In
response to Moses’ intercession, God promised to renew His covenant with them.
This, of course, was not something new. This gracious and compassionate God had
said right at the onset that they would be His people. Despite their sin, He,
the forgiving God, would forgive them. He even claimed them to be His own
possession. God would do what He had promised because He had never made a
promise that He would not keep. It is in His nature to fulfil all that He says
He will do. Remember the first set of stone tablets with the inscriptions
of the Ten Commandments were shattered by Moses. It was when he saw how out of
control the people were before the golden calf. So, for the covenant to remain
effectual, God told him to bring up a new set of stones for Him to rewrite the
Ten Commandments. Moses did as he was instructed. So, in Exodus 34:28, we are
told that God re-wrote the same Ten Commandments on the two new tablets of
stone that Moses brought up to Mount Sinai.
This must have been very comforting to the people
for it showed that God was still committed to the covenant. He was still
willing to remain their God so that they could be His people even though they
had wickedly sinned against Him. This is the extent of His grace. Here we are
given to know the one reason God was doing this. It was for His own glory. So
He stated His purpose by saying “Before
all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced
in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among
whom you live will see the working of the Lord, for it is a fearful thing
that I am going to perform with you.” God not only wanted Israel to see His
glory but also wanted all the nations to see how majestic and truly He had been
and ever will be.
In
this verse He also spoke about performing miracles. Hasn’t He been working
miracles? His encounters with His people, there were countless great
miracles He had performed. The burning bush which was not consumed by its fire,
the dreadful plagues om the Egyptians, the death of all the firstborns of
Egypt, the opening of the Red Sea, the annihilation of Pharaoh’s pursuing army,
the miraculous provisions of both food and water in the wilderness, the
mysterious leading of the pillars of cloud and fire, and etc. Here He specifically
said that He would perform miracles in such a way that the nations would
marvel. His would show Himself strong by powerfully working on His people’s
behalf. His favour showered on the people He had chosen would be so visible
among the nations that His glory would be seen by them too.
Today
God still wants to be glorified among the nations. His one purpose was for the
world to see His glory. So, He sent His Son so that His purpose could be
accomplished. He is still drawing people out of darkness through the
accomplished work of Calvary. He is still building a people to declare the
light of His marvellous Kingdom. So that His glory may be manifested throughout
the earth. When we the church understands this purpose, we shall be the
greatest force on earth. To God be the glory!
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