Exodus 30-32 Moses Learning More About God?

Moses had been away from the people, receiving instructions from God on Mt. Sinai, for 40 days.  In their impatience, “they rebelled against the goodness of God,” my commentary said.  “It was a great sin because of what they had already experienced.”  They’d witnessed all of God’s miracles, so they were sinning against a flood of light.

 

The amazing thing to me was God’s discussion with Moses about what He was considering doing!  God said to Moses, “Do not stop Me!” as if Moses physically could restrain God from taking out His vengeance on them!  My commentary really seems to treat this whole conversation as God’s way of seeing if Moses would both fight for God’s reputation and care enough about his people to want them to reach the Promised Land.

 

God’s anger was certainly righteous.  The people deserved punishment.  Moses begged God for their lives.  He restated what God had told him about God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to take their descendants into the Promised Land.  I am coming to understand that through this episode, God was showing Moses how God would keep His promises despite our NOT keeping OURS.  That reveals so much about God’s faithfulness despite human sin.

 

Regarding God’s repenting or changing His mind, my commentary said, “Moses used human terms to describe divine actions.  The Hebrew word means to grieve, to be sorry and describes God’s change of approach in dealing with His people.  God’s character doesn’t change, but God does respond to the prayers and confessions of His people.”

 

Father, I’m so thankful to have a God like You Who knows my propensity to sin and rebel against You, yet Who loves me despite myself.  I can’t imagine You giving up Your Son for me, but I’m so thankful that You did.  Please help me not to rebel against Your goodness, but instead to appreciate it all the more.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford