Who Does God Say He Is? (Exodus 34:6-7) | Daily Devotional & Bible Study

Right after the golden calf, Israel's worst betrayal, God passes in front of Moses and describes Himself in His own words. Today we look at why He leads with compassion and not power, what slow to anger and lovingkindness mean, and how the hard part about the third and fourth generation fits in. It gives us a fuller, more honest picture of who God really is.

"Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth;" (Exodus 34:6)

Questions this episode answers

What does Exodus 34:6-7 say about God?

God describes Himself as compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth. He forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin. He leads with compassion even though He had just shown His power at the Red Sea.

Does God punish children for their parents' sins?

Exodus 34:7 is not God blaming people for sins they did not commit. It truthfully describes how far the damage of unaddressed sin travels through a family, until someone in that line turns to God and chooses to stop it.

Why is Exodus 34:6-7 quoted so often in the Bible?

David, Nehemiah, Joel, and even Jonah return to this description of God. Across different centuries and situations, it became the fixed reference point for who God is.

Timestamps

00:12 What are we looking for when we look for God?

03:19 The golden calf

05:33 Moses asks to see God's glory

06:03 Exodus 34:6-7, God introduces Himself

07:32 Why God leads with compassion

08:58 Slow to anger and lovingkindness in Hebrew

10:54 The third and fourth generation

19:41 Building your own list of who God is

Links

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Bible Study Live is a small-group Bible study trip with Rachael Groll. Study Scripture where it happened in Rome, or slow down for a contemplative Bible study retreat in Maui. Dates and details at BibleStudyLive.org

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