Exodus 34-35, Matthew 22:23-46 • Key Verse: Exodus 34:6-7

Critics of the Bible sometimes speak negatively about the God of the Old Testament, stating that the God of the New Testament is preferred. One of the most obvious problems with that viewpoint is that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are the same.

In the Old Testament God describes Himself as ‘“the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin’” (34:6-7).

Those who reject the God of the Old Testament must not have read these verses. When Moses heard these words, however, he worshiped.

The context of this statement adds to its poignancy. Moses had brought a new set of stone tablets upon which God would write the commandments. This was the second set of tablets; Moses had broken the first when he saw how the people had so quickly forgotten their commitment to God’s law. After the golden calf incident, God proclaimed Himself compassionate and forgiving.

God is the unchanging God of grace, in both testaments. Be thankful that He does not change.

Think for a moment about how God has forgiven you. Then thank Him for His abundant mercy.

Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in