Good Morning.
Then Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” (Exodus 32:31-32)
Once again we get a glimpse into the man Moses and his genuine concern for his countrymen, so much so, that he is willing to be “blotted out” of God’s book for their sake. This concern for their welfare and a desire to protect them was evident years before, in Egypt, when he went and looked at his brethren’s burdens and killing an Egyptian who was mistreating a Hebrew. In short, Moses continued to have the heart of shepherd even when the sheep were acting like a bunch of goats and weren’t appreciative of his kind consideration.
This devotion to a people who consistently resisted proper guidance and deserved to suffer the consequences of their actions obviously points us to the Good Shepherd and our Heavenly High Priest. Even as He was being led to a brutal death He found it within Himself to pray, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” Personally, I believe that the Father did just that — not because the people were meritorious but because of Yeshua. Likewise, God didn’t abandon the children of Israel because Moses was determined to stand in the gap for them.
So we must consider just how important it is for others when we are determined to stand in the gap for them. If we are truly seeking to please our Father with our lives and remain faithful to serve Him, will He not be inclined to hear and honor our prayers and petitions on behalf of others? Throughout the Scripture we see how God spared others for the sake of His servants who interceded for them. Should we not believe for our loved ones to be spared, even though they have behaved like goats, if we are committed to righteousness?
In the end, He is God and He will do as He pleases in accordance with Truth and Justice. Nevertheless, we know that His judgment is tempered with His mercy and that sometimes He is looking to see if someone is willing to stand in the gap for those who, though undeserving, are in need of that mercy. Whether for loved one, a stranger or a nation gone astray, let us be the ones who stand before the Almighty and “Have mercy. Forgive us.” You never know — that might be the difference between life and death.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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