Exodus 34:1-9 (NRSV)
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Chapter 34The Lord said to Moses, "Cut two tablets of stone like the former ones, and I will write on the tablets the words that were on the former tablets, which you broke. Verse 2Be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai and present yourself there to me, on the top of the mountain. Verse 3No one shall come up with you, and do not let anyone be seen throughout all the mountain; and do not let flocks or herds graze in front of that mountain." Verse 4So Moses cut two tablets of stone like the former ones; and he rose early in the morning and went up on Mount Sinai, as the Lord had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tablets of stone.
Verse 5The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name, "The Lord." Verse 6The Lord passed before him, and proclaimed, "The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, Verse 7keeping steadfast love for the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means clearing the guilty, but visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation." Verse 8And Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. Verse 9He said, "If now I have found favor in your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance."
Devotion
It is Israel’s second chance that we see offered in Exodus 34. God’s very speech is an act of forgiveness. Once more God gives the words of covenant to God’s people. This is who I am, God says. I am the one you can count on, period. I love my people and I do not love injustice or evil done to or by them. Moses knew that God was in the same moment forgiving the people and making a covenant with them. No wonder he worshiped God! Such generosity and steadfastness exceed human imagining, even as they address our deep longing.
Prayer
Faithful God, you claim us as your own and do not let us go. Help us to recognize your persistence as love. Lead us in faithful love and service, especially of all who suffer in body, mind, spirit, and the deep griefs of war. Amen.