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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]Exodus 32:11-14
But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’” And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
When Moses was on top of the mountain receiving the commands of God, the people were down below, building a golden calf to worship. After God’s great work of deliverance and provision, the people turned from him and made their own god out of metal. God told Moses to go down to the people who “turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them.” God threatened to destroy these “stiff-necked people” and make a new nation for Moses. But Moses interceded for the people.
Moses’ prayer of intercession was a plea for mercy (God not giving us what we deserve). Moses made no excuse for the peoples’ sin but rather based his prayer on two things: the testimony to the Egyptians and God’s promises to the patriarchs. Destruction of the Israelites would vindicate Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt. This would give an opportunity for the Egyptians to mock God. Secondly, if God destroyed his people he would be seen as one who does not keep his promises since God had promised that he would take his people to the Promised Land. So, God relented—he embarked on another course of action. God is not inflexible; He responds to individuals’ needs, attitudes, and actions.[1]
Talking Points
- Today confess your sins before God. Ask him to forgive you and show you mercy through Jesus. Thank him for his grace and unconditional love. Thank him for his promise to forgive your sins (1 John 1:9).
- Pray for those in your family that are walking dangerously away from God. Ask God to show them his mercy—to stop their journey from him, to see their sin, and come back home.
And…keep praying for them throughout the day.
[1] Hannah, J. D. (1985). Exodus. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 156). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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Today on The Journey Broadcast:
Amen and thank you.