Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed His name, the LORD. 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. Exodus 34:5-6
Moses returned from 40 days and nights in the presence of God, bringing the engraved laws of the covenant nation. While Moses was with God, the Hebrew children, under the leadership of Aaron, lust for a tangible god and orgy type worship. When Moses finds the chaos and desecration of God’s kindness and provision he throws the precious stones, written by God. Now, Moses has returned to the peak of Mount Sinai and God’s mercy.
The people have sinned and God says He will destroy them, but Moses pled their case. God heard and extended forgiveness and restoration. The announcement from God to Moses, that He is the LORD, is a perspective builder. Moses was carrying the burden of the people’s sin, but God exclaims it is His character that will determine the destiny of these people, not Moses’. Everything is going to be okay, but there is some work to do. Moses and God spend another 40 days and nights rewriting instructions for Holy and set apart living so the world may be blessed.
These people, just set free from slavery, were terribly quick to worship god’s of their own making. What an insult to God’s love!!! Still, God CHOSES…….HE CHOSES to be slow to anger, ABOUNDING IN LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS to mankind.
You are loved so very much!
Happy Friday,
Gretchen