“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”
This verse occurs in the context of the incident of the golden calf. Moses had gone up to Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments and other instructions from God. In his absence, the people of Israel became impatient and asked Aaron to make them a god to worship. Aaron complied and fashioned a golden calf, and the people began to worship it, breaking the commandment against idolatry.
Upon seeing this, God became angry and threatened to destroy the people of Israel and start anew with Moses. Moses, as the mediator between God and the people, interceded on behalf of the Israelites. This leads us to Exodus 32:32, where Moses is pleading with God for forgiveness for the people’s sin.
Moses’ selflessness:In this verse, we witness Moses’ profound love and concern for his people. He was willing to give up his own salvation for the sake of the Israelites. He pleads with God to forgive their sin and offers to be blotted out of God’s book instead. This shows the depth of Moses’ devotion and his willingness to sacrifice himself for others, which mirrors Christ’s sacrificial nature.
The Book of Life:Moses mentions God’s book, often interpreted as the “Book of Life.” This book symbolizes God’s record of the righteous and those granted eternal life. Being “blotted out” from the Book of Life indicates being cut off from God’s favour and facing judgment. Moses’ request shows how desperately he desires forgiveness for the people and averts God’s wrath.
Intercessory prayer:Moses’ action of interceding on behalf of the Israelites serves as a powerful example of a mediator standing between sinful people and a holy God. Intercessory prayer is a significant theme throughout the Bible, where individuals like Abraham, Daniel, and Jesus intercede for others before God, seeking mercy and forgiveness.
God’s response:Although the specific outcome of Moses’ plea is not stated in this verse, we know from the subsequent verses (Exodus 32:33-35) that God responds to Moses’ intercession by sparing the people from immediate destruction. However, there are still consequences for their sin, as some were punished and a plague was sent upon them.
In conclusion, Exodus 32:32 is a profound expression of Moses’ love for the people of Israel and his willingness to intercede on their behalf before God. It demonstrates the power of intercessory prayer and the compassion of a leader who puts the needs of his people above his own. Moreover, it reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s forgiveness and recognising the seriousness of sin while trusting in His mercy and grace.
