The Lord reveals his own character to the people of Israel, and the character of the people of Israel is revealed.  

The narrative of the book of Exodus includes a great number of revelations of character. The character of Pharaoh is revealed in the beginning of the book, as this new pharaoh that has risen does not know the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. God reveals himself to Moses as “I AM,” — Yahweh — and identifies Moses as the person who will ask Pharaoh to let his people go from this land of slavery. God reveals himself to Pharaoh through the 10 plagues and the crossing of the Red Sea. God reveals himself to Moses at the top of Mount Sinai and gives him the law and the book of the covenant. God reveals his purpose for the people — that they be rescued for relationship. 

However, when Moses is at the top of the mountain, something starts happening at the foot of the mountain. The character of the people of Israel is revealed through the account of the golden calf. No sooner than God has cut his covenant with his people, Israel has broken the covenant by building the golden calf to worship alongside the Lord. 

But the Lord does something incredible here. Rather than being rid of the people of Israel altogether for their idolatry, the Lord reveals himself and his character. הוהי is a God who is “…merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Ex. 34:6-7, ESV). 

Although the people have broken their end of the covenant here, the Lord reveals his character and shows that although he would be justified to be rid of the Israelites — he will keep his covenant with them because he is the Lord. “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious.” God calls out his own name to his people, and declares to them who he is as Lord. 

This same Yahweh is our Lord still today. Remember who our God is. 

Catherine Rybicki, M.Div.

Extended Scripture: Exodus 33–34 (ESV)