My return journey through the history of God's chosen people in the book of Exodus has elicited a fair share of questions. I don't understand all the killing on God's part; I don't understand all the rebellion on the people's part. How could they see the very smoke of the presence of God on Mount Sinai, knowing their leader was in the midst of a personal encounter with God, and still turn their waiting into an idol-infested orgy?        

Moses discussed the situation with God, and he insisted that if the Israelite people had passed the point of no return, then he preferred to be wiped out too. He told God he wanted to understand His ways, and to be taught how to lead these people whom God Himself had identified as His own. And God responded with two things: a promise and His presence.           

His promise was that He would "go before them" and "give them rest." Then He directed Moses to a secluded spot, and showed Moses just a glimpse of Himself.           

As God passed by that crevice in the mountain, He described Himself in the following terms: Compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love for thousands, forgiving wickedness, yet not leaving the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34:6, 7).             

And that's where my picture of God has been refreshed. Through all the killing and rebellion described in Exodus, there remains a God who will not tolerate evil and sin, but who also will not quit doing all He can to redeem His people and keep them close to His heart. I can only conclude that when killing was necessary, the people had gone beyond some limits I don't understand, and had no intention of coming back. It seems like the people were doing some pretty wicked stuff, but when they did choose to repent, God was there, waiting and ready to forgive and to remain among them.           

I don't understand it all, but this much I believe: God is compassionate and gracious; He is ready to forgive; He offers clear motivations for staying connected to Him (both positive and negative); He is eager to accept us back when we repent, but He will not tolerate wickedness forever.          

The choice is ours. God's presence is here and His promises are here. I want to be like Moses, seeking diligently to know His ways and to know Him.          

Rich Carlson is campus chaplain at Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska. "God is Faithful" is adapted from the email devotionals he writes regularly for the Union College family. Rich enjoys filling his life with God, his family, and especially his five grandchildren.