Ex. 32:7-10; Num. 14:11-13, Moses the Intercessor (1)

The two passages for reading are among the lowest of several “low points” for Israel in the wilderness.  In Exodus is the story of the gold calf.  In Numbers is the account of Israel’s refusal to take the land when they were camped at Kadesh Barnea.  In both passages we see God ready to destroy Israel and start all over again with Moses instead of Abraham as the beginning of the nation. 

As we have noted in our study of “Moses, the Servant of the LORD,” there are several story lines.  One of those has to do with Moses becoming the obedient servant of God.  But there was another issue in Moses’ life, and it had to do with his becoming a servant to the people of Israel.  What we mean is that Moses had to become not just a leader but a shepherd.  In the Bible it is common to refer to leaders of any sort as “shepherds.”  The Pharisees and Scribes were called “shepherds” by Jesus (Jn. 10).  David the king was the “shepherd” of Israel.  Elders in the Body of Christ are “shepherds” (pastors).  What this means is that leaders are not just responsible to tell people what to do, or even what God wants them to do.  Leaders must have a genuine care for their “flock.” 

In my Bible, next to Ex. 32:7, I have written the words, “Shepherd Moses #1.”  This is where God begins to develop in Moses a great sense of responsibility for the people whom, at the burning bush, Moses wanted nothing to do.  I see it in the fascinating (dare I say “humorous”) exchange between God and Moses.  The LORD told Moses, “your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves” (32:7).  Moses responded, “LORD, why does Your wrath burn hot against Your people whom You have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand” (32:11)?

Before we see Moses’ plea to the LORD, we need to briefly consider the end of the story where we are told, “the LORD relented from the harm which He said He would do to His people.”  How are we to understand that God changed His mind?

·       God is immutable.  He does not change.  Some have explained that this does not mean God is “immobile.”  God regularly acts and reacts to creation.  As someone once put it: God is not like a stone (no response) by tike mercury (He changes with the temperature but always has the same character and purpose).

·       “Relent” is an anthropomorphism, speaking of God in human terms so humans can understand.

·       In reality, the change is not in God but in man (Moses in this case) and man’s relationship with God.  As we noted, Moses had resisted God in the bush.  Now, God, who would never go back on his promises, brings Moses to that place of a commitment to the people He is called to serve.  A good shepherd is the LORD’s servant as well as servant to the flock.