An obstinate people.

Exodus 32:7-14, Then the Lord spoke to Moses, “Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. “They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it, and have sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” And the Lord said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. “Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them, and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation.” Then Moses entreated the Lord his God, and said, “O Lord, why doth Thine anger burn against Thy people whom Thou hast brought out from the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? Why should the Egyptians speak, saying, ‘With evil intent He brought them out to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth’? Turn from Thy burning anger and change Thy mind about doing harm to Thy people. “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, Thy servants to whom Thou didst swear by Thyself, and didst say to them, ‘I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heavens, and all this land of which I have spoken I will give to your descendants, and they shall inherit it forever.’” So the Lord changed His mind about the harm which He said He would do to His people.

Moses has been gone forty days, and the people and their leaders, quickly forget all that the Lord has done in miraculously leading them out of slavery. Moses is quick to intercede for the people, one man standing between them and disaster, and the Lord is merciful. On another day, centuries later, people proclaim the arrival of Jesus with shouts of Hosanna, praising Him as an anointed king. A few days later they forget all the amazing miracles He has done amongst them crying out “Crucify Him.” Yet even in the agony of the cross, bearing God’s wrath for the sins of the world, He intercedes for us all, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” We might like to think that we would have behaved differently, but scripture is clear: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Give thanks that He is even now interceding before the Father for each of us.

We thank You for Your intercession for us; for Your Holy Spirit who guides us into truth and empowers us to do what You call us to do.