34:1-7 · In a stunning display of grace, God descends in the cloud of glory, stands with Moses, and proclaims his covenant name, Yahweh, and his covenant character of compassion, mercy, patience, unfailing covenant love, forgiveness, and justice (34:5–7). Forgiveness has been the focus of Moses’s persistent entreaty; this declaration of God emboldens Moses to ask once more that Israel be forgiven and accepted as God’s inheritance (34:8–9). God’s justice means he will most certainly punish those who are guilty. Only there could rest the true goodness and integrity of his name and character. Repetition of “the Lord” (34:6) may echo the repetition in Exodus 3:14. These elements of the Lord’s name echo throughout the history of Israel as they persist in demonstrating th…