For use with Common, Lutheran and Roman Catholic Lectionaries
In order to trace the progression of thought through these texts, perhaps we should start outside of them with the last part of Israel's great cultic confession of Yahweh's self-proclamation, that Yahweh is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, generous with steadfast love and faithfulness for the thousands of those who are faithful and obedient, that Yahweh forgives every kind of sin that people commit, but that Yahweh does not remove the damage that the guilty cause to their own lives, damage that causes suffering even to their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren (Exodus 34:6-7;