Exodus 33:19
And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
EXODUS 33:19
Here God answers Moses’ bold request with a pivot from visibility to the declaration of his incommunicable and gracious nature: “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” The emphasis shifts to God’s character rather than a spectacle. “All my goodness” conveys the moral and favorable attributes of God—benevolence, faithfulness, patience, mercy. “Proclaim the name” signals revelation of God’s personal name, Yahweh, which carries his self-identification and covenant faithfulness. The phrases “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy” reveal sovereignty in salvation and judgment—God’s grace and mercy are not earned but dispensed according to divine wisdom.
Cultural context highlights that divine self-revelation often comes in mercy, even as it meets human weakness with limits (as seen in the coming encounter with Moses’ restricted view).
This verse anchors the doctrine of God’s gracious selective mercy and steadfast mercy. It emphasizes God’s freedom to extend grace as he pleases, while also inviting Israel to observe his goodness. It foreshadows the Exodus and Sinai narratives where God’s character is repeatedly shown to be merciful and faithful, even when Israel is unfaithful. The proclamation of God’s name ties moral character to identity—Yahweh is mercy, justice, faithfulness. The verse also challenges any understanding of God as merely transactional; his mercy is given in accordance with his own will and wisdom, not human bargaining.
This is a reminder that God’s mercy does not depend on our perfection but on his gracious will. It invites trust in God’s goodness, especially when life feels unfair or confusing. In practical terms, accept that God’s mercy may appear to “work” differently than we expect; his timing and methods are sovereign. We can seek to align our lives with his character—practicing mercy, extending grace to others, and confessing our own need for mercy daily. The equal invitation is to respond to his revelation by living in light of his name—let your words and actions reflect the character of Yahweh: compassionate, steadfast, and just.
Cross-References: Exodus 34:6-7; Psalm 145:8-9; Romans 9:15-18; 2 Samuel 22:29; James 2:13