Chapter 34 is one of the most important passages in the Bible. The first verses cover the renewal of the covenant (verses 1-4).
Then, God gives Moses what Martin Luther refers to as “the sermon on the name of the Lord.”
The Lord descended in the cloud and stood with him there and proclaimed the name, “The Lord.”
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” (Exodus 34.5-6)
Words that Reveal God’s Nature
The words in God’s proclamation to Moses are so important that Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny, and I have devoted two YouTube videos to this short passage.
(1) The LORD – When you see “LORD” in small capital letters in your Bible, it refers to the Tetragrammaton, which is written in Hebrew as YHWH. It represents the sacred name of God.
This name is unpronounceable because it emphasizes the transcendence and holiness of God. It is considered the most personal and intimate name for the Lord.
The second commandment of the Ten Commandments states, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain” (Exodus 20.7). This means much more than not using God’s name as a curse word.
The commandment underscores the importance of treating God’s sacred name with utmost reverence and not using it with empty words or disrespectfully.
(2) Merciful – One facet of God’s nature (His name) is that He is merciful.
This means that He is compassionate and forgiving. He is inclined to forgive us when we have sinned or fallen short of His expectations.
Another way to think about God’s mercy is as unconditional love. His mercy signifies that His love is not contingent on our worthiness or righteousness. Rather, it is freely given out of His nature and character.
(3) Gracious – God’s gracious character involves the idea of showing favor, kindness, or grace to someone. It implies a willingness to bestow blessings or benefits on another person without expecting something in return.
Very often, God’s grace is connected with His mercy in the Old Testament. God’s grace has several significant implications and benefits for humans.
We could not have salvation and forgiveness without God’s grace. It provides a path to repentance and restoration.
Often seen as unmerited favor, God’s grace underscores the idea that it is a gift, not something that can be earned through human effort.
When God applies his grace to our lives, he restores a broken covenant, as he did with the Hebrew people.
Left alone, we are separated from God and in a hopeless condition. God’s gracious nature offers hope and encouragement to people who follow Him.
He is a source of comfort and assurance, reminding us that we can always turn to Him, seek His favor, and find mercy in times of need.
Without a doubt, God’s grace changes us. When we meet God, He works on our inner self, moving us towards growth, repentance, and a desire to live according to His will.
More to Come
There is much more to be said about words that describe God’s nature and character.
They will be the subject of today’s and tomorrow’s videos and blog articles.
I hope to encourage you to take these names and use them to expand your appreciation for God’s greatness. Use them in times of prayer and worship.
May God bless you as you do so.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny, and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 