Exodus 34

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 34

God having in the foregoing chapter intimated to Moses his reconciliation to Israel, here gives proofs of it, proceeding to settle his covenant and communion with them. Four instances of the return of his favour we have in this chapter:?I. The orders he gives to Moses to come up to the mount, the next morning, and bring two tables of stone with him, Exod. 34:1-4. II. His meeting him there, and the proclamation of his name, Exod. 34:5-9. III. The instructions he gave him there, and his converse... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 34:1-4

The treaty that was on foot between God and Israel being broken off abruptly, by their worshipping the golden calf, when peace was made all must be begun anew, not where they left off, but from the beginning. Thus backsliders must repent, and do their first works, Rev. 2:5. I. Moses must prepare for the renewing of the tables, Exod. 34:1. Before, God himself provided the tables, and wrote on them; now, Moses must hew out the tables, and God would only write upon them. Thus, in the first... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 34:5-9

No sooner had Moses got to the top of the mount than God gave him the meeting (Exod. 34:5): The Lord descended, by some sensible token of his presence, and manifestation of his glory. His descending bespeaks his condescension; he humbles himself to take cognizance of those that humble themselves to walk with him. Ps. 113:6; Lord, what is man, that he should be thus visited? He descended in the cloud, probably that pillar of cloud which had hitherto gone before Israel, and had the day before... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 34:10-17

Reconciliation being made, a covenant of friendship is here settled between God and Israel. The traitors are not only pardoned, but preferred and made favourites again. Well may the assurances of this be ushered in with a behold, a word commanding attention and admiration: Behold, I make a covenant. When the covenant was broken, it was Israel that broke it; now that it comes to be renewed, it is God that makes it. If there be quarrels, we must bear all the blame; if there be peace, God must... read more

Matthew Henry

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 34:28-35

Here is, I. The continuance of Moses in the mount, where he was miraculously sustained, Exod. 34:28. He was there in very intimate communion with God, without interruption, forty days and forty nights, and did not think it long. When we are weary of an hour or two spent in attendance upon God and adoration of him, we should think how many days and nights Moses spent with him, and of the eternal day we hope to spend in praising him. During all this time Moses did neither eat nor drink. Though... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 34

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 34 In this chapter Moses has orders to hew two tables of stone, that God might write on them the ten commands, and bring them up with him to the mount, Exodus 34:1 where the Lord proclaimed his name, and caused his glory and his goodness to pass before him, Exodus 34:5 when Moses took this favourable opportunity that offered to pray for the people, that God would forgive their sin, and go along with them, Exodus 34:8 upon which he made a covenant with them,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 34:1

And the Lord said unto Moses ,.... Out of the cloudy pillar, at the door of the tabernacle, where he had been conversing with him in the most friendly manner, as related in the preceding chapter: hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first ; of the same form, and of the same dimensions, and it may be of the same sort of stone, which perhaps was marble, there being great plenty of that kind on Mount Sinai. Now Moses being ordered to hew these tables, whereas the former were the work... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 34:2

And be ready in the morning ,.... This was, according to the Jewish chronology F5 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 6. p. 19. , on the twenty eighth day of the month Ab or July: and come up in the morning unto Mount Sinai ; the same mount where he had been before: and present thyself there to me on the top of the mount ; where the pillar of cloud removed and stood, and near it Moses was to stand and wait to hear what would be said unto him, and to see what would be made to pass before him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 34:3

And no man shall come up with thee ,.... Before, Aaron and his two sons, and the seventy elders of Israel, went up with Moses, though they did not go so near the Lord as he did; but now having sinned in the matter of the golden calf, though a reconciliation was made, they were not allowed to go with him, nor even Joshua his servant, though he had no concern in the sin; Moses must be alone, that the ministration of the law might be by him only, and in order to receive a peculiar favour in... read more

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