A Prayer of Moses

Alas this people have sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if thou wilt, forgive their sin – and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Exodus 32:31b-32

While Moses was up on the mountain, the Israelites became demanding and restless. They made gods for themselves out of gold, forgetting how God had delivered them from Egypt.

Moses was frustrated with the Israelites and yet he dearly loved them. He pleads with God to forgive them. Like a parent who would rather take the punishment a child deserved, so Moses asks God to forgive them of their sin and to let their punishment fall on him. If God cannot forgive them, he asks God to blot his name out of the Book of Life. His request shows how much he loves the Israelites.

They were Moses’ people too and he wanted to shield them from the punishment they rightly deserved. Moses’s prayer of intercession was heard by God. Their punishment would not be death, but they would know pain and suffering for their act of disobedience.

Prayer

Dear Lord, we thank You for all those persons who have lifted up prayers for us … who have interceded for us. Keeep us mindful of the importance of intercessory prayer as we remember those who can benefit by our lifting them up in prayer. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.