Following the Golden Calf incident
and considering that Israel was a stiff-necked people and would not easily change their ways (Ex 32:9 and 33:5) YHVH
instructed Moses to continue on to Canaan without His Presence. But Moses, unwilling
to accept this decision, begged for YHVH's mercy.
"And Moses beseeched YHVH; you have instructed me to lead this people, but recognize that this nation is
YOUR people.
YHVH answered: I will lead you only. But Moses insisted:
unless your presence will go with us do not make us leave this place. For how should it be
known that Your people have gained Your favor unless You go with
us." (Ex 33:12-16)
Moses demanded that YHVH
keep His Presence with them, threatening a 'sit down strike' should YHVH refuse. YHVH now faced a most difficult predicament.
On one hand, He could not allow His Shechinah to return - for according to the terms of the Sinai
Covenant, the people could not survive His anger, and would eventually be killed. On the
other hand, they could not be left in the desert to die because the Abrahamic Covenant must be fulfilled! Still,
Moses was unwilling to go any further unless the Shechinah returned.
Divine Mercy Introduced
"And YHVH said to Moses, I will
also do this thing that you request." (return His Shechinah)
Moses asked for proof, and YHVH agreed.
"I will pass all my goodness before you,
and I will proclaim My Name before you, and I will pardon he whom I
will pardon and I will have mercy on he to whom I give mercy." (Ex
33:17-22)
In contrast to the original
threat of immediate punishment for sin, YHVH agreed to give Israel a second chance.
This divine promise set the stage for the forging of a New Covenant though which the Sinai
Covenant could be re-established, and the Shechinah return. YHVH instructed Moses
to ascend Mount Sinai one more time to receive the Second Tablets. (Ex 34:1-5)
The laws remained the same, however the terms were amended with YHVH's attributes
of Mercy. (Ex 33:19)
"YHVH came down in a cloud and passed before him and proclaimed; YHVH, YHVH, El full of Mercy and
Grace, Long Suffering and Abundant in Goodness and Truth. Keeping Mercy for thousands, Forgiving iniquity, transgression
and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third
and to the forth generation." (Ex 34:5-8)
The Ten Commandments include
not only laws, but also describe how rewards and punishments will be applied.
"I am YHVH your Elohim.
You shall have no other gods besides
Me.
Do not bow down to them or worship
them, for I, YHVH am a zealous Elohim, remembering the sins of parents upon their
children for those who reject Me, but showing kindness for those who love me and follow my laws." (Ex 20:2-6)
The second commandment
includes three divine attributes:
- EL KANA - a zealous El
- HARSH punishment for those who reject (hate) YHVH
- Kindness and rewards for those who follow (love) YHVH.
Similarly, in the third
commandment we find yet another divine attribute - He will not forgive.
"Do not say in vain the Name
of YHVH - for YHVH will not forgive those who say his Name in vain." (Ex 20:7)
These attributes seem
to be quite harsh, but they also assure immediate
reward for those who obey.
Immediately after the sin of
the 'golden calf' YHVH was ready to execute "justice".
"YHVH told Moses, go down from
the mountain for your people have sinned, they made a golden image, and now allow Me, and I will kindle My anger against
them that I may destroy them." (Ex 32:7-10)
Moses, however, pleaded for "mercy" and consequently was called back to the top of
the mountain, to receive an additional set of commandment. (Ex 20:15-19). At the conclusion of
those laws YHVH made the following promise.
"Behold, I am sending an angel
before you to guard you on the way and help bring you into the Promised Land. Be careful
of him and obey him. Do not defy him - for He shall not pardon your
sins, since My Name is with him. But should you obey Him and do all that I say - I will help you defeat your
enemies." (Ex 23:20-24)
From Judgment To Mercy
Notice how Judgment
(First Tablets) was replaced by Mercy (Second Tablets.)
FIRST TABLETS SECOND TABLETS
1) Jealous
Full of Mercy
2) Immediate Punishment Postponement of punishment
3) Rewarding
Mercy and Truth
4) No forgiveness Forgiveness
of sin
5) No removal of sin Removal of all sin
6) Quick to Anger Slow to anger Long Suffering
Each divine attribute from the
first set of tablets switched from judgement to mercy in the second set of tablets.
"And Moses hastened
to bow down and said: If I have indeed gained favor in Your eyes, Let YHVH go in our midst even
though they are a stiff necked people, and you shall pardon our sin." (Ex 34:8-9)
YHVH's proclamation that He will
now act in a less strict manner enabled Moses to request that the Shechinah return to
the people even in their stiff necked state. This request stood in direct contrast to the original
threat, "I will not go up with them for they are a stiff necked people,
less I smite them on their journey." (Ex 33:3 compared with
Ex 34:9)
To be worthy of YHVH's presence, we
must behave perfectly. However, we are still human and though we strive for perfection, we often err and
even sins. How then could we ever come close to YHVH? To allow mortal man the potential to continue a relationship
with YHVH, a new set of rules was necessary - one that included Mercy.
The original terms at Mount Sinai, although
ideal, were not practical. In this manner, YHVH's Mercies allowed this new covenant to become
'achievable'. This reflection of Kindness enabled man to approach YHVH and develop a closer relationship
without the fear of immediate punishment for any transgression.
The Second Tablets offer
us Mercy but do not guarantee automatic forgiveness. Rather, they
enable the possibility of forgiveness - YHVH will forgive only whom He chooses. (Ex 33:19)
To receive Mercy the individual must experience true repentance - prove his sincerity
to YHVH, while accepting upon himself not to repeat his bad ways.
Related
Topic:
The Thirteen Attributes
The Purpose Of The Commandments
