The Lord proclaims His goodness in Exodus 34:6-7. Note that His goodness summarizes all other qualities listed in the passage. It is not an abstract idea, but that which is seen in His action toward man.
In a more specific sense, the goodness God is most clearly seen in His generosity. “When the biblical writers call God ‘good,’ they are thinking in general of all those moral qualities which prompt His people to call Him ‘perfect,’ and in particular of the generosity which moves them to call Him ‘merciful” and ‘gracious,’ and to speak of His love.” Generosity is the ability to give without ulterior motive in a way which goes above and beyond. Examples of God’s abundant goodness abound.
Remember Joseph as he reflected upon the past sins of his brothers and said, “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good” (Gen. 50:20). That is not to say that God approves of evil or that in some way He transforms evil to good. Rather, God has the ability to bring about good consequences from the evil choices people make. He overcomes evil with good (Rom. 12:21). In some of history’s worst moments, good can be found. Remember the words of Romans 8:28–“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Think of God’s creative work which is described as “very good” (Gen. 1:31). The sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, and every created thing both large and small testifies to His eternal power and godhead (Rom. 1:20) and declares His glory (Ps. 19:1). So too God’s spiritual creation–the church. She is His eternal purpose (Eph. 3:9-11) which He “purposed in Himself ” (Eph. 1:9) as the body of His children (Eph. 1:3-4), “according to the good pleasure of His will (Eph. 1:5). As Paul reflected on this purpose he proclaimed “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out” (Rom. 11:33).
Continued next week…