November 8 – Exodus 32:7-14

 November 8 – Exodus 32:7-14

⁷ And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. ⁸ They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’” ⁹ And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. ¹⁰ Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”

¹¹ 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? ¹² 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. ¹³ 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.’” ¹⁴ And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.

God’s anger is certainly justified when the people of Israel made and worshipped the golden calf.  He shared with Moses that he would destroy them.  Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites asking that He not destroy His people and the Lord relented.  It seems interesting that our sovereign God would change His mind at Moses’ pleading and request.  Was Moses truly the reason for God relenting or was that God’s plan all along?  How often do we turn from God’s commandments and go in a different direction?  Take time today to ask God to keep you in His will and redirect your path when you are misguided by sin.

Heavenly Father, how merciful You are, not only to the children of Israel, but to us today…to me ever single day!  Help me recognize those times that You are showing me mercy.  Not giving me what I truly deserve.  You are such an amazing God with patience and love poured out on me at every turn.  Thank You for Your constant love and care.  Thank You for helping me overcome my own sin nature that wants to badly to take over and listen to the enemy and do his bidding.  Thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to help me overcome these selfish desires to do what is best for me and not always think about others and Your will for my life.  Thank You for Your undying and unconditional love and mercy that makes it possible for me to come to You a horrible sinner, and be given eternal life with You, my heavenly Father.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen!