This is John, welcome to the Bible Project Podcast, we're in the middle of a series looking

at the character of God.

Specifically looking at a verse in Exodus chapter 34.

This verse is the first time God sits back and describes his character.

And if you've been following along, you know the context of this proclamation that God

makes about his character.

It's a really intense moment.

God and Israel are forming a covenant relationship like a marriage of sorts.

They're committing to each other.

And right after Israel basically signs the marriage contract, they start worshiping

an idol statue, like slapping God in the face.

And in that context God declares of himself these five attributes and the first one is

that God is compassionate.

The Hebrew word is Rahum and it comes in a verb form, a noun form, an adjective form.

But the really fascinating thing about all of them is that they're related to the word

Rechem, which is the Hebrew word for womb.

To be compassionate is to care for someone like a mother who cares for a nurturer's

or baby.

Compassion is an emotional word.

Sometimes the translators use the word deeply stirred when they're translating it to express

this heartfelt emotion.

Throughout the whole Hebrew Bible, Israel continues to rebel against God.

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