We study and discuss the character of God as revealed to Moses in Exodus 34:6-7. First, we discuss the rebellion of the Israelites and how quickly they turned from the commandment not to make graven images. Aaron fashioned the golden calf but dismissed his personal responsibility. We talk about the "stiff necked people", unwilling to take the yoke. Moses pleads and intercedes for this people and for the LORD to remember His promises for His own name and for the sake of His testimony to the nations. Moses demonstrates the pattern of servant leadership offering himself to be the peoples' atonement and for God to blot Moses himself out. God's forgiveness requires a payment, it is not free. In Exodus 33 Moses pleads with the LORD that His Presence will go with the people. The Presence of the LORD with the people is what makes the Israelites "special". Because the LORD bestows favor on Moses, God agrees to go with His people and He agrees to show Moses His glory. Moses is not able to stand in the direct presence of God, but can only see His back. God states in Exodus 33:19 "And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy." Ex 34:6-7 "The LORD passed before him(Moses) and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, 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."
