Exodus 34
Read Exodus 34
Helpful Background Information:
After the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, God instructed Moses to chisel two new stone tablets to replace the ones he had broken. Moses ascended Mount Sinai, where God met him in a cloud and proclaimed His name, revealing His character as merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love, and forgiving—but also just, not clearing the guilty. In response, Moses worshiped and pleaded with God to remain with the Israelites as they journeyed to the Promised Land.
God reaffirmed His covenant by writing His laws on the new tablets and promising to drive out the wicked nations before Israel, warning them not to make treaties or intermarry with the inhabitants of Canaan. The Israelites were commanded to destroy all forms of idolatry in the land and to faithfully observe sacred practices, including the Sabbath, the dedication of firstborns, and key feast days such as Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Ingathering. Moses remained on the mountain for forty days and nights without food or water as he received the Ten Commandments.
When he came down, his face shone brightly from being in God’s presence, which caused the people to fear approaching him. Moses taught them all that God had commanded, wearing a veil over his face afterward, but removing it whenever he went in to speak with the Lord. His radiant face served as a visible sign that the message he delivered was truly from God.
The Transfiguration was a very unique moment in the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. However, this event shares many parallels with Israel’s experience at Mt. Sinai. As seen with Jesus in the wilderness and his baptism, Mark is showing Jesus Christ to be the fulfillment of Old Testament Israel - the servant who was greater than any of the prophets from the Old Testament.
Reflection Questions:
List the similarities between Exodus 34 and Mark 9:1-13? What similarities do Jesus and Moses share? How is Jesus shown to be greater than Moses both in his status and actions?
The Transfiguration shows Jesus as the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets. How does this truth shape your understanding of the Old Testament? If you need more help answering this, look at Luke 24:44.
What does it mean to you that God is both merciful and just?
→ In what ways have you experienced God's mercy and forgiveness in your life, especially after times of failure or idolatry?