Matthew Henry’s Modern English CommentaryExodus 34

Exodus 34:1-4: God's Proclamation of Himself After the Israelites’ sin with the golden calf, the relationship between God and Israel had to be restored from the beginning, not just continued from where it stopped. God tells Moses to prepare new stone tablets so the commandments can be rewritten. This shows that when people turn back to God after failing, they must start fresh and truly repent. God’s renewal of the covenant also teaches us that forgiveness and a new start are possible, but God’s law still remains important.v. 1: God commands Moses to prepare two new stone tablets like the first ones (v. 1 ). Before, God provided both the stone and the writing; now Moses must provide the tablets, but God will still write the commandments Himself. This shows that after sin, people have a part to play in preparing themselves for God’s word. Still, it is God’s Spirit who writes His law in our hearts (Heb. viii. 10 ). When God forgives, He renews His law in us, just as He renewed the tablets for Israel.

v. 2: Moses is told to come up Mount Sinai again and present himself to God (v. 2 ). Even though the people had sinned before when Moses was gone, God does not change His plan. Moses must wait for God on the mountain, showing that we must be patient and willing to seek God, even after failure.

v. 3: No one else is allowed to go up with Moses or even be seen on the mountain (v. 3 ). This keeps the people at a respectful distance and reminds them that meeting with God is special and serious.

v. 4: Moses obeys, rises early, and prepares the stone tablets, then goes up to Mount Sinai as God commanded (v. 4 ). He shows eagerness and obedience, reminding us that we should not delay in coming to God when He calls us.

Exodus 34:5-9: God’s Proclamation of Himself In this passage, God meets Moses on Mount Sinai and reveals His character through a special proclamation. God describes Himself as both great and good, full of mercy and truth, but also just. Moses responds with deep respect and prayer, asking God to remain with Israel, forgive their sins, and make them His special people. This moment shows that even after failure, God is willing to reveal His goodness and renew His relationship with those who repent.v. 5: As soon as Moses reaches the top of the mountain, God comes down in a cloud to meet him (v. 5 ). The cloud is a sign of God’s glory and presence. It also reminds Moses to have awe and respect, because while God reveals Himself, much about Him remains hidden. God’s willingness to come down shows His kindness to those who humble themselves (Ps. cxiii. 6 ).

v. 6-7: God proclaims His name, describing Himself as the Lord

v. 8: Moses immediately bows down to the ground and worships God (v. 8 ). He shows deep respect, joy, and thankfulness for this revelation. Moses accepts God’s justice and mercy and puts himself and all Israel under God’s rule.

v. 9: Moses prays and asks God to go with the people, forgive their sins, and make them His special inheritance (v. 9 ). Even though the people are stubborn, Moses says they need God’s presence even more. He asks God to show mercy, not only to them but also to their descendants, and to keep Israel as His chosen people.

Exodus 34:10-17: A Caution Against Idolatry After God forgives the people, He makes a new covenant with Israel. God promises to do amazing things for them, but He also warns them to stay away from idolatry. The Israelites are told to keep God’s commands carefully and not to mix with the people or the idols of Canaan. God’s kindness in renewing the covenant is matched by His seriousness about holiness and worship. The people must never forget how easily they fell before, and they must be careful not to repeat those sins.v. 10-11: God promises to do wonders for Israel that have never been seen before (v. 10, 11 ). He will drive out the nations living in Canaan and show His power in ways that will amaze both Israel and their enemies (Ps. xcviii. 1 ). God’s miracles will confirm His covenant and cause others to fear Him.

v. 12: God warns Israel not to make any agreements with the people in the land (v. 12 ). If they do, those people could lead Israel into idolatry. God’s people are to be separate from those who worship other gods.

v. 13: The Israelites are told to destroy the altars and sacred places of the Canaanites (v. 13 ). Leaving anything that belongs to idol worship could tempt Israel to copy those ways. God wants all traces of idolatry removed from the land.

v. 14: God commands them to worship only Him, because He is a jealous God (v. 14 ). He will not share His glory with any false gods. Giving worship to anyone or anything else is dangerous and leads to God’s anger (Prov. vi. 34 ).

v. 15-16: God warns them not to intermarry with the people of the land, because these relationships could lead them to worship other gods (v. 15, 16 ). Mixing with idolaters is dangerous, since the bad influence can cause them to fall away from God.

v. 17: God repeats the command not to make any idols or molten gods (v. 17 ). This was the sin they had just committed, so God especially warns them to never do it again.

Exodus 34:18-28: Solemn Feasts Appointed In this passage, God repeats instructions about the special feasts and religious practices the Israelites must observe. These reminders come soon after the people sinned by making the golden calf and holding a false feast. Now, God emphasizes that true joy and celebration should come from obeying His commands and attending the feasts He has chosen. God’s way provides real happiness, and following His rules protects the people from straying into idolatry again.v. 18-20: God reminds them to keep the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which celebrate their escape from Egypt (v. 18-20 ). He also repeats the law about redeeming the firstborn, showing that the people and all they have belong to God. These rules had already been given before (ch. xii. 13; ch. xxiii. 15 ).

v. 21: God commands the Israelites to rest every week on the Sabbath, even during busy times like planting and harvest (v. 21 ). This teaches them to put God first and trust Him to take care of their needs, even when work seems urgent.

v. 22: Three times a year, the Israelites are to hold special feasts: the Feast of Weeks (Pentecost) and the Feast of Ingathering (Tabernacles) at the end of the year, as well as the Passover (v. 22; ch. xxiii. 16 ). These feasts help the people remember what God has done for them and bring the community together in worship.

v. 23-24: All the men of Israel must appear before God three times a year (v. 23 ). God promises to protect their land and families while they are away worshipping Him (v. 24 ). This shows that trusting and obeying God is always the safest choice, even if it seems risky.

v. 25-26: God repeats some special rules for the feasts. No yeast is to be used with sacrifices at Passover, and the people must bring the best of their first harvest to God (v. 25, 26 ). They are also reminded not to cook a young goat in its mother’s milk, which may have been a pagan custom.

v. 27: God tells Moses to write down these laws (v. 27 ). By writing them, the people can read and remember them, and future generations can learn God’s commands too.Moses stays with God on the mountain for forty days and nights, without eating or drinking (v. 28 ). During this time, God writes the commandments on the new tablets, renewing His covenant with Israel. This shows how important these laws and this relationship are to God and His people.

Exodus 34:28-35: The Veil of Moses This passage describes how Moses spent forty days and nights on Mount Sinai in close communion with God. During this time, he was miraculously sustained without food or water. When he came down, he brought the two new tablets of the law. Moses’ face was shining from being with God, which amazed and even frightened the Israelites. Because of this, Moses covered his face with a veil whenever he spoke to the people, but removed it when speaking with God. This event shows both the honor given to Moses as the mediator and the limitations of the old covenant, which would later be fulfilled and surpassed by Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 3:13-18 ).v. 28: Moses stayed on the mountain with God for forty days and forty nights without eating or drinking ( ). God’s power supported Moses, so he did not need normal food or water. This was a special experience, showing that a person’s life depends on God more than on bread ( ). The spiritual joy and satisfaction Moses received from being with God made him forget his physical needs. Moses, Elijah, and Jesus all fasted for forty days in the Bible (; ), showing the importance of focusing on God instead of earthly pleasures.

v. 29: When Moses came down from the mountain, he carried the two tablets of the law, written by God, which was a great treasure for Israel ( ). His face was shining because he had been speaking with God. This shining was a visible sign that Moses had been in God’s presence and that God had accepted him as the people’s mediator. Moses did not realize that his face was shining. Sometimes, people who have true grace or special gifts from God do not notice it themselves, but others can see it. This teaches us to be humble, even when God gives us special honors or abilities.

v. 30: Aaron and the Israelites saw that Moses’ face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him ( ). The light from his face made them feel awe and fear, probably because they remembered their past sins and were not sure if this was a sign of God’s favor or anger. True holiness often makes others feel respect, but those who feel guilty may also be afraid of what is actually a blessing for them.

v. 33: When Moses finished speaking with the people, he put a veil over his face ( ). This teaches us to be modest and not to show off the honors or gifts God gives us. We should not try to gain attention or praise from others. For leaders and teachers, it is important to communicate in ways that people can understand and handle. The veil also symbolized that the full meaning of God’s law was hidden at that time and would only be fully revealed later through Jesus Christ ( ).

v. 34: Whenever Moses went in before the Lord

v. 35: When Moses came out and told the Israelites what God had commanded, they saw that his face was shining, and then he would put the veil back on until the next time he spoke with God ( ). This pattern showed respect for the people’s fear and helped them focus on the message Moses brought from God, not just the miracle of his shining face. It also pointed forward to the greater glory and openness that would come through Christ.