February 11

Click here for today's text.

Exodus 32:1-33:23

(1)Exodus 32:9-14

" 9 "I have seen these people," the LORD said to Moses, "and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation."

11 But Moses sought the favor of the LORD his God. "O LORD," he said, "why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, 'It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth'? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: 'I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.' " 14 Then the LORD relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened."

Abraham had sought mercy for the Cities of the Plain (where his nephew Lot resided) beseeching God, "Suppose there are ten (righteous) men found there?" Abraham was cautious not to anger the LORD with his pleading.

Moses, too, risked his own life but he's not concerned about the people. He's concerned about God's reputation and His promise; to remember his promises (which Moses kept in his heart).

Wasn't it Freud who claimed that religious sacrificial "systems" were based upon a false anthropomorphic view of deities that could be appeased by offerings?

Here, Moses doesn't seek to appease Yahweh but intercedes on Yahweh's behalf. I think the basis of Athena's appeal to Zeus to be merciful toward Odysseus was the quality of his sacrifices. Perhaps Athena admired the metis, cunning, of Odysseus. Nevertheless her appeal to Zeus are his good sacrifices.

Matthew 26:69-27:14

Psalm 33:1-11

Proverbs 8:33-36

Years Read
2009