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The God Contradiction // Exodus // Jimmy Needham
August 2, 2026
After the golden calf, Moses asks God for one thing: let me see Your glory. God says no — but He gives something better. He tells Moses exactly who He is: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love. It's God's own definition of Himself, and it's still how He wants to be known today. But hidden inside that definition is a contradiction. God forgives sin. God will not clear the guilty. Both are true — and both can't be, unless something makes a way. Exodus asks the question. The cross answers it.
01 Key Takeaways
God defines Himself as merciful first. When God finally tells Moses who He is, mercy leads the list — not anger or judgment.
Exodus 34:6His compassion is like a mother's love. The word for mercy comes from the word for womb. God isn't just sympathetic — He's bound to us.
Exodus 34:6God is patient, not passive. Slow to anger means God doesn't rush to punish, even when we deserve it. His steadfast love — hesed — is loyal, "not going anywhere" love.
Exodus 34:6Justice and forgiveness meet at the cross. God forgives sin, and will not clear the guilty — both are true. Jesus is how. He was punished so we could be forgiven.
Romans 3:25-2602 Reflection Questions
- Before this message, what three words would you have used for God? How do they compare with Exodus 34:6?
- Which attribute—compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, or abounding in love—most encourages you this season?
- What do you sometimes do to try to earn God's blessing or pay Him back for your sin?
- How does the cross free you both from minimizing your sin and from being crushed by guilt?
- What would it look like to actually rest in Jesus' finished work and enjoy Him this week?
03 Community Group Prep
Before your group meets, take a few minutes with these:
- What's one way this message either challenged or encouraged your view of God?
- Reread Exodus 34:6-7 and Romans 3:21-26. What stands out to you now?
- What's something you've been carrying alone that your group could carry with you?
04 Table Talk
Don't let the conversation stop at the door.
- Why can't doing more good things make up for our sin? What did Jesus do for us at the cross?
- Why is it good that God is both forgiving and just? What would be missing if He were only one?
- Read this line from the Jesus Storybook Bible: "Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love." What does that mean to you?
- Memory verse this week — read it, say it, learn it together:
"A God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love." — Exodus 34:6
05 Prep for Sunday
This fall, We're starting a new series called Table Talks: honest conversations about marriage, sex, community, money, and what it looks like to enjoy Jesus in the middle of life.
Until We're satisfied in Jesus, we'll keep looking for security in the wrong places, in relationships, in bank accounts, in belonging. Scripture speaks directly into all of it, and we want to sit down and talk about it together, as a church family.
A note for parents
Our Sunday message on August 16 is covering the conversation around sex. We'd encourage parents to use discernment for any kids under the age of 10. This sermon will create great discipleship discussion for your older children.
Also starting August 9
We're moving to three services — 8, 9:45, and 11:30. Pick one and we'll see you there.