What is the very first word God uses to describe Himself?

In Exodus 34, after Israel’s failure with the golden calf, God proclaims His own name — and the first word He speaks is merciful.

In this episode, Jeffrey and Christopher explore the Hebrew word rakhum, a word connected to the idea of womb-deep compassion. Together, they discuss what it means that God is not distant from human suffering but deeply moved by it.

How does divine mercy shape the way we approach God in our weakness?

How does it challenge the way we treat others?

And how do we see this mercy fully revealed in Jesus?

This conversation continues the series on the character of God — not just to understand who He is, but to consider who we are becoming as we follow Him.

Key Text: Exodus 34:6

“‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…’” (NKJV)