Exodus 34
Exodus 34
Bible Trivia Question: what passage of scripture is most quoted within the Bible itself?
If you answered Exodus 34:6-7, you are correct. Take a minute to read these verses again:
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, 7 maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
These verses are referenced in the Old Testament more than 27 times! Let’s look at some examples:
Joel 2:13 says:
“Rend your heart
and not your garments.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is gracious and compassionate,
slow to anger and abounding in love,
and he relents from sending calamity.”
And David, in Psalm 145:8, writes this:
“The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.”
David and the Old Testament prophets constantly return to this scripture. Most often, it is in situations where people are repenting and trusting in God’s forgiveness. Why is this text so profound? Why is this description of God’s character so important?
God connects his divine name (Yahweh) to his divine character
In most English translations, you will see the text written, “the LORD, the LORD.” In the original Hebrew texts, the reader would’ve read the divine name, Yahweh, meaning “I am.” Texts were later changed from the divine name to the Hebrew word for “Lord,” in order to protect people from speaking the divine name in vain.
This passage is one of the most concise descriptions from Yahweh himself about who He is, making it fundamental to the Israelites conception of who God is. Yahweh is connecting “I am” to his character of grace, love, compassion, justice, and faithfulness.
God not only talks about his character, but demonstrates it.
Even after the Israelites make idols and break the stone tablets of God’s instruction, he still chooses to show them compassion, love, and faithfulness. This passage is situated in a story of God’s compassion on Israel & steadfast commitment to His covenant.
God connects his compassion & grace with his justice
At first these verses seem to paint a rosy picture of Yahweh - gracious, compassionate, steadfast in love, and faithfulness? Sounds awesome. But punishing people for their sin and the sin of their parents? That God seems vengeful. How can these be consistent?
This tension has been pondered for centuries. We know that Yahweh wants to clear the guilty. And He does in this very story! But what if the guilty never turn back? What if they don’t want God’s love and forgiveness and continue in evil for generations? God’s love is sure to forgive, but also to enact justice on evil.
This passage has been a rock of Jewish and Christian faith for centuries. When we have doubts or question “who is God?” We can turn to this passage and find the gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in faithfulness and love, while still maintaining justice. These characteristics were on full display in the person of Jesus, who loved, forgave, enacted justice for the oppressed, and showed compassion to the outcast.
May this passage lead you to the heart of Yahweh as you meditate on it.
