Exodus 34 Reveals Jesus: The Name of the Lord, Covenant Mercy, and the Glory That Shines Through Christ
Exodus 34: The Glory of God Revealed in Jesus
Exodus 34 is not just about new tablets of stone.
It is about who God truly is — and that revelation reaches its fullness in Jesus Christ.
After the rebellion in Exodus 32 and the intimate encounter of glory in Exodus 33, God tells Moses to come up the mountain again. New tablets are cut. The covenant is renewed.
Grace comes after failure.
That is the gospel.
The Name of the Lord — Fully Revealed in Christ
In Exodus 34:6–7, God proclaims His name:
“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…”
This is one of the most important revelations in the entire Old Testament.
Merciful.
Gracious.
Slow to anger.
Abounding in steadfast love.
John 1:14 echoes this exact language:
“Full of grace and truth.”
That is not coincidence.
What God declares on Sinai…
He embodies in Jesus.
Exodus 34 is the Father announcing what the Son will perfectly display.
The Second Tablets: A Better Covenant
Moses brings up new stone tablets.
The first were broken because of sin (Exodus 32). The second represent restoration.
But stone still cannot change the heart.
Jeremiah would later prophesy of a new covenant where the law is written on hearts. Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 3 that believers are living letters — not written on stone, but by the Spirit.
Exodus 34 whispers what Jesus fulfills.
The old covenant was written on tablets.
The new covenant is sealed in His blood.
The Radiant Face of Moses
After speaking with God, Moses’ face shines.
The Hebrew idea implies rays of light.
But here is the key: Moses did not know his face was shining.
The glory was reflected, not inherent.
Paul contrasts this in 2 Corinthians 3: the glory on Moses’ face was fading.
But the glory in Christ does not fade.
Moses reflected glory.
Jesus radiates glory.
Hebrews 1:3 calls Christ “the radiance of the glory of God.”
Exodus 34 gives us a shadow.
Jesus is the substance.
The Veil and the Revelation
Moses places a veil over his face.
Paul explains that this veil symbolizes spiritual blindness under the old covenant.
But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.
Who removes the veil?
Christ.
The Spirit of the Lord brings freedom.
And where the Spirit is, there is unveiled glory.
Exodus 34 is not about a glowing prophet.
It is about the coming Messiah who would reveal the Father without a veil.
Why Exodus 34 Is All About Jesus
• The proclamation of God’s name → Fully revealed in Christ
• The second tablets → Restoration pointing to the new covenant
• The shining face → Glory fulfilled in Jesus
• The veil → Removed through the Spirit
• Covenant renewal → Ultimate fulfillment at the cross
If Exodus 32 shows our failure…
Exodus 33 shows our need for presence…
Exodus 34 shows the heart of God.
And that heart has a name: Jesus.
The mercy declared on Sinai is the mercy demonstrated at Calvary.
The glory that caused Moses to hide is the glory we now behold in the face of Christ.
Exodus is not ancient history.
It is preparation for the gospel.
Have you seen the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ?
Have you found Jesus among His verses?
Watch this short breakdown to SEE this chapter come to life
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