I’d like to focus today on the statement of God’s ‘name’ in Exodus 34:5-7. God’s ‘name’ in this context denotes his nature. The dominant note of the declaration that follows is that of compassion, love and grace. This is unique in an ancient context in which pagan gods cared little for humans. But what about “visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children….to the third and the fourth generation”? This is referring to the inevitable domino effect that our actions will have. God does not hold children culpable for their parents’ sins (Ezekiel 18:20). But God is committed to allowing human beings to live in our collectively created mess so we might wake up and turn back to him. So, he lets the dominos fall. But why does God include this in the declaration of his name? What does this say about God? It certainly highlights the depth of human responsibility and how serious sin is. But the seriousness of sin is ultimately weighed against the majesty and goodness of the one against whom we sin. And this is the point. To rebel against God is to defy the infinite and eternal creator and sustainer of all things. It is also to show contempt for one who is so wonderfully good and gracious. The weight of such an offense is unmeasurable. It contorts our very souls and sends shockwaves down through the generations. But the moment we repent of our sins and those of our ancestors (the form of confession modeled in Daniel 9 and Ezra 9) we will find grace, healing and restoration. And this will resound to a thousand generations.
Apply the prayer of Daniel to yourself, your family and your people.
Read Exodus 34:5-7 and Daniel 9:4-19.
