God’s Story Is Our Story: From Genesis To JesusSample

Reflecting on the last week: This description of God’s character is, perhaps, the most important (and repeated) in the whole Old Testament. To see the beauty of it, we must remember its context: Israel’s decision (only a month into their covenant with God) to worship a golden calf. Just think, after seeing God’s power in Egypt and after being set free from generational chattel slavery, it only takes a month to break God’s first, second and third laws. The prophets later compare this rebellion to a cheating spouse. That is, at least, how it feels to God—like his wife slept with a different man. Nonetheless, in the face of this tragic betrayal, God’s steadfast love shines through. Some are punished (32:35), but thousands upon thousands receive his unmerited mercy. This should not lead us to take his grace lightly, but marvel at the depth of his love. How can God forgive so many people of something so gravely hurtful and dishonoring? The answer we get here is profound for its simplicity: that’s just the kind of God he is. We know, looking forward, that God’s steadfast love finds its fullest expression in Jesus. His death at the hands of his own people is how God forgives. His resurrection is the sign that his forgiveness is effective—it changes us down to our very atoms. How have we cheated on God? What are the idols we’ve chosen over him? How do we break his law, settle for small injustices, turn a blind eye? All of this is a betrayal of the loving and just God! Yet, we may equally ask: do we trust in his steadfast love to cover our sin? Do we accept his forgiveness as sufficient and effective? Do we let it change us from the inside out, as we find deep security in his love?