Moses’Plea
Ex. 32:11-14; 32
God gave Moses laws for the Israelites to follow at Sinai. As Moses had been at the mountain for a long time, the people began to worry and asked Aaron to make for them gods to lead them on. Aaron acquiesced and made them a golden calf, declaring to the that this is the god who led them out of Egypt (Ex. 32:4). As the Israelites were worshipping the golden calf, the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, how stiff-necked they are. Now let me alone, so that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them; and of you I will make a great nation” (Ex. 32:9-10).
The LORD had led them out of Egypt and instead of being thankful, they had been grumbling throughout the journey; and now, they have turned away from the LORD. As they were about to be destroyed, Moses asked of the LORD, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce wrath; change your mind and do not bring disaster on your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, how you swore to them by your own self, saying to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants like the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever’” (Ex. 32:11-13). Moses also said to the LORD, “But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, blot me out of the book that you have written” (Ex. 32:32).
What a great man! What a great leader! Likewise, Moses is now interceding for his people. Notice how the LORD promised to make Moses a great nation after the rest of them had been destroyed. But Moses refused, and prayed for his people.
Today, many people have become too selfish that they tend to care less about the bigger welfare and attempt to feed their own greed. As Christians, we need to emulate what Moses did – to take up responsibility and see that it is fulfilled, keeping aside our own selfish interests.
Therefore, let us take steps to see that all our responsibilities and duties given to us are fulfilled and move forward. As the LORD listened to Moses’ pleas, He still listens to our pleas and prayers today. He who had brought us to this place will lead us on and bring us to Canaan. Only let us not rebel against Him.
