That You May Believe - Study Guide

Week 5 - January 31st, 2021

Exodus 34:6-7

6 The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 7 keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children, to the third and the fourth generation.”

Context: After the debacle of the Golden Calf, The Lord renews His covenant with Israel. He brings Moses to Mount Sinai and there shows him His glory. In this passage, The Lord God, YHWH, reveals his character and nature to His people.

Meaning: The glory of the Lord is revealed through His name, YHWH, literally, “I AM.” Our God is full of steadfast love, that extends even to His idolatrous people. He is also a God of justice who will punish the guilty, purging His world of all darkness. The phrase “to the third and fourth generation” is a Hebrew idiom meaning “to each and to every,” thus, YHWH will keep His covenant with every generation that will serve Him.

Life Application: We should be eager to respond to the faithful, covenant love that the LORD has shown us. Let us keep His statutes and perform His deeds always! For believers, the divine love and justice of God meet together in the man Jesus. In His death on the cross, Jesus suffers the penalty that His people deserve. Through His Resurrection, He fills us with life that we did not deserve.

For Further Study: This is the most quoted verse in the Old Testament, including Psalm 103 and Daniel 9. Compare how these authors reflect on the character of God. What do these passages stir in your heart?