Beholding God’s Glory and Mercy: Reflections on Exodus 34:5–7

As we journey through the closing chapters of Exodus, a particular moment stands out: God reveals His name and nature to Moses in Exodus 34:5–7. This passage is a cornerstone of salvation history, shedding light on who God is and how He interacts with His people.

Context and Narrative Significance

The context of Exodus 34 is essential. After Israel’s grave sin with the golden calf (Exodus 32), Moses intercedes for the people. In response, God renews His covenant, reaffirming His commitment despite Israel’s unfaithfulness. When Moses ascends Mount Sinai to receive the new tablets of the Law, he pleads to see God’s glory. God consents but with a remarkable distinction: Moses will behold God’s “goodness” and hear His name proclaimed, but not see His face, for no one can see God and live.

In Exodus 34:5–7, God descends in a cloud and proclaims His name:

“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.” (Exodus 34:5–7)

This self-revelation shapes Israel’s understanding of God and becomes a refrain throughout Scripture.

Theological Significance

1. God’s Name and Attributes
   The proclamation “The Lord, the Lord” empasises God’s covenant fidelity. In Hebrew, “YHWH” signifies His eternal, self-existent nature and His relationship with His people. The attributes that follow–mercy, grace, patience, steadfast love, and faithfulness–describe a God deeply committed to His creation and His covenant. His mercy and justice are perfectly balanced, revealing a God who forgives but also holds individuals accountable.

   • Mercy and Grace: God’s mercy (ḥesed) emphasises His lovingkindness, while His grace signifies unmerited favour, pivotal in salvation history.

   • Steadfast Love and Faithfulness: These qualities highlight God’s unwavering loyalty to His promises.

   • Justice: God’s refusal to “clear the guilty” reflects His holiness and the necessity of atonement for sin.

2. Echoes in Scripture
   This passage resonates throughout the Bible. It appears in psalms of thanksgiving (Psalm 103:8–12) and laments, and even Jonah references it in frustration over God’s mercy (Jonah 4:2). In the New Testament, this self-revelation finds fulfilment in Jesus Christ, the embodiment of God’s mercy and truth (John 1:14–17).

Connections to Catholic Teaching

The attributes of God revealed in Exodus 34:5–7 align closely with Catholic understanding of His nature:

• Divine Mercy: The Church emphasises God’s mercy, especially through devotions like the Chaplet of Divine Mercy, grounded in passages like this one (CCC 211).
• Justice and Forgiveness: God’s justice requires repentance and conversion, echoed in the sacrament of reconciliation (CCC 1441).
• Covenant Love: God’s steadfast love points to His eternal covenant with humanity, culminating in the New Covenant through Christ (CCC 65).

Moral and Ethical Reflections

This passage invites us to reflect on how we, as Catholics, mirror God’s attributes in our lives:

1. Mercy in Action: Do we forgive as God forgives, showing compassion to others even when they fail us? (Matthew 18:21–22)

2. Faithfulness: Are we steadfast in our commitments, reflecting God’s loyalty in our relationships and vocations?

3. Justice with Love: Do we uphold truth and justice without losing sight of mercy, as Jesus exemplified?

God’s Plan of Salvation

In the broader context of salvation history, this moment on Sinai foreshadows the incarnation of Christ. Jesus, the Word made flesh, fully reveals the Father’s glory and mercy (John 14:9). His sacrifice on the Cross reconciles divine justice with mercy, offering forgiveness to all who turn to Him. For Catholics, this passage is a reminder of the ongoing call to live in the light of God’s mercy, proclaiming His steadfast love in word and deed.

May we, like Moses, seek to behold God’s glory and respond with lives transformed by His love and truth.