The Explanation

Moses had broken the first two stone tablets. He was so angry when he saw the people worshiping a golden calf. Now God said, "Chisel two new tablets, like the first ones. Come up the mountain again, and meet me there."

So Moses got up early in the morning. He climbed Mount Sinai again, carrying two heavy stone tablets in his hands. No one else was allowed to come this time. Not even sheep or cows could graze near that mountain.

Then something amazing happened. God came down in a cloud and stood right there with Moses. And God said his own name out loud. He said, "Yahweh, Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and full of loving kindness and truth." God also said he forgives wrongdoing, but he will not simply pretend sin never happened.

What would you do if you heard God say his own name like that? Moses did not run away. He bowed his head to the ground and worshiped. Then he prayed boldly, "Please, Lord, go with us. We are a stubborn people, but forgive us. Make us your own."

God answered with a promise. He would do wonders no nation had ever seen. But the people had to obey him only, tear down the altars of false gods, and never bow to idols made of gold or wood. God called himself Jealous, because he wanted his people's whole heart, not divided between him and false gods.

God gave Moses commands again: keep the feast of unleavened bread, rest on the seventh day, bring the firstfruits of the harvest. Moses stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. He did not eat bread or drink water the whole time. Then he wrote the ten commandments on the new tablets.

What Does This Mean?

When Moses came down the mountain, his face was shining bright. He did not even know it. But Aaron and the people saw it and were afraid to come close. Moses had to call them near before they dared to come.

This shining face showed something wonderful. Moses had been close to God, and something of God's glory stayed on him. After Moses spoke to the people, he put a veil over his face. Whenever he went back to talk with God, he took the veil off again.

The Common Thread

God told Moses his own name: merciful, patient, full of love, but also just. This is the same God we meet in Jesus. Jesus once said no one has seen the Father, except the Son who came from him. In Jesus we see God's face without a veil, full of grace and truth.

For You

Have you ever done something wrong and felt afraid to come close to someone? Moses prayed boldly even though the people had sinned badly. You can pray boldly too, even after you mess up. Tell God what is wrong, and ask him to forgive you, just like Moses did.

You could also think about one thing you love more than God sometimes, maybe a toy, a game, or being first. Tell God about that today, and ask him to help you love him most.

Talk About It

Why do you think Moses was not afraid when he heard God's name, but the people were afraid of his shining face?

What does it mean that God is "slow to anger" and full of "loving kindness"? Can you think of a time someone was patient with you?

Praying Together

Dear God, thank you that you are patient and full of love. Thank you that we can come close to you, even when we have done wrong. Help us to love you with our whole heart, and not chase after other things. Thank you for Jesus, who shows us your face. Amen.