“And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.”
Context:In Exodus 34, Moses ascends Mount Sinai to meet with God and receive the tablets of stone containing the Ten Commandments. During this encounter, God reveals Himself to Moses profoundly and intimately. In the preceding verses (Exodus 34:6-7), God proclaims His name and describes His attributes: “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty.” This declaration highlights God’s compassionate and just nature.
Moses’ Response to God’s Revelation:Exodus 34:8 begins with Moses making haste and bowing his head toward the earth to worship. Moses’ reaction illustrates reverence and humility in the presence of God. This teaches us an essential aspect of our relationship with God: approaching Him with awe and worship. When we grasp the depth of God’s character, His mercy, grace, and truth, it should naturally lead us to worship and honour Him.
The Nature of God:Before Exodus 34:8, God reveals His divine attributes, emphasising His mercy, grace, patience, goodness, and truth. These qualities showcase the loving and compassionate nature of God. His willingness to forgive iniquity, transgression, and sin while also maintaining justice is an incredible testament to His character. This verse teaches us about God’s willingness to extend forgiveness and grace to those who genuinely seek Him.
God’s Desire for Worship:God’s revelation to Moses and His declaration of His name and attributes exemplify His desire for a relationship with humanity. He longs for people to worship Him and recognise His authority and love. True worship involves acknowledging God’s attributes and submitting to His lordship in our lives. Moses’ response of worship becomes an example for us, emphasising that we should respond to God’s revelation with adoration and humility.
Immediate Obedience:The phrase “Moses made haste” highlights the urgency in Moses’ response. When God reveals Himself to us, and we recognise His attributes and commands, we should respond promptly with obedience. Moses’ quick and reverent reaction teaches us that encountering God’s presence should lead to an immediate desire to follow His will.
Application to Our Lives:As we study this verse, we can reflect on our responses to God’s revelations in our lives. Do we approach God with humility and worship when we recognise His attributes and character? Are we quick to obey His commands and seek forgiveness when we stumble? This verse encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of God’s nature and respond to Him with reverence and obedience in our daily lives.
