WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:05.459 As Mike said, I pastor at Westocia Lakes Church. Something unique about that is I pastor with my brother-in-law. 00:00:05.700 --> 00:00:12.500 We married sisters and have long wanted to be in ministry together and we are fulfilling that dream at Westocia Lakes Church in Salem, Wisconsin. 00:00:13.019 --> 00:00:23.920 And it has been a pleasure to get to know Mike. You have a good pastor, a good man, loves Jesus, ably handles God's Word, and yeah, I have a ton of respect for Mike. 00:00:23.920 --> 00:00:30.160 So what an honor to be with you and get to know some of you. I only know a couple of faces in the room. One would be Dr. Tully and one's Mike Savati. 00:00:30.320 --> 00:00:33.320 So just from those two faces alone, you guys are in good hands. 00:00:34.620 --> 00:00:49.960 Well, in his book, Who is God?, Richard Bauckham observes that within the big story of the Bible, there are a few key moments of what he calls divine disclosure, where God defines who God is for us. 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:55.179 These are not merely moments that are narrated once within the biblical story. 00:00:55.859 --> 00:01:01.160 They're more like reference points to which the rest of Scripture constantly refers back. 00:01:02.340 --> 00:01:06.620 They are moments that reverberate through the whole story. 00:01:07.700 --> 00:01:13.420 Like all events of great significance, their significance is not grasped all at once and forever. 00:01:13.740 --> 00:01:16.000 They are moments whose meaning is never exhausted. 00:01:16.599 --> 00:01:19.560 So we should read them as events pregnant with meaning. 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:27.280 Pointing us finite creatures to God and his inexhaustible and mysterious identity. 00:01:27.419 --> 00:01:33.899 They should challenge our understanding of who God is and our relationship with God. 00:01:34.159 --> 00:01:37.060 One of these key moments is narrated in our text this morning. 00:01:37.599 --> 00:01:40.899 Exodus chapter 34 verses 6 and 7. 00:01:42.379 --> 00:01:45.399 We're going to listen in as God tells us what he's like. 00:01:45.400 --> 00:02:01.520 The only evidence we need to demonstrate that these verses are significant is the fact that the other authors of Scripture, which include songwriters, historians, apostles, kings, prophets, they refer back to these words more than any other. 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:05.340 Exodus chapter 34 verse 6. 00:02:06.800 --> 00:02:07.880 Hear the word of the Lord. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:37.859 The Lord. 00:02:37.879 --> 00:02:38.879 The Lord. 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:39.879 The Lord. 00:02:39.879 --> 00:02:40.280 And Moses. 00:02:40.280 --> 00:02:40.879 The Lord. 00:02:40.879 --> 00:02:41.879 The Lord. 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:42.879 The Lord. 00:02:42.879 --> 00:02:43.879 The Lord. 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:44.879 The Lord. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:45.879 The Lord. 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:46.879 The Lord. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:47.879 The Lord. 00:02:47.879 --> 00:02:48.879 The Lord. 00:02:48.879 --> 00:02:49.879 The Lord. 00:02:49.879 --> 00:02:50.879 Amen. 00:02:50.879 --> 00:02:51.879 Amen. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:56.879 Well, in order to understand these verses more fully, we need to give them a bit of context. 00:02:56.879 --> 00:03:00.159 So if you have your Bibles open, flip back with me to Exodus chapter 3. 00:03:00.159 --> 00:03:13.800 We're just going to look back to this first personal encounter that Moses has with God because it allows us to understand more fully what's going on here in Exodus chapter 34. 00:03:13.800 --> 00:03:20.800 So Moses in Exodus chapter 3 sees a bush that's burning but not consumed by the flames. 00:03:21.800 --> 00:03:26.340 And as Moses approaches to get a closer look, God calls to Moses from the bush. 00:03:26.340 --> 00:03:33.060 God tells Moses that he is sending him to Pharaoh to bring the people of Israel out of Egypt. 00:03:33.200 --> 00:03:35.039 And that's where we're going to pick it up in verse 13. 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:36.159 If you look with me. 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:45.199 Then Moses said to God, if I come to the people of Israel and say to them, the God of your fathers has sent me to you. 00:03:45.199 --> 00:03:48.139 And they ask me, what is his name? 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:50.519 What shall I say to them? 00:03:51.979 --> 00:03:56.400 God said to Moses, I am who I am. 00:03:58.939 --> 00:04:02.199 God gives a three-part answer to Moses' question. 00:04:02.199 --> 00:04:05.240 When they ask me what your name is, what should I say? 00:04:06.159 --> 00:04:12.199 This is another one of those moments of divine disclosure that I mentioned that is pregnant with meaning and significance. 00:04:12.439 --> 00:04:13.639 It's never exhausted. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:17.379 The first part of God's response we just read right there. 00:04:17.480 --> 00:04:19.560 I am who I am. 00:04:20.300 --> 00:04:24.560 Which could be translated, I will be who I will be. 00:04:25.819 --> 00:04:29.860 Now this is not God's name, but it's the meaning of God's name. 00:04:30.560 --> 00:04:35.959 Before God gives Moses his name, he tells Moses that he is completely self-determining. 00:04:36.760 --> 00:04:48.000 That is to say, there are zero constraints and zero other factors that determine who God is or what God's going to do other than what God himself determines. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:50.940 According to the counsel of his will. 00:04:51.460 --> 00:04:53.879 I will be who I will be. 00:04:54.820 --> 00:05:00.580 God will never be manipulated through the use of his name to do something he doesn't want to do. 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:02.539 I am who I am. 00:05:03.839 --> 00:05:07.719 These words also communicate that God is the always existing one. 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:10.599 He was and he is and he is to come. 00:05:11.240 --> 00:05:17.719 He alone has existed in eternity past and all things that exist owe their very existence to him. 00:05:19.560 --> 00:05:22.759 He has always existed and yet he never changes. 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:25.879 He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 00:05:25.879 --> 00:05:31.879 Or as James puts it, with him there is no variation or shadow due to change. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:33.540 I am who I am. 00:05:33.740 --> 00:05:35.939 I will be who I will be. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:41.620 Well then God continues in the second part of his answer at the end of verse 14. 00:05:42.779 --> 00:05:44.980 And he said, say this to the people of Israel. 00:05:45.159 --> 00:05:47.399 Say, I am has sent me to you. 00:05:48.699 --> 00:05:51.759 Well now God shortens the expression to just the words I am. 00:05:51.759 --> 00:05:51.800 I am. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:54.659 This still isn't God's name. 00:05:54.759 --> 00:06:01.120 But if you look at the bottom of the page in your Bible, there might be a footnote that tells you that God's name and the verb I am sound alike. 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.180 And are built out of the same verb. 00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:07.800 So God is using a play on words to give the meaning of his name, I am. 00:06:07.939 --> 00:06:10.839 Which is short for I am who I am. 00:06:12.199 --> 00:06:15.519 Now God is ready to reveal his personal name in verse 15. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:19.639 God also said to Moses, say this to the people of Israel. 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:25.060 The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the God of Jacob has sent me to you. 00:06:25.159 --> 00:06:26.699 This is my name forever. 00:06:27.639 --> 00:06:30.859 And thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:34.120 You might be thinking, hmm. 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:37.759 It's an interesting choice in name, the Lord. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:46.339 But if you look at the bottom of the page in your Bible again, you'll likely have another footnote telling you that the Lord is a substitute for the divine name. 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:52.319 The earliest Hebrew manuscripts that we have access to had only consonants and no vowels. 00:06:52.519 --> 00:06:55.959 So we're not exactly sure how to pronounce God's name. 00:06:56.019 --> 00:06:59.219 But in all likelihood it was pronounced something like Yahweh. 00:07:00.360 --> 00:07:04.459 Which means he is who he is. 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:11.719 Out of reverence for God's name and to keep people from using it in vain, people stopped saying the name and replaced it with Adonai. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:18.060 When vowels were added to the Hebrew text, much later the consonants of God's name were kept. 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:21.359 But they were combined with the vowels from Adonai. 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:27.519 And this led to God's name being pronounced Yehovah or Jehovah. 00:07:27.519 --> 00:07:35.180 Many English translations have carried on the tradition of protecting God's name by translating Lord instead of Yahweh. 00:07:35.279 --> 00:07:42.819 So anytime you see the word Lord in all caps in your Bible, that's standing in place of God's personal name. 00:07:43.899 --> 00:07:50.319 The problem with that is the Lord is what he is, but Yahweh, it's who he is. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:53.139 All right, fast forward with me now. 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:54.040 That was Exodus 3. 00:07:54.180 --> 00:08:02.719 Fast forward with me past the ten plagues, past the crossing of the Red Sea, where God delivers his people out of Egypt, makes a covenant with them at Mount Sinai. 00:08:03.319 --> 00:08:09.740 He gives them the terms of the covenant, the book of the law, which contains the ten commandments that they are to keep. 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:13.579 And then Moses goes up the mountain again. 00:08:14.939 --> 00:08:17.259 God tells Moses how to build the tabernacle. 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:21.439 God tells Moses that Aaron and his sons will be the priests. 00:08:21.639 --> 00:08:24.139 And God tells Moses what the priests should wear. 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:29.439 Meanwhile, Aaron is busy at the bottom of the mountain fashioning a golden calf. 00:08:30.779 --> 00:08:33.019 An idol for the people of Israel to worship. 00:08:34.200 --> 00:08:41.379 Almost immediately after receiving the ten commandments, the people of Israel broke the first couple commands in an egregious way. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:45.779 It's as if the people of Israel are committing adultery on their wedding night. 00:08:45.779 --> 00:08:55.079 In chapter 32 and 33 of Exodus, Moses spends a great deal of time interceding for the people of Israel, praying for them. 00:08:57.299 --> 00:08:59.199 Moses asks God to forgive them. 00:09:00.819 --> 00:09:04.519 Moses wants to make sure that God is still going to go with them to the promised land. 00:09:05.799 --> 00:09:09.779 Moses wants to know if God is still committed to his sinful people. 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:15.759 And that's where we're going to pick the story up again in verse 18 of chapter 33. 00:09:17.100 --> 00:09:19.839 Moses said, please show me your glory. 00:09:21.579 --> 00:09:25.879 And God said, I will make all my goodness pass before you. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:29.799 And proclaim before you my name, Yahweh. 00:09:30.360 --> 00:09:32.559 And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:35.879 And will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:40.539 So Moses asks to see God's glory. 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:45.720 God promises to make all of his goodness pass before him. 00:09:45.799 --> 00:09:48.600 God promises to proclaim his name to him. 00:09:48.779 --> 00:09:49.600 Those things are related. 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:54.080 Right after God repeats his name, Yahweh. 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:55.840 I will be who I will be. 00:09:55.919 --> 00:09:57.500 He says something like it, doesn't he? 00:09:58.080 --> 00:10:00.580 I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. 00:10:00.580 --> 00:10:04.360 And I will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. 00:10:04.560 --> 00:10:10.300 Part of what it means for God to be God is that he decides who he's gracious to. 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:14.320 He decides who receives his mercy. 00:10:16.400 --> 00:10:19.900 If you've ever wondered, why is one person saved and not another? 00:10:20.020 --> 00:10:23.240 The most fundamental part of that answer can be found in these words. 00:10:23.240 --> 00:10:26.799 Reflecting on this verse in the New Testament, Paul says, 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:32.220 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God who has mercy. 00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:40.799 Just as God cannot be constrained or coerced by any outside factors in anything he does, 00:10:40.879 --> 00:10:43.519 his grace cannot be manipulated. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:47.379 God is sovereign over the dispensing of his grace, 00:10:47.460 --> 00:10:51.019 and he does so according to the counsel of his will. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:56.240 And when we consider the sinfulness of every heart in this room, mine included, 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:59.939 it's amazing that God has mercy on anyone, isn't it? 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:05.399 So God continues his response to Moses in verse 20. 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:13.120 But you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live. 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:15.600 And Yahweh said, 00:11:15.699 --> 00:11:20.319 Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock while my glory passes by. 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:25.960 And I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 00:11:26.879 --> 00:11:32.200 Then I will take away my hand, and you shall see my back, but my face shall not be seen. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:38.780 God will allow Moses to see his glory, but only a partial glimpse. 00:11:38.920 --> 00:11:39.620 Did you catch that? 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:46.400 No one can fully behold the visible splendor and the majesty of our God and live to tell about it. 00:11:46.399 --> 00:11:52.600 Moses can only see what one pastor calls the afterburn of God's glory. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:59.340 God then instructs Moses to come up again to him on the mountain with two stone tablets. 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:04.879 The Ten Commandments need to be rewritten since Moses broke the last set of stones in anger. 00:12:04.879 --> 00:12:10.240 God also tells Moses to make sure that no one else can be seen on the mountain. 00:12:11.159 --> 00:12:14.879 So Moses gets up early in the morning, cuts the stones, climbs the mountain. 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:19.419 Then look with me at verse 5, chapter 34. 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:26.679 Yahweh descended in the cloud and stood with Moses there and proclaimed the name of the Lord. 00:12:26.679 --> 00:12:32.959 Yahweh passed before him and proclaimed, Yahweh, Yahweh, God merciful and gracious, 00:12:33.639 --> 00:12:38.179 slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 00:12:40.279 --> 00:12:47.379 God honors his promise to Moses to proclaim his name to him and make his goodness, his glory pass by him. 00:12:48.859 --> 00:12:50.740 But Moses already knew God's name. 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:57.279 Why is God so insistent on proclaiming his name to Moses here? 00:12:59.259 --> 00:13:00.340 It's a good question. 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:07.200 I think the answer is that just as I am who I am communicates the meaning of God's name, 00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:13.080 in the same way these words in verses 6 and 7 communicate the meaning of God's name. 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.940 They tell us who God is. 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:17.399 What God is like. 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:23.019 This is the answer God is giving to the question, who is Yahweh? 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:30.199 It's striking that Moses sees God's glory by hearing his word. 00:13:30.480 --> 00:13:31.159 Did you catch that? 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:33.220 Isn't that really encouraging? 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:41.500 You have access to the same message that Moses heard when you open up your Bible. 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:48.379 You can see glimpses of God's glory by reading and hearing God's word. 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.620 I hope you're encouraged by that. 00:13:51.679 --> 00:13:56.980 God could have said something to the effect, Yahweh, Yahweh, I got sovereign and powerful. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:03.820 Or, Yahweh, Yahweh, I got wise and all-knowing. 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:11.100 But rather, God tells us that his goodness is communicated in relational terms. 00:14:12.520 --> 00:14:17.660 God wants Moses to see the glory of his goodness towards sinful people. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:23.160 If you're asking, why does God choose a sinful people to make a covenant with? 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:32.740 The answer may be this, that God is most glorified in displaying his goodness towards sinful people. 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:36.340 If you're a note taker, I want you to write down these five traits. 00:14:36.480 --> 00:14:39.220 So, if you want to sketch them down, these five things. 00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:40.180 God is gracious. 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.000 That's one. 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:44.100 God is merciful. 00:14:45.180 --> 00:14:45.620 That's two. 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:47.799 God is patient. 00:14:49.580 --> 00:14:51.720 God is rich in love. 00:14:53.259 --> 00:14:55.320 And God is great in faithfulness. 00:14:56.240 --> 00:14:57.120 God is gracious. 00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.480 God is merciful. 00:14:58.740 --> 00:14:59.659 God is patient. 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:01.579 God is rich in love. 00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:04.179 And God is great in faithfulness. 00:15:04.819 --> 00:15:06.019 That's who God is. 00:15:07.719 --> 00:15:10.319 God shows Moses his heart towards sinful people. 00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:12.819 He has compassion on them. 00:15:14.059 --> 00:15:15.639 He has compassion on you. 00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:19.439 He showers them with good things. 00:15:20.159 --> 00:15:22.100 He shares his very presence with them. 00:15:22.199 --> 00:15:25.159 He's patient with them in the midst of their waywardness. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:31.199 How does God treat a people who are prone to wander away from him? 00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:32.360 He remains faithful. 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:34.319 Never breaks a promise. 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.480 Keeps his word. 00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:40.219 God has chosen to set his affection on sinful people. 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:43.299 And because he loves them, he remains faithful to them. 00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:45.579 Because he loves them, he's patient with them. 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:49.339 And has compassion on them like a father does for his children. 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:52.560 Because he loves them, he doesn't give them what they deserve. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:55.019 But he gives them good in return for evil. 00:15:57.240 --> 00:16:00.200 I stole a phrase from Dave Ramsey so that when people ask me, 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.240 Adam, how are you doing? 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:04.480 I like to respond, better than I deserve. 00:16:06.340 --> 00:16:10.540 There's not one person who's ever lived that couldn't say the same thing. 00:16:12.180 --> 00:16:13.920 Better than I deserve. 00:16:14.019 --> 00:16:18.280 And if you don't think that's true, it's because you're confused about what you actually deserve. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:27.539 Psalm 103 is David's extended reflection on this revelation that God gives to Moses. 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.519 It's a great psalm. 00:16:30.659 --> 00:16:37.019 After repeating these five descriptions, God is gracious, merciful, patient, rich in love, great in faithfulness. 00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:43.919 David says this, he does not deal with us according to our sins. 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:50.319 So in your little notepad that you sketch those five things, put a banner over the top of those five things. 00:16:50.459 --> 00:16:52.679 Put like a little banner over the top that says, 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:57.919 He does not deal with me according to my sin. 00:16:59.979 --> 00:17:02.740 That's the main point that God wants to communicate this morning. 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:08.720 Give some space when you get home to meditate on that sentence. 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:19.279 If your heart is far from God, it may be because you haven't given that sentence some fresh reflection or to think about it with clarity. 00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:24.039 You've grown dull to how bad your sin really is. 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:30.120 You've become hardened to the richness of the grace that God has extended to you in Christ. 00:17:30.119 --> 00:17:38.799 These character traits of God in that sentence is the spark that David uses to ignite the fire of worship in his soul. 00:17:39.639 --> 00:17:43.299 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and bless His holy name. 00:17:44.479 --> 00:17:47.159 He doesn't deal with you according to your sins. 00:17:47.160 --> 00:17:56.680 I think it's as if David is looking at the response of Moses who quickly bows and worships Yahweh and says, 00:17:57.040 --> 00:17:59.420 That's the response all of us should have. 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.120 Come on, soul, bless the Lord. 00:18:02.080 --> 00:18:02.960 Bless Yahweh. 00:18:03.120 --> 00:18:04.940 Everything that's in me, bless Him. 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:07.440 He doesn't deal with me according to my sin. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.740 It's reason for worship. 00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:18.960 In verse 7, God moves seamlessly from character traits to the way that those character traits manifest themselves in action. 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:22.720 Keeping steadfast love for thousands. 00:18:23.740 --> 00:18:26.319 Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:30.000 But who will by no means clear the guilty. 00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:36.099 Visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation. 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:41.519 Moses quickly bowed his head toward the earth and worshiped. 00:18:42.619 --> 00:18:44.559 Notice the three action words. 00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:44.980 Keeping. 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.559 Forgiving. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:49.939 Not clearing, but visiting. 00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:59.000 It's unclear in our text as to whether God keeps steadfast love for thousands of people or to a thousand generations. 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:01.159 The ESV just says thousands. 00:19:02.480 --> 00:19:05.179 But other passages make it clear what God means here. 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:08.259 For example, Deuteronomy 7, 9. 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:12.000 Know therefore that Yahweh, your God, is God. 00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:21.140 The faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations. 00:19:22.900 --> 00:19:27.460 His love and His faithfulness never come to an end. 00:19:27.600 --> 00:19:29.519 Generation after generation. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.139 Generation after generation. 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:30.240 Generation after generation. 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:30.519 Generation after generation. 00:19:30.519 --> 00:19:31.519 Generation after generation. 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:32.200 Generation after generation. 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:40.379 The word keeps here is telling because it's talking specifically about God's covenant love. 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:47.059 God has covenanted Himself to a sinful people and He maintains His love for them. 00:19:47.139 --> 00:19:50.819 And one of the ways He does that is by forgiving sin. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:57.839 God not only keeps love in His covenant with Israel, but He forgives sin. 00:19:58.919 --> 00:20:03.379 Forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin. 00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:12.060 My hunch is that God uses three different words for sin here to communicate that He doesn't just forgive the small sins. 00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:17.960 God's use of three different words accentuates the extent of God's forgiveness. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:21.220 He forgives all kinds of sins. 00:20:22.520 --> 00:20:24.840 Iniquity, transgression, sin. 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:33.459 And while God forgives sins, nonetheless, He reserves the right to punish sins. 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:39.759 Visiting the iniquity of the fathers and the children and the children's children to the third and the fourth generation. 00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:46.359 The question should be in our minds, how do we know who the guilty are who aren't cleared? 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:52.459 But rather whose sin is visited to the third and fourth generation. 00:20:54.839 --> 00:21:00.259 Well, when God gave His people the Ten Commandments, He said something similar to what we find here in verse 7. 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.939 So this is in Exodus chapter 20. 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:02.639 It says, 00:21:02.959 --> 00:21:05.039 I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:11.899 Visiting the iniquity of the fathers and the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. 00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:17.819 But showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commands. 00:21:19.079 --> 00:21:23.679 So that tells us a little bit about which people are in each category. 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:28.080 Those who oppose God can only expect God's opposition. 00:21:29.340 --> 00:21:36.740 Those who love God, albeit imperfectly, can expect His perfect, steadfast love. 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:44.240 Perhaps there are some of us here this morning that have been keeping God at arm's length. 00:21:46.580 --> 00:21:49.019 For one reason or another, you're distant from God. 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:57.599 Maybe you've lived your life ignoring God, but you're convinced you're okay because you're not as bad as some others you know. 00:21:59.460 --> 00:22:05.220 Maybe you've recently become distant from God because of a particular pattern of behavior that you don't want to cut ties with. 00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:10.660 I think Paul addresses this very thing in Romans chapter 2. 00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.059 He says, 00:22:11.160 --> 00:22:19.799 Do you presume on the riches of God's kindness and forbearance and patience? 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:25.720 In other words, are you presuming on the very character of God as it's revealed in our text this morning? 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:30.420 Not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance. 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:39.380 The last thing we should do is read Exodus 34, 6 and 7 and think that we in any way have a license to sin. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:48.620 Rather, God's kindness toward us, His patience, His slowness to anger is meant to lead us to make a definitive break with sin. 00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:59.099 God wants to woo us to woo us to Himself with His goodness, with His patience, with His kindness. 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:07.519 But everyone who refuses to turn away from sin but persists in it, 00:23:08.279 --> 00:23:13.279 everyone who manifests a hard heart toward God through unrepentance, Paul says, 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:18.720 is storing up wrath for themselves on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:25.259 You see, the danger for us this morning is that we hear the glorious character of God set forth in these verses. 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:32.480 His gracious, merciful, patient, loving, faithful way of dealing with sinful people like us. 00:23:33.819 --> 00:23:38.779 And we respond with presumption or indifference toward our sin. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:45.039 Rather than igniting the fire of worship in us, we remain lukewarm. 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:51.779 Rather than leading us to repentance, we presume we're saved regardless of repentance. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:24:02.279 For those of you who have remained distant from God for perhaps the majority or most or all of your life, 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:04.180 I want to say that there's good news this morning. 00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:11.759 And that is that reflecting on the grace, mercy, patience, and love of God in Psalm 145, 00:24:12.640 --> 00:24:13.680 David says this, 00:24:14.539 --> 00:24:17.500 Yahweh is near to all who call on Him. 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:21.640 To all who call on Him in truth. 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:27.140 That is, all who call on God with sincere, genuine faith, 00:24:27.340 --> 00:24:29.620 He will bring to Himself. 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:37.899 Or to use the wording of James, draw near to God and He will draw near to you. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:39.739 It's just the kind of God He is. 00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:44.799 God in His mercy and in His grace 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:49.919 still reserves the right to punish sin. 00:24:49.920 --> 00:24:53.680 I don't think it would be right though to come away from these verses 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:58.600 with the idea that God only brings consequences on the sins of those who hate Him. 00:24:58.640 --> 00:25:02.779 And there's no consequences for our sins as God's people. 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:09.600 We know that God's children sometimes face temporary, refining punishment for their sins as well. 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:12.880 There is fallout from sin. 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:21.160 We even see this reality of God visiting the sins of the father's sins to the third and fourth generation 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:22.980 in the lives of God's covenant people. 00:25:23.120 --> 00:25:28.240 For example, the seed of Abraham's deception of Pharaoh and Abimelech 00:25:28.240 --> 00:25:29.840 shows up again in his son Isaac. 00:25:31.240 --> 00:25:33.520 And in his son Jacob. 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:37.980 And then it comes to full flower in the deception of Joseph's brothers. 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:45.380 God visits the sin of Abraham in that case to the third and the fourth generation 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:47.599 before Joseph makes a definitive break. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:53.640 But the beautiful reality of our verses this morning is the contrast 00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:57.500 between God's steadfast love to a thousand generations 00:25:57.500 --> 00:26:01.120 and God's punishment to the third and the fourth. 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:05.860 I think Jeremiah in Lamentations is reflecting on this when he says, 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:08.399 The Lord will not cast off forever. 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:13.259 And though He cause grief, He will have compassion. 00:26:14.299 --> 00:26:17.659 According to the abundance of His steadfast love. 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:22.339 He doesn't afflict or grieve His children from His heart. 00:26:23.699 --> 00:26:25.539 Or again in Lamentations 3, He says, 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:28.919 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:34.139 Generation after generation, His mercies never come to an end. 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:36.100 They are new every morning. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:40.020 Great is your faithfulness. 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:46.259 Hurricane Ian hit the shores of Fort Myers in the fall of 2022. 00:26:46.560 --> 00:26:47.900 My parents have a place there. 00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:52.140 So I remember following in the coverage of that hurricane as it was happening. 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:54.560 And I remember some of the news. 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:59.200 One person in particular was a gentleman recording from his phone on the balcony. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:03.160 And he was just showing that all around, everywhere you look was just water. 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:07.620 And then he looked at one area in particular and said, 00:27:08.100 --> 00:27:09.779 That used to be a pool. 00:27:11.240 --> 00:27:12.740 But now the pool is gone. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:17.259 But I think more accurately we could say, 00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:19.259 The pool is still there. 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:22.359 It's just been engulfed in an ocean. 00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:30.200 And I think what God is communicating this morning is that His right to punish sin is still there. 00:27:30.299 --> 00:27:34.759 But it is engulfed in His steadfast love for His people. 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:41.480 God's right to punish sin is still there in the lives of His children. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:43.859 But it has been swallowed up by His love. 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:46.240 So that even when God visits the sins of His people, 00:27:46.339 --> 00:27:49.900 He does so in a way that serves their eternal good. 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.140 How great is our God? 00:27:54.400 --> 00:27:55.859 You might be sitting in your seat thinking, 00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:58.079 But why does God visit the iniquity on the children? 00:28:00.839 --> 00:28:01.799 That's a good question. 00:28:01.799 --> 00:28:03.680 And there is some mystery here. 00:28:04.759 --> 00:28:11.039 Why does God execute His judgment for sin on the loved ones of those committing the sin? 00:28:12.460 --> 00:28:15.339 The reality is that sin is a social thing. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:20.619 Our sin always has consequences for our loved ones, 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:22.460 even our most secret of sins. 00:28:23.879 --> 00:28:28.779 You fool yourself if you think sin is merely a private thing affecting only you. 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:37.259 You see, my secret sins dull my capacity to rejoice in and love Jesus. 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:40.440 They snuff out my love for others. 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:44.420 They diminish my abilities as a dad or a husband or a pastor. 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.279 Sin does that. 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:51.940 And yes, children often bear the brunt of the fallout from our sin. 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:56.000 We need to look no further than the Exodus generation, 00:28:56.420 --> 00:29:00.899 whose children wandered in the desert for 40 years because of their unfaithfulness. 00:29:02.899 --> 00:29:09.539 And yet, no child bears ultimate judgment from God because of their parents' sin. 00:29:09.539 --> 00:29:13.139 One pastor put it like this, 00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.720 Sin is a disease. 00:29:15.859 --> 00:29:18.759 My children don't suffer because I have the disease. 00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:21.920 My children suffer because they get the disease from me, 00:29:22.019 --> 00:29:23.599 and they have it too. 00:29:25.759 --> 00:29:27.039 That's the reality of sin. 00:29:27.099 --> 00:29:27.899 All of us have it. 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:34.920 All of us receive just punishment from God because we have that sinful disease in us. 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:39.460 All of us have a need to turn to God and call on His names 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:41.820 in hopes that He will draw near to us. 00:29:44.040 --> 00:29:50.160 And yet, there is one who stands as yet having never sinned. 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:53.280 And if we ask the question, 00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:57.140 In God's providence, why would a child bear the consequence for sin? 00:29:57.140 --> 00:30:00.060 We must take into consideration Christ. 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:06.040 In God's providence, generations and generations and generations of people's sin 00:30:06.040 --> 00:30:08.900 were poured out on Him. 00:30:11.360 --> 00:30:13.400 And as Jesus goes to the cross, 00:30:13.520 --> 00:30:15.700 One who is full of grace, full of truth, 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:20.020 perfectly reflecting the heart of the Father as is revealed in Exodus 34, 00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:22.500 we see for the first time with clarity 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:25.020 the justice and the forgiveness of God 00:30:25.019 --> 00:30:28.019 meeting in a way that should draw us to our knees 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:30.319 and bring us to worship our Heavenly Father 00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.819 and God the Son. 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:35.420 The crucifixion of Jesus 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:37.519 waves across the pages of Scripture 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.779 like a banner that reads, 00:30:39.139 --> 00:30:40.579 God does not deal with me 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:42.879 according to my sin. 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.000 God dealt with Jesus 00:30:48.000 --> 00:30:49.099 according to my sin. 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:55.759 God does not deal with you 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:57.399 according to your sin. 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:59.039 If you have faith in Jesus, 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.519 God dealt with Jesus 00:31:00.519 --> 00:31:03.099 according to your sin. 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:04.539 That's why we can receive 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.399 forgiveness 00:31:05.399 --> 00:31:07.699 and mercy 00:31:07.699 --> 00:31:10.119 and patience from God. 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:13.959 Jesus did not get what He deserved 00:31:13.959 --> 00:31:15.159 on the cross 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:18.579 in order that we don't get what we deserve 00:31:18.579 --> 00:31:19.619 for our sin. 00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:23.679 When we come to the beautiful 00:31:23.679 --> 00:31:25.579 and climactic revelation 00:31:25.579 --> 00:31:26.659 of the heart of God 00:31:26.659 --> 00:31:27.599 and the person of Jesus, 00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.619 it's fitting then 00:31:28.619 --> 00:31:30.519 that Jesus' name is 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:32.599 Yeshua. 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:35.239 Yahweh is salvation. 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:37.519 In the person of Jesus, 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.579 we see the love 00:31:38.579 --> 00:31:40.019 and the faithfulness of God 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.980 on display 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:42.440 in all of its riches. 00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:45.460 In the person of Jesus, 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.839 the heavenly storehouses 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.539 of God's saving graces 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.420 and mercies 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.440 gush forth 00:31:50.440 --> 00:31:51.960 for those who trust 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.539 in Him. 00:31:57.660 --> 00:32:00.139 So as we read Exodus 34, 00:32:00.619 --> 00:32:01.859 6 and 7 00:32:01.859 --> 00:32:03.440 with an eye to Jesus, 00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.900 let's allow that to 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:06.960 stoke the fire of worship 00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.700 in our soul. 00:32:10.299 --> 00:32:11.180 Let's be quick 00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:12.779 to make a definitive break 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:14.019 and turn away from sin 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.559 and turn to Christ 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.319 in faith. 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.680 If God is calling out 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.600 through His voice 00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.579 this morning, 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:20.799 don't harden your heart, 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.700 but draw near to Him 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:24.200 by calling on His name 00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:25.200 in truth. 00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:26.400 Let's pray. 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.460 Amen. 00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:26.519 Amen. 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:26.960 Amen. 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.299 Amen. 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:27.460 Amen. 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:27.519 Amen. 00:32:27.519 --> 00:32:27.559 Amen. 00:32:27.559 --> 00:32:28.460 Amen. 00:32:28.460 --> 00:32:29.460 Amen. 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.519 Amen. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.460 Amen. 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:30.519 Amen. 00:32:30.519 --> 00:32:31.460 Amen. 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:31.519 Amen. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.460 Amen. 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:32.519 Amen. 00:32:32.519 --> 00:32:33.460 Amen. 00:32:33.460 --> 00:32:33.519 Amen. 00:32:33.519 --> 00:32:33.559 Amen. 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.960 Amen. 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.960 Amen. 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.960 Amen. 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:40.960 Amen. 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.500 Father in heaven, 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:44.220 we praise You 00:32:44.220 --> 00:32:45.059 for being a God 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:46.140 who is gracious, 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.640 merciful, 00:32:48.019 --> 00:32:48.940 slow to anger, 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:50.100 abounding in love, 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.700 great in faithfulness. 00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.380 Father, 00:32:55.480 --> 00:32:56.779 would You be wooing us 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.640 to Yourself 00:32:57.640 --> 00:32:59.140 again and again 00:32:59.140 --> 00:33:01.940 by putting on display 00:33:01.940 --> 00:33:03.259 Your glory, 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:06.379 Your goodness 00:33:06.379 --> 00:33:07.500 as You deal with us 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:08.200 sinful people. 00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:10.220 Father, 00:33:10.299 --> 00:33:11.420 I pray for all of us 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:11.980 that our hearts 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.000 would be drawing near 00:33:13.000 --> 00:33:14.720 to You now. 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.839 Would You give us 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.879 the response of Moses 00:33:17.879 --> 00:33:18.759 that we would quickly 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.500 bow our heads 00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:20.920 and worship the one true God. 00:33:21.000 --> 00:33:22.019 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:33:22.420 --> 00:33:22.660 Amen.