Exodus 34:1-7

Read Exodus 34:1-7

Helpful Background Information: 

• As indicated in Exodus 34:1, this isn’t the first time that Moses received the 10 Commandments. To find the first time, we would need to go back to Exodus 20. From chapter 20-31, the LORD gives Moses the 10 Commandments, many laws about how Israel was to conduct themselves in the Promised Land, and how to build the tabernacle and all the things to go inside it. 

• In Exodus 32, we learn that Moses has been on the mountain talking with God for a long time and the Israelites want to make a golden calf who would lead them. Once Moses came down the mountain he saw the calf and “Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain” (32:19). 

• When Moses didn’t want to go to the Promised Land without God, he cried out “Please show me now your ways, so that I may know you in order to find favor in your sight” (33:13). God responds with “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (33:14). Moses says “Please show me your glory” (33:18) and God lets all of His goodness pass before Moses (33:19-23). By this point in Moses’s life,  he knew how big the God he served was. His relationship with God had changed over the years and we can see that in how Moses talks with Him. 

• In chapter 34- this week's reading, the LORD proclaims truths about himself and makes clear who He is and what His heart is for. David uses these same words in Psalm 103:6-12.

Reflection Questions: 

• Write out the different words God uses to proclaim Himself in verses 6-7 and write the definitions of these words. Take these words back to our story of Jonah and write out the times God was who He said he was. What do you notice?

• When the people around Moses and Jonah were hard to love, how did these men respond? How did the Lord respond back to Moses and Jonah? How should this change how you respond to others?

• Which character do you identify with more- Moses or Jonah? How can you stand before God this week and say, ‘please show me’…? What would you add in next?