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From Eternity Past
no other gods before Me.” The glory of God still hovered above Sinai
in the sight of the congregation; but “they made a calf in Horeb, and
worshiped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the
similitude of an ox.”
Psalm 106:19, 20
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Moses in the mount was warned of the apostasy in the camp. “Go,
get thee down,” were the words of God; “thy people, which thou
broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: they
have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them.”
God’s covenant with His people had been disannulled, and He
declared to Moses, “Let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against
them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great
nation.” The people of Israel, especially the “mixed multitude,” would
be constantly disposed to rebel against God, murmur against their
leader, and grieve him by their unbelief and stubbornness. Their sins
had already forfeited the favor of God.
If God had purposed to destroy Israel, who could plead for them?
But Moses discerned ground for hope where there appeared only dis-
couragement and wrath. The words of God, “Let Me alone,” he un-
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derstood not to forbid but to encourage intercession; if entreated, God
would spare His people.
God had signified that He disowned His people. He had spoken of
them to Moses as “thy people, which thou broughtest out of Egypt.”
But Moses disclaimed the leadership of Israel. They were not his, but
God’s—“Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth ... with great
power, and with a mighty hand. Wherefore,” Moses urged, “should
the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did He bring them out, to
slay them in the mountains?”
During the few months since Israel left Egypt, the report of their
wonderful deliverance had spread to all surrounding nations. Terrible
foreboding rested upon the heathen. All were watching to see what the
God of Israel would do for His people. Should they now be destroyed,
their enemies would triumph. The Egyptians would claim that their
accusations were true—instead of leading His people into the wilder-
ness to sacrifice, He had caused them to be sacrificed. The destruction
of the people whom He had honored would bring reproach upon His
name. How great the responsibility resting upon those whom God has
highly honored, to make His name a praise in the earth!