Chapter 34; Exodus, The New Stone Tablets After the events stemming from the actions of the

Israelites in Chapter 32 and the conversations between Moses and God in Chapter 33; this chapter begins a new slate. The first statement in this chapter is the Lord speaking to Moses and instructing him to bring two tablets of stone to Mt. Sinai and God will once again give the Ten Commandments. Moses goes alone to meet with God and the conversations and lessons I learned going through this particular grouping of verses was spiritually uplifting. Beginning in verse 6, I enjoyed reading Gods proclamation, And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming,

The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.
First of all, I am so appreciative that God is loving and forgiving. God is holy and I am a frail, human being. I sin daily. God has patience and loves me because I am His child. He gives me second chances when I dont deserve them. But because he loves me doesnt mean I wont suffer consequences for my sinful behavior. The latter part of this scripture has always bothered me; that when sin occurs it could be extended to future generations. Recently, I heard the pastor of my church preach on this verse and he explained that this declaration was made for those who remain unrepentant of their sins, not those who experience a heartfelt repentance. As found in the book of Joel, chapter 2, verses 12& 13; Even now, declares the Lord, return to me with all

your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend (cause distress to the heart or emotions) your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Secondly, in verse 10 God is making a covenant with Moses and future generations. God will provide miracles and drive out all the surrounding pagan worshipping peoples (Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites). God instructs when the Israelites overtake these peoples all their pagan altars, treaties and invitations to eat of their sacrifices must be refused and destroyed. Why? Because we cannot mingle with the

world and not be affected. We have to be separate. We are called to be different.

Third, no longer think about casting idols. We cannot worship God and the things of this

world.
Fourth, continue to celebrate the Feasts outlined (Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of Weeks, Feast of Ingathering). The Feast of Unleavened Bread instructed the Israelites not to include yeast in their dough for seven days. Yeast symbolized the irritation and agitation the world brings into a life dedicated to God. Once yeast (the world) is

inserted into a life set apart for Christ, it will permeate throughout that life affecting every action, every deed, every word.
These feasts also included the giving of the firstfruits to God. Arent we to give the first of everything we have to the Lord? Why do we hold back as if it were ours to give? Everything we are, own and have is due to the goodness and graciousness of our Lord. After being with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, not eating or drinking (physically) but spiritually communing with the Father, Moses returned to the Israelites. Was there a difference in Moses? His face was radiant. Moses didnt realize that his countenance was different. In fact, Moses had to place a veil over his face due to its brilliance. This event is also recorded in II Corinthians, Chapter 3 beginning with verse 7. However, Id like to end this lesson quoting some of those verses from Corinthians. It speaks to the condition of hearts today and what we, as Christians, are to be demonstrating through our belief in Jesus Christ and in our daily testimony. Even to this

day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lords glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. Only then, can we be the witnesses God calls
us to bewhen we truly reflect the Lords glory!

Thank you, Lord Jesus Christ, for giving your life and forever removing the thick veil in the tabernacle that separated us from the mercy seat, the dwelling place of God. As our ultimate mediator, please draw us so closely to you that we will indeed reflect the glory of God so that others will see Jesus in us; the bright Light that will never fade! In whose name, I pray, Amen!