What Attributes Were Declared?
Throughout the Bible, God reveals His nature and character in ways that are both profound and instructive. These declarations, often made to Moses and other prophets, help humans understand who God is, how He interacts with the world, and how people are called to relate to Him. When God proclaimed His name to Moses in Exodus 34:5–7, He also revealed a set of divine attributes—qualities that define His essence and guide human understanding of His character.
1. The Context of the Declaration
After the Israelites sinned by worshiping the golden calf, Moses interceded on their behalf, asking God to forgive the people. In response, God revealed His glory and declared His attributes:
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Scriptural Reference: Exodus 34:5–7
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Situation: God allowed Moses to witness His glory and hear the proclamation of His nature as a reassurance of His mercy and covenantal faithfulness.
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Purpose: These attributes were declared to assure Moses—and through him, the Israelites—of God’s mercy, justice, and enduring faithfulness.
2. The Attributes Declared
The attributes God declared can be summarized from Exodus 34:6–7:
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Merciful (Compassionate):
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God is described as slow to anger and rich in mercy.
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This shows His willingness to forgive and care for His creation, prioritizing compassion over immediate punishment.
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Gracious:
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God extends unearned favor to His people.
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Grace is a central theme in the covenant relationship, emphasizing that humans do not earn God’s love through works alone.
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Slow to Anger (Long-Suffering):
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God demonstrates patience, giving humans time to repent and change.
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This attribute underscores His enduring patience despite human failings.
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Abundant in Loving-Kindness (Steadfast Love / Hesed):
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The Hebrew term “hesed” conveys loyal love, faithfulness, and covenantal commitment.
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God’s love is steadfast, enduring, and relational—it is the foundation of His promises.
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Faithful (Truth / Trustworthiness):
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God keeps His promises and acts consistently with His nature.
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Faithfulness ensures that God’s covenant with Israel and His moral law are reliable and eternal.
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Righteous and Just:
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God executes justice, punishing the wicked while protecting the innocent.
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His righteousness is not arbitrary but aligns with His moral and ethical perfection.
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Forgiving but Requiring Accountability:
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God forgives sin, but He does not leave the guilty unpunished entirely.
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This attribute balances mercy with justice, emphasizing that wrongdoing has consequences while also allowing for repentance.
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3. Theological Significance of These Attributes
The declaration of God’s attributes carries several profound theological implications:
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Reveals God’s Moral Character: Humans can understand right and wrong by observing God’s justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
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Guides Human Behavior: Believers are called to emulate divine attributes—showing mercy, patience, and faithfulness in their own lives.
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Balances Justice and Mercy: God’s attributes demonstrate that divine justice does not contradict mercy, but both work together in perfect harmony.
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Affirms Covenant Relationship: God’s steadfast love and faithfulness reassure the Israelites that despite their failings, He remains committed to His covenant promises.
4. Comparison to Other Biblical Revelations
God’s attributes were not only declared to Moses:
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Psalm 103:8–12 reiterates God’s mercy, patience, and loving-kindness.
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Numbers 14:18 emphasizes God’s forgiveness combined with the accountability of sin.
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The Prophets consistently portray God as just, merciful, and faithful, ensuring continuity in the understanding of His character.
These repeated revelations highlight the consistency of God’s attributes throughout Scripture.
5. Practical and Spiritual Lessons
The declared attributes of God offer enduring lessons for spiritual life:
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Encouragement in Times of Sin: God’s mercy and patience provide hope for repentance and restoration.
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Trust in Divine Justice: Believers can rely on God’s fairness, knowing that wrongs will not go unnoticed.
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Inspiration to Reflect God’s Character: Humans are called to embody mercy, patience, faithfulness, and love in their relationships.
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Reassurance of God’s Faithfulness: Even when circumstances seem dire, God’s steadfast love assures His people of His ongoing presence and guidance.
Conclusion
The attributes God declared to Moses—merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abundant in steadfast love, faithful, righteous, and just—offer a comprehensive understanding of divine character. These qualities reveal a God who balances justice with mercy, authority with compassion, and transcendence with relational presence. They provide a moral and spiritual foundation for human conduct, guiding believers to trust in God’s promises and emulate His virtues.
God’s declaration of His attributes remains a central element in both Jewish and Christian theology, emphasizing that understanding God is not only about knowing His name but also recognizing the character that defines Him.