Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Showing love and kindness to thousands of people, forgiving wrongdoing, rebellion, and sin, but never letting the guilty go unpunished; holding children and their children responsible for their fathers' sins, even to the third and fourth generation.
God is both incredibly merciful and perfectly just - He forgives sin but also ensures that consequences for wrongdoing are real and lasting.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Exodus, God is speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai after the Israelites had sinned by worshiping a golden calf, leading to a renewal of the covenant. God is revealing His divine attributes, including His mercy and justice, as part of proclaiming His name to Moses. This verse emphasizes the balance in God's character, showing how His forgiveness can extend widely while also addressing the consequences of unrepentant sin.
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