The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:12
Take heed to thyself lest thou make a covenant . See above, Exodus 23:32 A snare . See Exodus 23:33 . read more
Take heed to thyself lest thou make a covenant . See above, Exodus 23:32 A snare . See Exodus 23:33 . read more
Ye shall destroy their altars , etc. This command is more sweeping than the corresponding one in the "Book of the Covenant" ( Exodus 23:24 ), which expressly mentions only the "images." Here the destruction of idol-altars and idol-groves is further commanded. On idol-altars, see Numbers 23:1 , Numbers 23:29 ; 2:2 ; 1 Kings 16:32 ; 1 Kings 18:26 , etc. Groves are here for the first time mentioned. They appear to have been artificial constructions, either of wood or metal, or... read more
The precepts contained in these verses are, for the most part, identical in substance with some of those which follow the Ten Commandments and are recorded in “the Book of the covenant” (Exo. 20–23; see Exodus 24:7).Exodus 34:13Cut down their groves - This is the first reference to what is commonly known as grove-worship. The original word for “grove” in this connection אשׁרה 'ăshêrāh is different from that so rendered in Genesis 21:33. Our translators supposed that what the law commands is... read more
Exodus 34:11. Observe that which I command thee We cannot expect the benefit of the promises unless we make conscience of the precepts. The two great precepts are, 1st, Thou shalt worship no other gods A good reason is annexed; for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God As tender in the matters of his worship as the husband is of the honour of the marriage bed. 2d, Thou shalt make thee no molten gods Thou shalt not worship the true God by images. This was the sin they had... read more
Exodus 34:12. Take heed to thyself It is a sin thou art prone to, and that will easily beset thee; carefully abstain from all advances toward it; make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land If God, in kindness to them, drove out the Canaanites, they ought, in duty to God, not to harbour them: If they espoused their children, they would be in danger of espousing their gods. That they might not be tempted to make molten gods, they must utterly destroy those they found, and all that... read more
The covenant re-established (34:1-35)When the people first swore their faithfulness to the covenant, they promised to keep all its requirements (see 24:3-8), but in practice they failed badly. God in his grace would renew the covenant, and to this end he called Moses back up the mountain. His fresh revelation to Moses therefore emphasized his love and mercy, but it also reminded the people of his righteous justice. Moses, painfully aware of the Israelites’ weakness, appealed to the grace of... read more
images = sacred pillars. Compare Exodus 23:24 ; Exodus 24:4 , and note on Leviticus 26:1 . groves = Hebrew. 'asherah. First occurrence out of forty: always rendered "groves", but denotes a phallic image, worshipped by libidinous rites and lascivious practices See. App-42 . read more
"And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been wrought in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of Jehovah; for it is a terrible thing that I do with thee. Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant... read more
The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 34:11
Observe thou that which I command thee this day . The precepts expressly given ( Exodus 34:12-26 ) are, as observed above, almost wholly positive. The moral law did not require recapitulation, because it was enjoined on the people afresh by the writing on the two tables ( Exodus 34:28 ). I drive out before thee. Compare Exodus 3:8 , Exodus 3:17 ; Exodus 6:4 , Exodus 6:8 ; Exodus 13:5 , Exodus 13:11 ; Exodus 33:2 . read more