Exodus 34:10

And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the Lord: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.

Exodus 34:10 (KJV)

Context

In Exodus 34, Moses had just received the second set of stone tablets containing the Ten Commandments. This chapter follows the incident of the golden calf, when the Israelites broke their covenant with God and turned to idolatry. Moses interceded for the people, and God, in His mercy, granted them another chance and renewed the covenant with them. This renewal is not a small event. It comes right after the people’s worst failure, showing that God’s grace reaches further than human sin.

Meaning

God Himself initiates this covenant. He tells Moses, “I make a covenant,” showing that the renewal comes from His own grace, not from human effort. The word “marvels” points to extraordinary, awe-inspiring acts that have never been seen before in all the earth or among any nation. These wonders are not hidden or private; all the people among whom Israel lives will see the work of the LORD. The phrase “terrible thing” does not mean something evil or frightening in a negative sense. It means awe-inspiring and majestic, evoking reverence and wonder at God’s power and holiness. The Hebrew word behind it carries the sense of that which makes people tremble, not from terror alone, but from the weight of God’s presence. God’s actions are meant to be seen. They are public, undeniable, and they display His glory to the nations. This is not a quiet promise for Israel only; it is a demonstration of God’s sovereign power before the whole world.

Biblical connections

This covenant renewal echoes God’s earlier promises to Abraham and the patriarchs, showing His faithfulness even after Israel’s sin. The public nature of God’s marvels also connects to His purpose that all nations may know that He is the LORD, as seen in Exodus 9:16. The “terrible” works of God call for a response of holy fear, which Scripture elsewhere links to the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This fear is not the fear of punishment, but the reverence that recognizes who God is and who we are. It is the proper posture of a creature before the Creator. The covenant God makes here is not a new invention; it is a continuation of His faithful purpose, even when His people have been unfaithful.

Application

God’s covenant faithfulness does not depend on our merit but on His character. Even after failure and disobedience, He remains loving and long-suffering. We can trust in His sovereign power to accomplish the impossible and to intervene on our behalf. The visible works of God in our lives serve as a testimony to others of His presence and saving grace. Our transformed lives, through the Holy Spirit, can point the world to Him. When we stumble, we do not need to earn our way back. We can come to God with humility, knowing that He is ready to renew His work in us. His promises stand firm, not because we are strong, but because He is faithful.

Reflection

Recognizing the awe-inspiring nature of God’s works leads us to approach Him with reverence and humility. Understanding His greatness should evoke worship and deep respect in our hearts. This verse encourages us to trust in God’s promises, even after we have stumbled, and to remember that His work is often public and undeniable, meant to display His glory. Let us respond with awe and obedience, knowing that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. God’s mercy is not a small thing. It is a mighty act that deserves our whole lives in response.