“And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.”
Context:This passage occurs after the first tablets containing the Ten Commandments were broken by Moses due to the Israelites’ worship of the golden calf. In response to Moses’ plea for God not to abandon His people, God instructs Moses to chisel two new stone tablets, and God Himself writes the Ten Commandments on them. When God proclaims His name and attributes to Moses, the encounter is awe-inspiring, highlighting God’s character of mercy and justice.
God’s Proclamation:In verse 6, the Lord reveals His character to Moses, emphasising His merciful, gracious, patient, and truthful nature. God is compassionate and forgiving, but also just and will hold the guilty accountable.
Moses’ Response:Verse 8 shows Moses’ immediate reaction upon hearing God’s proclamation. He bows down in worship, recognizing the greatness and holiness of God. Moses’ humility before God sets an example for us in approaching the Almighty.
Moses’ Prayer:In verse 9, we see Moses’ heart and concern for the people of Israel. Despite their rebelliousness and stiff-necked behaviour (meaning stubborn and resistant), Moses pleads for God’s presence to continue with them and asks for forgiveness and acceptance of the people as God’s inheritance.
Application:
- Humility in Worship: Like Moses, we should approach God with humility in worship, recognising His greatness and acknowledging our dependence on Him.
- God’s Mercy and Justice: God’s nature is both merciful and just. He forgives sin but also holds the guilty accountable. As followers of God, we should seek His forgiveness and extend mercy to others while upholding justice.
- Interceding for Others: Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites, showing us the importance of praying for others, even those who may be difficult or rebellious.
- God’s Presence: Moses understood the significance of God’s presence among His people. As Christians, we have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, reminding us of God’s presence with us.
