“And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth,”
Context:In this passage, we find Moses on Mount Sinai, having spent 40 days and 40 nights in the presence of God. During this time, God was revealing Himself to Moses and giving him the Ten Commandments and various instructions for the Israelites. However, in Exodus 32, the people of Israel had committed the sin of idolatry by worshipping a golden calf. As a result, God was angry and intended to destroy them. Yet, through Moses’ intercession, God relented from destroying the Israelites completely.
In Exodus 33, Moses pitched a tent outside the camp, which he called the “tabernacle of meeting.” There, he would speak with God, seeking His guidance and favour for the journey ahead. Moses desired to see God’s glory and asked Him to reveal Himself. God granted Moses’ request but told him that no one could see His face and live. Instead, God agreed to pass by Moses and reveal His attributes.
Key Attributes of God in Exodus 34:6:Merciful: God is compassionate and full of mercy. Despite the rebellion and sin of the Israelites, God showed mercy and withheld the full extent of His judgment because of His love for His people.
- Gracious: God is generous and kind. His grace is demonstrated by His willingness to forgive, bless, and provide for His people, even when they don’t deserve it.
- Long-suffering (Patient): God is patient and slow to anger. Despite the continuous disobedience and rebellion of the Israelites, God was patient with them, giving them opportunities to repent and turn back to Him.
- Abundant in Goodness: God is abundant in goodness and kindness. He is a God who delights in doing good for His people and lavishes His blessings upon them.
- Abundant in Truth: God is faithful and true to His promises. He is dependable, and His Word stands firm forever.
Spiritual Lessons:God’s Mercy and Grace: Exodus 34:6 teaches us about God’s immense mercy and grace. No matter how much we may have sinned or strayed from God, His mercy is available to us when we turn to Him in repentance. His grace offers forgiveness and restoration, even though we don’t deserve it.
- God’s Patience: The long-suffering nature of God reminds us of His incredible patience with us. He gives us time to learn, grow, and change. Even when we fall repeatedly, He continues to extend His loving patience.
- God’s Goodness and Blessings: Recognising God’s abundant goodness should lead us to gratitude and thankfulness. He bestows numerous blessings upon us daily, and we should never take them for granted.
- God’s Faithfulness: God’s abundant truth highlights His faithfulness in keeping His promises. We can trust in His Word and rely on Him in all circumstances.
- Intercession and Prayer: Moses’ intercession for the Israelites exemplifies the power of prayer. It reminds us of the significance of praying for others and seeking God’s favour on their behalf.
Application:Embrace God’s Mercy and Grace: Acknowledge your sins and weaknesses, and humbly seek God’s forgiveness. Trust in His mercy and grace to cleanse and renew your life.
- Cultivate Patience: Reflect on God’s patience with you, and strive to extend the same patience to others. Be slow to anger and quick to forgive.
- Live Gratefully: Develop a heart of gratitude for God’s goodness and blessings. Count your blessings daily and thank Him for His provision.
- Trust in God’s Faithfulness: Lean on God’s promises and rely on His faithfulness during challenging times. Remember that He is always true to His Word.
- Intercede for Others: Take time to pray for those in need, interceding on their behalf before God. Just as Moses prayed for the Israelites, let us be prayerful for the well-being of others.
Exodus 34:6 reveals profound insights about the nature of God and His attributes. As we meditate on these truths and apply them to our lives, we can grow in our relationship with God and reflect His character to the world around us.
