Exodus 33-36 tells of God's provision of a new copy of his covenant on stone tablets, the observance of the Sabbath, and instructions about the offerings for the tabernacle--all significant, but not the focus of what I want to highlight today.
After reading the chapters, I couldn't stop thinking about the description of Moses' encounter with God. In response to Moses' request, God passed by and showed him his glorious presence. Following that amazing occurence, we read this in Exodus 34:
5 Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. 6 The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out,
“Yahweh! The Lord!
The God of compassion and mercy!
I am slow to anger
and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.
7 I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.
I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty...
Tonight, George and I discussed Augustine's City of God briefly as we talked about the two kingdoms that exist--God's and man's. We do indeed live in a fallen world. But all who are Christian are beneficiaries of his compassion and mercy, unfailing love and faithfulness. Through God's NEW covenant, etched not in stone, but in the precious blood of his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, he forgives our iniquity, rebellion, and sin. And though we currently live as strangers and aliens in the city of man, we can look forward to that beautiful city of God--our promised land, and the place of his glorious presence--as our inheritance and blessing.
Lord, help us to occupy until you come with faith and faithfulness, love and obedience. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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