In the end of the book of Exodus, we find a spiritually restless group of Israelites impatiently waiting for Moses to return from the mountain. They abandon their trust in the Lord, instead creating a golden calf to worship in His place. God is furious with their actions, telling Moses He plans to destroy them. Moses pleads for God to relent, and He does.

This passage of Scripture reveals a part of God’s character that we often like to ignore. But, we also find that He’s not just a God who punishes — He’s a God who forgives.