Exo 34:6-7, Isa 43:25, Mic 7:18 | JFB | STEP | 6. the Lord passed by before him —in this remarkable scene, God performed what He had promised to Moses the day before. proclaimed, The Lord . . . merciful and gracious —At an earlier period He had announced Himself to Moses, in the glory of His self-existent and eternal majesty, as "I am" [ ]; now He makes Himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness—attributes that were to be illustriously displayed in the future history and experience of the church. Being about to republish His law—the sin of the Israelites being forgiven and the deed of pardon about to be signed and sealed by renewing the terms of the former covenant—it was the most fitting time to proclaim the extent of the divine mercy which was to be displayed, not in the case of Israel only, but of all who offend.

Exodus 34:6-7

6. the Lord passed by before him—in this remarkable scene, God performed what He had promised to Moses the day before.

proclaimed, The Lord . . . merciful and gracious—At an earlier period He had announced Himself to Moses, in the glory of His self-existent and eternal majesty, as "I am" [Ex 3:14]; now He makes Himself known in the glory of His grace and goodness—attributes that were to be illustriously displayed in the future history and experience of the church. Being about to republish His law—the sin of the Israelites being forgiven and the deed of pardon about to be signed and sealed by renewing the terms of the former covenant—it was the most fitting time to proclaim the extent of the divine mercy which was to be displayed, not in the case of Israel only, but of all who offend.

Isaiah 43:25

25. I, even I—the God against whom your sin is committed, and who alone can and will pardon. (Isa 44:22).

for mine own sake— (Isa 48:9, 11). How abominable a thing sin is, since it is against such a God of grace! "Blotted out" is an image from an account-book, in which, when a debt is paid, the charge is cancelled or blotted out.

not remember . . . sins— (Jer 31:34). When God forgives, He forgets; that is, treats the sinner as if He had forgotten his sins.

Micah 7:18

18. Grateful at such unlooked-for grace being promised to Israel, Micah breaks forth into praises of Jehovah.

passeth by the transgression—not conniving at it, but forgiving it; leaving it unpunished, as a traveller passes by what he chooses not to look into (Pr 19:11). Contrast Am 7:8, and "mark iniquities," Ps 130:3.

the remnant—who shall be permitted to survive the previous judgment: the elect remnant of grace (Mic 4:7; 5:3, 7, 8).

retaineth not . . . anger— (Ps 103:9).

delighteth in mercy—God's forgiving is founded on His nature, which delights in loving-kindness, and is averse from wrath.