31 And Moses H4872 called H7121 unto them; and Aaron H175 and all the rulers H5387 of the congregation H5712 returned H7725 unto him: and Moses H4872 talked H1696 with them.
And Joseph H3130 said H559 unto his brethren, H251 I am Joseph; H3130 doth my father H1 yet live? H2416 And his brethren H251 could H3201 not answer H6030 him; for they were troubled H926 at his presence. H6440
Moreover he kissed H5401 all his brethren, H251 and wept H1058 upon them: and after H310 that his brethren H251 talked H1696 with him.
And God H430 said H559 moreover H5750 unto Moses, H4872 Thus shalt thou say H559 unto the children H1121 of Israel, H3478 The LORD H3068 God H430 of your fathers, H1 the God H430 of Abraham, H85 the God H430 of Isaac, H3327 and the God H430 of Jacob, H3290 hath sent H7971 me unto you: this is my name H8034 for ever, H5769 and this is my memorial H2143 unto all H1755 generations. H1755
And he said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Come up H5927 unto the LORD, H3068 thou, and Aaron, H175 Nadab, H5070 and Abihu, H30 and seventy H7657 of the elders H2205 of Israel; H3478 and worship H7812 ye afar off. H7350 And Moses H4872 alone shall come near H5066 the LORD: H3068 but they shall not come nigh; H5066 neither shall the people H5971 go up H5927 with him. And Moses H4872 came H935 and told H5608 the people H5971 all the words H1697 of the LORD, H3068 and all the judgments: H4941 and all the people H5971 answered H6030 with one H259 voice, H6963 and said, H559 All the words H1697 which the LORD H3068 hath said H1696 will we do. H6213
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on Exodus 34
Commentary on Exodus 34 Matthew Henry Commentary
Chapter 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:-
In all this God dealt with Moses as a public person, and mediator between him and Israel, and a type of the great Mediator.
Exd 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.
Exd 34:5-9
No sooner had Moses got to the top of the mount than God gave him the meeting (v. 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 met Moses at the door of the tabernacle. This cloud was to strike an awe upon Moses, that the familiarity he was admitted to might not breed contempt. The disciples feared, when they entered the cloud. His making a cloud his pavilion intimated that, though he made known much of himself, yet there was much more concealed. Now observe,
Exd 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 have all the glory. Here is,
Exd 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 in God always.
Exd 34:28-35
Here is,