After the incident with the golden calf, God called Moses back up the mountain again, with two new stone tablets to replace the two that had been broken (Exodus 34:1-5). There God appeared before him with these words: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (34:6).

Yet God’s abundant mercy does not mean that anyone can get away with anything; indeed, it will often be the case that our sins will have consequences for many generations to come (34:7). Still, the primary thing is this rich faithfulness on the part of the Lord, “forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin” (34:7)

Moses responded to this declaration with prayer and intercession for the people of Israel: “although this is a stiff-necked people, pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as your inheritance” (34:9). And God responded with this affirmation: “I hereby make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform marvels … it is an awesome thing that I will do with you” (34:10). Indeed, “Put these words in writing, for they are the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel” (34:27).

Once again, though we often call them “the Ten Commandments,” we can see that they are referred to simply as “the words of the Covenant” (34:28). The NRSV translates the next phrase as “the ten commandments,” but the footnote tells you that the Hebrew text simply calls them “the ten words” (34:28). It is a key point, that we so desperately need to get: God does not present us with a list of rules to follow, but invites us into this personal and covenantal relationship: a relationship with the Lord, the God of mercy and graciousness, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

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We need your mercy so much, Lord! Like ancient Israel we make other gods for ourselves; we visit the consequences of our own appetites on our children and grandchildren; we pay so little attention to the covenant you give us. Forgive us our sins, we pray, and even now restore us to be your heritage once again.