(The Lord speaking is red text)
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Now, if you will just forgive their sin! But if you won't, then, I beg you, blot me out of your book which you have written!"
Yet now, if You would only forgive their sin.... But if not, please blot me out of the book that You have written.”
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
Yet now, if thou wilt forgive{H5375} their sin{H2403}--; and if not, blot{H4229} me, I pray thee, out of thy book{H5612} which thou hast written{H3789}.
1. **Themes:**
- **Intercession:** Moses pleads with God on behalf of the Israelites, demonstrating his role as a mediator between God and His people.
- **Self-sacrifice:** Moses is willing to be erased from God's book—a metaphor for divine remembrance—if it means saving the nation from destruction.
- **Divine Justice and Mercy:** The verse reflects the tension between God's justice, which would condemn the people for their sin, and His mercy, which can forgive.
- **The Book of Life:** The concept of a divine record of the righteous appears, which is a recurring theme in biblical literature.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Golden Calf Incident:** Exodus 32:32 occurs shortly after the Israelites, led by Aaron, created and worshiped a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the first commandment.
- **Mosaic Intervention:** Upon witnessing the people's apostasy, Moses intercedes with God to mitigate His wrath. This event highlights Moses' unique relationship with God and his commitment to the people he leads.
- **The Covenant:** The Israelites were in a covenantal relationship with God, which included blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Moses' intercession is part of the larger narrative of maintaining this covenant despite the people's unfaithfulness.
- **The Exodus Era:** Historically, this event takes place during the period following the Israelites' escape from Egypt, as they journey through the wilderness toward the Promised Land. It reflects the formative stages of Israel's national identity and religious practices.
In summary, Exodus 32:32 encapsulates the themes of intercession, self-sacrifice, and the balance between divine justice and mercy, set against the backdrop of the Israelites' foundational relationship with God during their wilderness journey. Moses' plea underscores the depth of his leadership and his dedication to preserving the fledgling nation of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)