The day after the terrible scene of the golden calf, the action of the Levites with their swords, and the great tragedy of the people, Moses knows that even though the people have repented something else is needed.
On the next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
So Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold.
But now, if you will only forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of the book that you have written” (Exodus 32.31-32).
Moses attempts to offer himself as the atoning sacrifice for the people’s sin.
Whispering Danny, in today’s YouTube video, pointed out the big word in this passage is “perhaps.”
Will his atoning sacrifice be enough, or will something else need to take place?
God gave his answer to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book” (Exodus 32.33).
Ezekiel 18 contains an extended description of God’s view on personal responsibility for sin. Verse 4 summarizes this, emphasizing that each individual is responsible for their sin.
“Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins who shall die” (Ezekiel 18.4).
Isaiah presents two pathways in our relationship with God. One is the pathway of self-reliance, where we bear the results of our sins.
The other is trust in God’s grace, as evidenced by the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, who ultimately became Jesus, the One who died on the cross for us.
Verse 6 is a sample of what Isaiah 53 says about God’s gracious activity on our behalf.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53.6)
The Day of the Lord
A holy God cannot walk beside an unholy people. Either His holiness will transform them into people after His own character, or His holiness will destroy them.
Some scholars believe the next verse and one in chapter 33 prefigures the idea of the Day of the Lord.
“But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; see, my angel shall go in front of you. Nevertheless, when the day for punishment comes, I will punish them for their sin” (Exodus 32.35).
“Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey, but I will not go up among you, or I would consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people” (Exodus 33.3).
Many in Israel welcomed that day, but the prophets frequently told them that the Day of the Lord would be dangerous and difficult.
Wail, for the day of the Lord is near;
it will come like destruction from the Almighty! (Isaiah 13:6)
This is because God would come among the people in judgment for their sins.
Someone has aptly said that religion is a good place to hide from God.
I sometimes wonder if God allows us to go through our religious rituals without His presence. This could be for the same reason that He was not willing to come alongside the people of Israel in their travels.
If He comes, He either makes us holy or He has to judge us for our unholiness.
Think About It
As we consider this passage, we should reflect on personal accountability. Our actions have consequences and our choices impact us and those around us.
The proper response is repentance, trusting in God’s grace, and making amends where appropriate.
We do well to remember that God provided us His Son, who died for us on the cross. Instead of trusting ourselves, let’s rely on God’s mercy. Embrace the reality that our sins have been carried by a compassionate Savior.
The idea of God’s presence underscores the importance of an authentic connection with God.
Religious rituals, when separated from true spiritual communion, are nothing but forms devoid of God’s transforming power.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross, Whispering Danny, and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 