Chapter 29: Moses Smashes the Tablets
Q1 - What book does Moses refer to in Exodus 32:32–33?
A1 - Up to this point in the scripture, the few times the “book” is mentioned seems to refer to a book of historical records. Genesis 5:1a (ESV) tells us: “This is the book of the generations of Adam.” We know that Moses was keeping such a record from Exodus 17:14 where God told him what to write in the book concerning the Amalekites and to recount it in the hearing of Joshua. The Book of the Covenant referred to in Exodus 24:7 contained all the laws and instructions God gave to Moses that were in addition to the Ten Commandments. These writings evidently became part of the historical record that Moses was already keeping. The whole of Moses’s writings then became the Pentateuch or the first five books of the Bible.
The reference here in Exodus 32:32–33 appears to be a different book, a record of names that God keeps. Moses refers to it in verse 32 (NKJV) as “Your book which You have written.” God, in His reply in verse 33 (NKJV), refers to it as “My book.” Some Bible commentators believe this book to be similar to a civil list or register which the Jews evidently kept of those who were currently alive. When someone died, they were erased from the book (Ezekiel 13:9 refers to the records of the house of Israel). Other commentators feel it’s in reference to the eternal Lamb’s Book of Life mentioned in the New Testament, although it’s unknown how much Moses knew of God’s plan of eternal salvation. So, while this question is an interesting one to contemplate, we don’t really know the answer.
Q2 - After all they had witnessed and experienced, why was it so hard for the Israelites to give up pagan worship? How hard has it been for you to give up former practices, beliefs, and behaviors?
A2 - It seems to be human nature to return to what is familiar. People who are abused often return again and again to their abuser. The Israelites, even though the knowledge of God had been passed down to them from their ancestors, had, nevertheless, been born into paganism while residing in Egypt. When things didn’t go as they thought they should or they became tempted, the Israelites fell back into various aspects of pagan worship. Then, after they finally entered the Promised Land, they allowed themselves to be influenced by the pagan worship they found there.
On a personal basis, it will be interesting to hear what the members of your group have to share on the topic.
Q3 - Romans 8 is a good chapter to read to gain a better understanding of how both the Holy Spirit (see v. 23, 26–27) and Jesus (see v. 31–34) intercede on the behalf of believers. Nothing can separate us from the love of God and of Christ (see v. 35–39). How does this assurance affect your life and worship?
A3 - What would have happened if Moses had not interceded for the Israelites after the incident with the golden calf? God was so angry that He wanted to destroy them and make Moses into a great nation instead (see Exodus 32:10). The parallel account in Deuteronomy 9:13–21 tells us Moses ascended back up the mountain to plead for their lives and fell prostrate before the Lord for another forty days and forty nights. During that time, he fasted, eating no bread or drinking any water. Although Moses had developed a close relationship with God, still he was fearful. He said in Deuteronomy 9:19a (NIV): “I feared the anger and wrath of the Lord, for he was angry enough with you to destroy you.” Then he added in verse 20 (NIV): “And the Lord was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I prayed for Aaron too.”
Fortunately for the Israelites, God listened to Moses (Deuteronomy 9:19b). He didn’t destroy them, but He did send a plague for what they had done concerning the calf Aaron had made (Exodus 32:35). Whether some of the people died with the plague or simply fell ill is not known, but regardless, it wasn’t pleasant.
Moses would go on to intercede on other occasions for the Israelites, begging God not to destroy them. But as much as Moses tried, he was not perfect. Although he was able to keep God from wiping them out, he couldn’t save them from eternal death. That would take Jesus, who lived a life without sin and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world, once and for all time.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 8 explains that Christians have not one, but two, intermediaries—the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. You will want to read all of this deeply meaningful chapter, but here are a few of the highlights (all are from the NIV):
8:16–17: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
8:26–27: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”
8:33–34: “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
8:37–39: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Thanks be to God that Christians today have such powerful and perfect intermediaries! We, like the Israelites, stumble often along the pathway of life. God, with His plan of salvation, brought Jesus Christ to earth to fulfill His role as the Messiah, and Jesus, after His ascension, sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter or Advocate (John 14:16–17; 16:7). Now we have both to intercede for us before the Father. What immeasurable love God has bestowed upon us!