The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:11-15

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

The intercession of Moses.

This intercession should be studied and laid to heart by all Christians, especially by Christian ministers, whose duty it is to "watch for the souls" of others, as "they that must give account." It was—

I. EARNEST AND IMPASSIONED. No feeble voice, no lukewarm, timid utterance, was heard in the words whereby the leader sought to save his people. Prayer, expostulation, almost reproach, sound in them. God is besought, urged, importuned, to grant the boon begged of him. The tone of Jacob's answer rings in them,—"I will not let thee go, except thou bless me" (Genesis 32:26).

II. UNSELFISH, OR RATHER SELF-RENOUNCING. The promise, "I will make of thee a great nation," has evidently taken no hold of the unselfish nature of the prophet. He declines to give it a thought. God must keep his promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—not make a new promise, as if everything was now to begin afresh. The offer, which might have tempted any man, is simply set aside, as if it had not been made, or at any rate could not have been seriously meant; and the whole energy of the speaker concentrated on inducing God to spare his people.

III. WELL-REASONED. Three arguments are used, and each of them has real weight.

IV. EFFECTUAL. "The Lord repented of the evil, which he thought to do unto his people" (Exodus 32:14). The intercession of Moses prevailed—the announced purpose was given up. God spared his People, though his anger against them continued; and they were punished in a different way (Exodus 32:33-35).

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