Time for a New Beginning
Opening Prayer
Ask God to reveal how he feels about you, what he wants to do in your life, and what tasks he has for you.
Read Exodus 34:1-14
[1] The LORD said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. [2] Be ready in the morning, and then come up on Mount Sinai. Present yourself to me there on top of the mountain. [3] No one is to come with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain; not even the flocks and herds may graze in front of the mountain.” [4] So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. [5] Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. [6] 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, [7] 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 parents to the third and fourth generation.” [8] Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. [9] “Lord,” he said, “if I have found favor in your eyes, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” [10] Then the LORD said: “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the LORD, will do for you. [11] Obey what I command you today. I will drive out before you the Amorites, Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. [12] Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you. [13] Break down their altars, smash their sacred stones and cut down their Asherah poles. [14] Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does God describe himself to Moses?Moses is a remarkable man. Already eighty years old, he has to prepare another set of stone tablets and climb the mountain again–alone (3). But he is given the most extraordinary experience: a new understanding of the character of the Lord himself. The proclamations in 6 and 7 are a new expression of the reality of who God is. His redeeming love is paired with his holiness: compassion and justice go hand in hand. Faced with this new understanding of God, Moses responds in worship. Amazingly, he isn’t overcome but rather continues to make his case. In addition to asking for the Lord’s forgiveness and persisting in asking for his presence with his people, Moses goes one step further. What do you think he means when he asks the Lord to “take us as your inheritance” (9)? The contents of the new covenant demonstrate that God still wants to be present with his people. His redeeming plan for the world is back on course.
Apply
In what area of your life do you need a new beginning? What is it about God that gives you confidence?
Closing prayer
Turn verses 6 and 7 into a prayer of thanks to the Lord for who he is and what he has done.
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