Exodus 34 records Moses returning to Mount Sinai with two new stone tablets after the golden calf incident, where the LORD renews the covenant, proclaims His own character, and sends Moses down with a shining face. This page gives you questions and leader’s notes for a small group, a Sunday class, or personal study. Each section moves from what the text says, to what it means, to how it shapes daily life.
Exodus 34 at a Glance
The chapter opens with God telling Moses to cut two tablets and come up the mountain alone, which sets up a renewal rather than a replacement of the broken covenant. In the middle, the LORD passes before Moses and names Himself in terms of mercy, grace, patience, and faithfulness, while also declaring that He does not leave guilt unaddressed. Moses responds by asking that God go among a stiff-necked people, and the LORD answers with a fresh covenant, a list of commands about worship and festivals, and a final scene in which Moses’s face shines so brightly that he must wear a veil.
Observation Questions
Use these first to make sure everyone has the basic facts of the chapter in front of them before anyone offers an opinion. Ask people to point to the verse where each answer is found, and let them read it aloud if they can. Keep the discussion close to the words on the page at this stage.
Exodus 34:6-7
6 The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD! The LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, 7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”
(WEB)
This is the central self-description of God in the chapter, and reading it aloud lets the group hear the balance of mercy and justice in His own words. It is worth reading slowly so that the phrases about loving kindness and forgiveness are not rushed past.
Exodus 34:9
He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go among us; although this is a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
(WEB)
Moses’s request in this verse is an honest plea from a leader who knows the people’s failings. Reading it aloud helps the group see prayer as an act of asking God to remain with a flawed community.
Exodus 34:14
For you shall worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
(WEB)
This verse names the LORD as a jealous God and grounds the warning against other gods in His exclusive claim. Reading it in the session prepares the discussion about rival loyalties and wholehearted devotion.
Exodus 34:29-30
29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mountain, Moses didn’t know that the skin of his face shone by reason of his speaking with him. 30 When Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him.
(WEB)
These verses describe the shining face of Moses and the fear of the people, which sets up the veil scene. Reading them aloud helps the group picture the moment and consider what it means to be near God’s glory.
Exodus 34:33-35
33 When Moses was done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and he came out, and spoke to the children of Israel that which he was commanded. 35 The children of Israel saw Moses’ face, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him.
(WEB)
The veil and its removal close the chapter with an image of intimacy and protection. Reading this passage at the end of the session gives the group a concrete picture to carry into their closing reflection.
Memory Verse for Exodus 34
Exodus 34:6
The LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, “The LORD! The LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth…
(WEB)
This verse opens the LORD’s proclamation of His own character, and it is a strong verse to memorize because it summarizes God’s nature in a few words. Encourage members to repeat it during the week and notice how it shapes their understanding of God’s dealings with them.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we come to you as the people of Israel once came, needing a fresh start and a renewed covenant. Thank you for being merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth. Forgive the ways we have turned to other loyalties and failed to trust you with our whole hearts. Help us to remain close to you, so that our lives reflect your presence even when we do not notice it. Teach us to rest in your mercy and walk faithfully in your ways. Amen.
