7-5

How would God answer this question? “How would you like to be remembered?” We don’t need to speculate, because we have the answer in Exodus 34:5-9.

GOD’S GOODNESS IS HIS GLORY

  • Moses: Please show me your glory (33:18)
  • God: I will make all my goodness pass before you (33:19)

If God’s best side is his goodness, let’s not get on the wrong side.

Does he explain his goodness to us?

GOD’S GOODNESS IS MULTI-COLORED

We see different angles and aspects of God’s goodness in Exodus 34:6-7.

  • Merciful and gracious (6a)
  • Slow to anger (6b)
  • Abounding in steadfast love (6c)
  • Abounding in faithfulness (6d)
  • Keeping steadfast love for thousands (7a)
  • Forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin (7b)

If God’s goodness is multi-colored, there’s no reason to live in guilty gray.

So, does God love and forgive everyone?OK

GOD’S GOODNESS MUST NOT BE ABUSED

God’s goodness is offered but it must not be spurned.

  • The guilty will be condemned (7c)
  • The guilty will be punished (7d)
  • The guilty will damage generations (7e)

God’s goodness is available to all, but is not accepted by all.

LIVING THE BIBLE

God answered this question even more memorably at the incarnation and at the crucifixion. In both places he makes his goodness pass by and declares his name to us. He’s saying, “This is how I want to be remembered.”

In the preaching of the Gospel and in the Lord’s Supper he continues to make his goodness pass by and declare his name to us. He’s saying, “This is how I want to be remembered.”

If God says, “Remember my goodness,” let’s never forget it.


This episode of Living the Bible lines up with Expedition 7: Day 5 in  Exploring the Bible Together: A 52-Week Family Worship Plan and Exploring the Bible: A Bible Reading Plan for Kids. You can catch up with previous episodes of the Living the Bible podcast here or subscribe on iTunesSpotify, and Google Podcast.