If Moses Had Not Interceded for Stiff-Necked Israel (Part C)

Exodus 32:30-33:5

Today’s passage starts with Moses going again to the Lord on Israel’s behalf. He acknowledged their idolatry and asked the Lord for their forgiveness. He was even willing to sacrifice himself for the sins of the people by asking God to “blot me out of thy book which thou hast written” (32:30-32). However, the Lord’s message to Moses was in the form of a promise that He, the Lord, would blot out of His book whoever sinned against Him (32:33). Moses was God’s chosen instrument, commissioned to bring Israel out of bondage from Egypt. As their leader, he showed the love and compassion he had for this people. Even though they were disobedient and quick to forget all God had for them, Moses was willing to intercede for them.

God was merciful to Israel as He is to us. He commanded Moses to lead them on to the land of promise – Canaan – flowing with milk and honey. God told Moses that His angel would go before him, and He would punish Israel for their sins at His appointed time (32:34). The Lord brought a plague on Israel for making the golden calf that Aaron had made (32:35). 

Then the Lord told Moses to take the people and depart. He announced that He would not go up in their midst because they were a stiff-necked people, and He might destroy them on the way. This people mourned when they heard this sad news, and no one put on his ornaments. It is when we are convicted that we change. The Lord let the children of Israel know that because of their stiff-necked attitude, He could come up in their midst in one moment and consume them. (33:1-5). Give all-powerful God praise.