Exodus 34:10
And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God is not just promising future miracles, but highlighting that the very creation of these unprecedented, awe-inspiring events will demonstrate the power behind this renewed covenant. This isn't just about a legal agreement, but about God actively forming signs and wonders unlike anything ever seen before.
After the people's devastating sin with the golden calf and Moses' impassioned intercession, God declares He will renew His covenant with Israel. He promises to perform unprecedented "marvels" among all nations, confirming His power and commitment to them as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. These awe-inspiring acts are intended to secure their inheritance and serve as a terrifying display of God's might against their enemies.
The people of Israel had just broken the covenant with God. Yet, God initiates the renewal, not as a reward for their behavior, but as a demonstration of His faithfulness.
God Takes the Lead
When God says, 'Behold, I make a covenant,' He's not asking if Israel is ready or worthy. He's declaring His sovereign decision to re-establish His relationship with them. Even after their sin with the golden calf, it's God who steps forward to make a covenant. This highlights a crucial truth: God's covenants are initiated by His grace, not by human merit.
A Promise of Unprecedented Action
This renewed covenant isn't just words; it's backed by a promise of incredible action. God declares He will do 'marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation.' This points to the mighty acts that will confirm His presence and power among His people as they enter the Promised Land – miracles that would leave no doubt about who was working on their behalf.
God's future actions for Israel won't be hidden. They are designed to be seen by all, serving as a public declaration of His awesome power.
Public and Unprecedented Miracles
The 'marvels' God promises aren't minor occurrences; they are earth-shattering, nation-shaking events. Think of the Jordan River parting, the walls of Jericho falling, or even the sun standing still. These were not merely for Israel's benefit but were meant to be seen by 'all the people among whom you are' and 'all the people among whom thou art.' This public display served as a divine testimony.
The Lord's Work, Not Man's
This public demonstration serves a vital purpose: to make it undeniable that 'all the people...shall see the work of the LORD.' In a world where nations relied on their own strength and their own gods, God's intervention would be so extraordinary that it could only be attributed to Him. It’s a reminder that His power transcends human capabilities and any other divine claims.
Understand the original words
berit · Hebrew Noun
A sacred, binding agreement between God and His people, characterized by mutual obligations, divine promises, and divine intervention.
niphla'ot · Hebrew Noun
Extraordinary acts of power that evoke wonder or astonishment; events that transcend the natural order, demonstrating God's sovereign authority.
nora · Hebrew Adjective
Inspiring terror, dread, or intense reverence; often used to describe God’s presence or His mighty works that cause humans to acknowledge His greatness.
This passage directly echoes Exodus 34:10 by describing the unprecedented 'marvels' God would perform, specifically the crossing of the Jordan River, to demonstrate His power and the reality of His covenant presence.
Deuteronomy 10:21This verse describes God as 'awesome' and 'terrible' in His mighty deeds, directly reflecting the language and sentiment in Exodus 34:10 about God's powerful actions done on behalf of His people.
Psalm 78:11-12The Psalmist recalls God's 'marvels' and 'works' that the Israelites forgot, mirroring the emphasis in Exodus 34:10 on God's spectacular deeds that should be remembered as signs of His covenant faithfulness.
Isaiah 45:7While from a later prophetic context, this verse highlights God's unique creative power in bringing both light and darkness, peace and calamity, aligning with the idea in Exodus 34:10 that God performs unparalleled acts of power, both creative and destructive, as part of His divine work.
clarkeExodus 34:10: "And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee."
I will do marvels - This seems to refer to what God did in putting them in possession of the land of Canaan, causing the walls of Jericho to fall down; making the sun and moon to stand still, etc. And thus God mad…
wesleyExodus 34:10: "And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee."
34:10 Behold I make a covenant - When the covenant was broke, it was Israel that broke it; now it comes to be renewed, it is God that makes it. If there be quarrels, we must bear all the blame; if there be peace,…
God is not just promising future miracles, but highlighting that the very creation of these unprecedented, awe-inspiring events will demonstrate the power behind this renewed covenant. This isn't just about a legal agreement, but about God actively forming signs and wonders unlike anything ever seen before.
After the people's devastating sin with the golden calf and Moses' impassioned intercession, God declares He will renew His covenant with Israel. He promises to perform unprecedented "marvels" among all nations, confirming His power and commitment to them as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. These awe-inspiring acts are intended to secure their inheritance and serve as a terrifying display of God's might against their enemies.
After the people's devastating sin with the golden calf and Moses' impassioned intercession, God declares He will renew His covenant with Israel. He promises to perform unprecedented "marvels" among all nations, confirming His power and commitment to them as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. These awe-inspiring acts are intended to secure their inheritance and serve as a terrifying display of God's might against their enemies.
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The term 'awesome' or 'terrible' here doesn't just mean frightening; it speaks of a profound, awe-inspiring dread that paralyzes enemies and commands respect.
Awe That Commands Respect
God's promise to do 'awesome things' is directed towards the nations surrounding Israel. The Hebrew word carries a sense of profound awe, dread, and power that inspires terror in adversaries. It's not a capricious or cruel fear, but a righteous recognition of divine might that utterly overwhelms any opposition.
God's Might Displayed
This 'terrible thing' is God's power unleashed in judgment against Israel's enemies and in protection of His people. It is the demonstration of His sovereignty over all the earth. When the nations witness these unprecedented acts, they will understand that the God of Israel is unlike any other deity, and His power is absolute. This is a God who is not to be trifled with.
"And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awe…" — God is not just promising future miracles, but highlighting that the very creation of these unprecedented, awe-inspiring events will demonstrate the power behind this renewed covenant. This isn't j…
