December 2011

Exodus 32:7-14 – And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Exodus 32:30-32 – And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

^{For background, read Exodus 32}

As the Israelites would be justified in being punished (and even consumed) for making the golden calf, Moses pleaded on their behalf before God. He cared for their souls and the testimony of God before the Egyptians concerning them. He went as far as to offer his own life for theirs (Exodus 32:30-32).

Many times we don’t want nothing to do with sinful people. We’d rather see their punishment and destruction – one less sinful person on the earth to bring havoc to it. However, Moses can teach us a thing or two about having a heart of intercession for others.

May we develop such a heart for our brothers and sisters that may be rightly facing God’s judgment, but are in need of mercy and grace.

Who will stand up on their behalf? May each of us stand by kneeling before the Lord of glory for their souls.

^{Photo courtesy of CreationSwap/DanielRomero}