It was a tense moment. The golden calf incident had just happened. (Aaron: I just threw in this gold and a calf came out. Really, Aaron? That’s all you got?) Moses had shattered the two stone tablets. God had told Israel He could no longer be in their midst because He couldn’t trust Himself. He might just wipe them out.
Moses had gone to bat for Israel, pleading with God to stay in their midst and reminding Him that the children of Israel were His people. For a moment, everything hung in the balance. Would He or wouldn’t He continue with a nation He had just described as obstinate (even calling them “YOUR people” to Moses)?
And then came the words from God to Moses, “Cut out two new stones.”
Whew.
The relationship was still on. But before it could go any further, God took a moment to remind Moses of who He was and of His traits. These were things for which God wanted to be known. It was, if I may, His profile update.
Exodus 34:6-7
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.”
This is one of those infrequent occasions when God described Himself with some detail. We should take note.
So, let’s do. In fact, it’s here that this post turns into an exercise. You can use this personally and you can adapt it to lead a group or share with students.
- On a blank sheet of paper or in a document, note all the different traits of God you see in these two verses, placing each trait in its own section of the sheet or doc.
- Spend some time ruminating on each trait. Write out thoughts or a prayer for each trait. As you ruminate, remember that these are traits from God, about God.
- Let yourself call to mind other instances in Scripture where these traits are reinforced. Here are a few passages for your cross-referencing pleasure.
Psalm 86:14-16 | Ephesians 1:6-7 | Romans 2:4 | John 1:14 | John 3:16-18 | 1 John 1:9 | Romans 11:22
- Now let’s get practical.
- Highlight a trait you’ve not thought of much lately. How can you keep it in your daily routine?
- Highlight a trait you could use a dose of right now. What can you do to experience this trait now?
- Highlight a trait that a friend could use a dose of right now. Write a prayer, incorporating this passage, that you can share with your friend.
These words from God came at a critical, pivotal moment in the history of His revelation and His relationship with Israel. These are traits He wants to be known by, traits that we see throughout Scripture…traits that culminate in Jesus. God’s description of Himself caused an immediate reaction of humility and worship from Moses. That would be a fitting response from us as well.
This a profile update we should all pay attention to.