012. Prayer Of Moses To Avert The Divine Anger.

Prayer Of Moses To Avert The Divine Anger. The Prayer as recorded.—Exodus 32:11-13. The Answer.—Exodus 32:14.

Moses interceded for his people with an agony of mind; he would not descend from the mount till God had promised mercy, although the voice of that God had pronounced his people wicked and rebellious. In this prayer there is “the outgushing of a soul that lay near to the throne,” the earnestness of one who feels the greatness and importance of his desire. With an idea of the possible desertion of the Almighty at this trying time, Moses refers to the promises made to the fathers, especially those which regarded the multitude of their race, and remembers that the Egyptians and the neighboring nations regarded the recent conflict as one testing the power of the God whom Israel trusted. He prays to “The Lord, the Lord God merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin.”

Moses prayed with a faith that knew no doubt; his prayer prevailed, if not to prevent God’s displeasure at sin, at least to stay his hand in the punishment. The language in this answer is addressed to the understanding of men: “The Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” Let us pause, fellow Christian, over a prayer that is represented as changing the purpose of Omnipotence; let us look into the heart of him who addresses the Almighty in behalf of his people; let us study and make our own a spirit that could thus move heaven. This is attainable; man, puny man, may have power with God, and prevail, when clinging to the mercy-seat. Far above the immediate desire of Moses was a regard for the honor of God’s name; he was willing to become as it were nothing, so that the Lord would be honored, and Israel saved: there was a greatness of soul that only true faith could give—a faith which dictated prayers:

“That could rend the clouds, And rising through the dark of space, Reach to God’s central throne”— a faith which gives to the soul of the believer a feeling of “oneness with God and heaven.”