341 Now the Lord said to Moses , "Cut out for yourself two stone tablets like the former ones , and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets which you shattered . 2 "So be ready by morning , and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai , and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain . 3 " No man is to come up with you, nor let any man be seen anywhere on the mountain ; even the flocks and the herds may not graze in front of that mountain ." 4 So he cut out two stone tablets like the former ones , and Moses rose up early in the morning and went up to Mount Sinai , as the Lord had commanded him, and he took two stone tablets in his hand .
5 The Lord descended in the cloud and stood there with him as he called upon the name of the Lord . 6 Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed , "The Lord , the Lord God , compassionate and gracious , slow to anger , and abounding in lovingkindness and truth ; 7 who keeps lovingkindness for thousands , who forgives iniquity , transgression and sin ; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished , visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." 8 Moses made haste to bow low toward the earth and worship . 9 He said , " If now I have found favor in Your sight , O Lord , I pray , let the Lord go along in our midst , even though the people are so obstinate e , and pardon our iniquity and our sin , and take us as Your own possession ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Exodus 34:1-9
Commentary on Exodus 34:1-4
(Read Exodus 34:1-4)
When God made man in his own image, the moral law was written in his heart, by the finger of God, without outward means. But since the covenant then made with man was broken, the Lord has used the ministry of men, both in writing the law in the Scriptures, and in writing it in the heart. When God was reconciled to the Israelites, he ordered the tables to be renewed, and wrote his law in them. Even under the gospel of peace by Christ, the moral law continues to bind believers. Though Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, yet not from the commands of it. The first and the best evidence of the pardon of sin, and peace with God, is the writing the law in the heart.
Commentary on Exodus 34:5-9
(Read Exodus 34:5-9)
The Lord descended by some open token of his presence and manifestation of his glory in a cloud, and thence proclaimed his NAME; that is, the perfections and character which are denoted by the name JEHOVAH. The Lord God is merciful; ready to forgive the sinner, and to relieve the needy. Gracious; kind, and ready to bestow undeserved benefits. Long-suffering; slow to anger, giving time for repentance, only punishing when it is needful. He is abundant in goodness and truth; even sinners receive the riches of his bounty abundantly, though they abuse them. All he reveals is infallible truth, all he promises is in faithfulness. Keeping mercy for thousands; he continually shows mercy to sinners, and has treasures, which cannot be exhausted, to the end of time. Forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin; his mercy and goodness reach to the full and free forgiveness of sin. And will by no means clear the guilty; the holiness and justice of God are part of his goodness and love towards all his creatures. In Christ's sufferings, the Divine holiness and justice are fully shown, and the evil of sin is made known. God's forgiving mercy is always attended by his converting, sanctifying grace. None are pardoned but those who repent and forsake the allowed practice of every sin; nor shall any escape, who abuse, neglect, or despise this great salvation. Moses bowed down, and worshipped reverently. Every perfection in the name of God, the believer may plead with Him for the forgiveness of his sins, the making holy of his heart, and the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom.