READ: Ex. 34:10–17: … Behold, I make a covenant … I will do marvels … an awesome thing … You shall worship no other god …
The LORD reveals Himself to Moses as a merciful God who delights in forgiving, but who also expects His people to live out of that forgiveness. Therefore He renews the covenant (v.10), by which the covenant of grace is restored and continued. This covenant, too, is solely an initiative of the LORD.
Extraordinary promises are attached to it. The LORD promises to perform awe-inspiring wonders by Himself driving out the hostile nations before Israel. He names all the peoples who currently inhabit Canaan (v.11).
As they approach Canaan, all Israel will witness God’s mighty acts, by which fear of these pagan nations must disappear. They must place their trust entirely in the LORD. Sadly, the majority of the people forget this reassuring promise when the spies return from Canaan (Num. 13:25–14:10).
Alongside His covenant promises, the LORD also sets forth His covenant requirements. These requirements are primarily directed toward Israel’s complete separation from the way of life of the pagan nations in Canaan. The LORD desires a holy people, wholly devoted to Him as their God and Redeemer.
They may not make a covenant with the pagan nations. Between them stands a dividing wall that will only later be broken down in and through Christ, resulting in unity among all who believe in Him (Eph. 2:11ff.).
Israel must break down and remove everything associated with pagan idolatry. They may not worship or make other gods for themselves (vv.12–17). The LORD claims them for Himself that they may love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength (Deut. 6:5).
Why does the LORD not now drive out the ungodly (Matt. 13:24–30)?
Sing: Ps. 105:3