Every firstling of an ass thou shalt redeem ,.... This goes along with the former; see Gill on Exodus 13:13 , and none shall appear before me empty ; at the grand festivals, the passover, pentecost, and tabernacles; see Gill on Exodus 13:15 . read more
Renewal of the tables, and fourth intercession. One more mighty effort of intercession, and Moses will bear away the blessing which he seeks. It needs, however, that it be a mighty one. The covenant is not yet restored in its integrity. The people's sin is not yet perfectly forgiven. God, indeed, has promised to go with them, but he has not said, as of old, " I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God" ( Exodus 6:7 ). The new relations are not those of perfected... read more
1 . That he would go up with them; 2 . That he would pardon them; and 3 . That he would once more take them as his inheritance ( Exodus 34:9 ). Without replying separately to these requests, God formally renews the covenant; promises not only to go up with the people, but to work miracles for them ( Exodus 34:10 ), and to drive out the nations before them when they have arrived ( Exodus 34:11 ); and makes a brief summary of the chief points of positive observance, which he... read more
The covenant renewed. That God should have consented to renew the covenant with Israel after it had been violated so flagrantly is evidence of two things: 1 . His faithfulness towards his true followers, which makes him "merciful unto thousands of those that love him," and renders him tender to the children for the sake of the fathers; 2 . The value that he sets on intercessory prayer, when offered earnestly by a believer. In the renewal itself we may notice:— I. THAT THE ... read more
Revived obligations. Former instructions are renewed; only, however, so far as relates to the duties of religion. Renewal of the civil code was not required. Subject to this limit, the new book of the covenant ( Exodus 34:27 ) revives, supplements, expands, and endorses the teachings and precepts of the old one. We have in it— I. PROMISE ( Exodus 34:10 , Exodus 34:11 ). God, as on the former occasion ( Exodus 23:23-30 ), pledges himself to drive out all their enemies. The... read more
All that openeth the matrix is mine , etc. This is a repetition of the command given in Exodus 13:12 , Exodus 13:13 , which had not been inserted in the "Book of the Covenant." It is again enjoined in Le 27:26, 27. None shall appear before me empty. Repeated from Exodus 23:15 . 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
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
redeem . Hebrew. padah. See note on Exodus 6:6 , and Exodus 13:13 . appear before Me. This is an alteration (in pointing) made by the Sopherim to soften the Figure of speech Anthropopatheia ( App-6 ) of the primitive text, which was "see My face". See note on Exodus 23:15 , and compare the other passages where this change is made, viz. Exodus 34:20 , Exodus 34:23 , Exodus 34:24 .Deuteronomy 16:16 ; Deuteronomy 31:11 .Psalms 11:7 ; Psalms 17:15 ; Psalms 42:2 .Isaiah 1:12 ; Isaiah 38:1 Isaiah... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 34:18-27
Here is a repetition of several appointments made before, especially relating to their solemn feasts. When they had made the calf, they proclaimed a feast in honour of it; now, that they might never do so again, they are here charged with the observance of the feasts which God had instituted. Note, Men need not be drawn from their religion by the temptation of mirth, for we serve a Master that has abundantly provided for the joy of his servants: serious godliness is a continual feast, and joy... read more