Yahweh
passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin...”
Exodus 34:6-7
Exodus 34 [4.] He chiseled two tablets of stone like the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Yahweh had commanded him, and took in his hand two stone tablets. Yahweh descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed Yahweh’s name. Yahweh passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Yahweh! Yahweh, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”
Exodus 34 [8.] Moses hurried and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Lord, please let the Lord go among us; although this is a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”
Meaning:
- Mercy and Grace:
The passage begins by highlighting God's mercy and grace. He is described as "merciful and gracious," indicating His compassionate and benevolent nature. God's mercy refers to His willingness to show compassion and forgiveness to those who have sinned, while His grace extends undeserved favor and blessings to His people.
- Patience and Abundant Love:
God is portrayed as "slow to anger," emphasizing His patience and long-suffering towards humanity. Despite human frailty and disobedience, God's anger is not quickly aroused. Instead, He abounds in "loving kindness," demonstrating His steadfast and unfailing love towards His creation. This love is not limited but abundant, overflowing with grace and compassion.
- Justice and Holiness:
While God is characterized by mercy and grace, He is also just and holy. The passage acknowledges that God "will by no means clear the guilty." He holds individuals accountable for their sins and does not overlook or condone wrongdoing. While He forgives iniquity and disobedience, He also upholds His righteous standards and punishes sin.
Significance:
Revelation of God's Character: Exodus 34:6-7 provides a profound revelation of God's character, unveiling His attributes of mercy, grace, patience, love, truth, justice, and holiness. This revelation offers insight into God's relational dynamics with humanity, portraying Him as both compassionate and just, forgiving and righteous.
Assurance of Forgiveness: The passage assures us of God's willingness to forgive sin and disobedience. His mercy and grace provide a source of hope and assurance for those who have fallen short of His standards. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that He is ready to extend forgiveness and restore them to fellowship with Him.
Call to Repentance and Obedience: Exodus 34:6-7 also serves as a call to repentance and obedience. While God is compassionate and forgiving, He also expects His people to turn away from sin and walk in obedience to His commands. The passage underscores the importance of acknowledging sin, seeking forgiveness, and living in alignment with God's righteous standards.
Cross References:
Numbers 14:18: In a prayer of intercession, Moses acknowledges God's mercy, grace, patience, and abundant love towards His people: "Yahweh is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation."
Psalm 103:8-10: The psalmist celebrates God's compassionate and forgiving nature, recognizing His patience and willingness to show mercy to those who fear Him: "Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness. He will not always accuse; neither will he stay angry forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities."
In Conclusion: Exodus 34:6-7 offers a profound revelation of God's character, unveiling His attributes of mercy, grace, patience, love, truth, justice, and holiness. This passage reassures us of God's willingness to forgive sin and disobedience while also calling us to repentance and obedience. As we meditate on this revelation, may we grow in their understanding of God's character and respond with gratitude, repentance, and faithful obedience to His commands.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible