John Davies
This opening chapter of the book The Mercy of God in the Old Testament notes the long neglect of, and more recent interest in, this important theme of Israel’s Scriptures. A key passage, with iterations and echoes through the Old Testament and beyond, which provides a recurring reference point through this study, is Exodus 34:6–7 containing Yhwh’s self-declaration of his merciful character (the “Compassion Creed”), and hence his commitment to continue in a relationship with his people following their apostasy. While a close analysis of the terms used for God’s mercy, grace, patience, forgiving disposition, and related concepts is deferred to later chapters, this chapter deals with the setting and background of this canonically primary declaration in the context of the complex Sinai narrative, particularly seeing it as expounding God’s “ways” (Exod 33:13) and “glory” (Exod 33:18).