Compare Nehemiah 9:17 with Exodus 34:6-7 on God's character consistency. Setting the Scene • Exodus 34:6-7 records the LORD’s own self-description to Moses after the golden-calf crisis. • Nehemiah 9:17 is spoken nearly a thousand years later as the returned exiles publicly confess their sins and recount God’s dealings with Israel. The Echo of Exodus in Nehemiah “Then the LORD passed in front of Moses and called out: ‘The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and faithfulness, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished…’” “…But You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion, and You did not abandon them.” Notice the almost word-for-word repetition: • “compassionate and gracious” • “slow to anger” • “abounding in loving devotion” • “forgiving” / “You did not abandon them” Shared Attributes • Compassionate – His heart moves toward the needy (cf. Psalm 103:13). • Gracious – He gives favor undeserved (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9). • Slow to anger – Patience restrains immediate judgment (cf. 2 Peter 3:9). • Abounding in loving devotion – Hesed love overflows beyond measure (cf. Psalm 136). • Forgiving – Sin is lifted and removed (cf. Micah 7:18-19). • Just – Exodus adds “will by no means leave the guilty unpunished,” affirming moral order (cf. Nahum 1:3). Faithful Across the Centuries • Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2 all echo the same creed. • Isaiah 30:18 shows God still “longs to be gracious.” • Malachi 3:6 “I, the LORD, do not change,” explaining Israel’s preservation. • Hebrews 13:8 grounds the same unchanging character in Christ: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Grace and Justice in Perfect Balance Exodus 34:6-7 unites mercy and justice; Nehemiah 9:17 highlights mercy experienced after judgment (the exile). Both texts show: • God’s willingness to forgive the repentant. • God’s resolve to confront persistent rebellion. • The exile itself demonstrated His justice; the return and covenant renewal showcased His mercy. Covenant Loyalty on Display • Despite Israel’s repeated failures, God never broke His covenant promises (Deuteronomy 7:9). • Nehemiah’s generation stands as proof: they are back in the land because the LORD remained “abounding in loving devotion.” Living Response • Confidence – Because He does not change, we can trust every promise (2 Corinthians 1:20). • Repentance – His patience invites heartfelt turning, not presumption (Romans 2:4). • Worship – The same attributes that saved Israel reach their climax in the cross, where justice and grace meet (Romans 3:25-26). |
    |