Additional Facets Of Jehovah's Goodness

Jehovah's goodness involves more then generosity. God told Moses "I myself shall cause all my goodness to pass before your face, and I will declare the name of Jehovah before you. Later the account says Jehovah went passing by before his face and declaring ' Jehovah, Jehovah, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and truth.' " (Exodus 33:19; 34:6) So Jehovah's goodness embraces a number of fine qualities. Let us consider just two of these.

"Gracious." This quality tells us much about Jehovah's manner of dealing with his creatures. Instead of being brusque, cold or tyrannical, as is often true of the powerful, Jehovah is gentle and kind. For example, Jehovah said to Abram: "Raise your eyes, please, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward." (Genesis 13:14) Many translations omit the word "please." But Bible scholars note that the wording in the original Hebrew includes a word particle that changes the statement from a command to a polite request. There are other, similar instances. (Genesis 31:12; Ezekiel 8:5) Imagine, the Sovereign of the universe says "please" to mere humans! In a world of where harshness, pushiness and rudeness are so common, is it not refreshing to contemplate the graciousness of our God, Jehovah?
"Abundant in . . .truth." Dishonesty has become the way of the world today. But the Bible reminds us: "God is not a man that he should tell lies." (Numbers 23:19) In fact, Titus 1:2 says that "God . . . cannot lie." He is far too good for that. Thus, Jehovah's promises are completely reliable; his words, always sure of fulfillment. Jehovah is even called "the God of truth." (Psalm 31:5) Not only does he refrain from telling falsehoods but he dispenses an abundance of truth. He is not closed, guarded or secretive; rather, he generously enlightens his faithful servants from his boundless store of wisdom. He even teaches them how to lie by the truths he dispenses so that they may "go walking in the truth." (3 John 3) In general, how should Jehovah's goodness affect us individually?

Next time: "Become Radiant Over The Goodness Of Jehovah"

Draw Close To Jehovah, 2002