I would lean towards saying that God was exhibiting goodness, but was not necessarily making it manifest. The scripture comes to mind that says, "what if God...has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, in order to make known (ie. manifest) the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy,..." - Rom.9:22,23. It seems that the manifestation of the riches of his glory is dependent upon a thing involving its opposite prior to it, and so it cannot be known or understood properly in isolation.

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Charles Plauger
Member/Grace Reformed Church
Oakland, MD