What does Exodus 34:13 Mean?

Context Summary

Before we can behold the vision of Eternal Love we must be willing to fulfill three conditions: (1) Earliness: "My soul, be ready in the morning." (2) Solitude: "No man shall come up with thee." (3) The open heart: "That God may write there what He will." God is always passing by and covering us with the shadow of His hand, and proclaiming His loving kindness and tender mercy. He keeps mercy for thousands, and limits the entail of sin to the third and fourth generation.

Whenever we get near to God we should begin to think of and pray for others. As the last notes of the divine procession were dying away Moses bowed his head and worshiped, saying, "Let the Lord go in the middle of us and forgive." It was as though he said, "If thou art a God like that, thou art the God that stiff-necked people need. Go with us, therefore, for thou canst bear with us." He went on to ask that they might be pardoned, and that God would account them His heritage. His request was more than granted! God entered into covenant with them and promised to drive out their enemies on conditions which He proceeded to enumerate.

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Chapter Summary: Exodus 34

¹  The tablets are replaced
⁵  The name of the Lord proclaimed
⁸  Moses entreats God to go with them
¹⁰  God makes a covenant with them, repeating certain duties
²⁸  Moses after forty days on the mount, comes down with the tablets
²⁹  His face is radiant, and he covers it with a veil