Exodus: A Group StudySample

What is this passage saying?

Yahweh rewrites the tablets of stone, renewing the covenant with Israel and securing His presence and providence in their midst. Moses came down from Mount Sinai with his face shining from being in Yahweh’s presence.

What is this passage teaching?

The revelation of Yahweh’s essential character (Exodus 34:5-8) is a defining moment in the story of Scripture. In the Old Testament, if a foreigner or pagan asked about who Yahweh was, Israelites would likely quote this passage. While this list is not exhaustive, these attributes are essential to understanding who Yahweh is and why He works out His plans and purposes in the way He does. First, Yahweh is a God who is merciful (or compassionate), meaning He cares for those in need. When Israel was enslaved and broken, a compassionate God heard their cries and remembered his covenant. When Jesus saw the brokenness of the crowds, “He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). God sees the broken and moves towards them.

Next, we see Yahweh is gracious and slow to anger. This is welcome news to Israel who just rebelled against God disobeyed his commands. God is not quick-tempered, but patient and long-suffering. He extends unmerited favor to His people, drawing them back even in their rebellion. Yahweh is also abounding in loyal love and faithfulness, meaning He will always keep His promises. In seasons of darkness, doubt, and debilitating unbelief, God is neither fickle nor undependable. In every moment of every season, God extends an unchanging and undiminishing faithfulness and loyal love to His people. Yahweh also keeps loyal love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. The use of synonymous words for “sin” indicates the totality of God’s forgiveness. Any rebellion, wickedness, or disobedience can be forgiven by Yahweh’s loyal love. However, Yahweh will not clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children…to the third and the fourth generation. This does not mean children will be punished for their father’s sins, rather that Yahweh’s commitment to justice will travel as far as the sinfulness goes.

How do I respond?

Today, just sit and worship God in the magnitude of his greatness. Think of specific ways each of these attributes has been shown in your life and praise God for His loyal love and faithfulness towards you.