This Lesson was written and posted late yesterday afternoon, around 5:00 pm in fact. Solely due to my travel schedule. See the “Standing with the Bagwells” page for details. So I am not posting today’s new Segment until later this morning. I do not want anyone to miss it!
Moses was, among other things, an intercessor for Israel. Much as the High Priest Aaron would later be an intercessor for the whole Nation of Israel on its annual Day of Atonement, most fully described in Leviticus 16.
And the apex of Moses’ intercessory ministry was (undoubtedly) in Exodus 32-33, AFTER Israel had so egregiously sinned in that well-known “golden calf” debacle!
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for 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: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 32:7-8
“Have corrupted” (the Hebrew verb “shachath”) is the same word used back when the pre-Flood civilization went so corrupt. And so is the noun “way” (spelled “derek”) common to both apostasies!
“And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:12
Wow!
This blatant idolatry (back to the golden calf event) is perhaps the furthest mankind has drifted from God since the dark days of Noah, days that precipitated the Flood.
Pretty bad!
And just as God determined to destroy the world by flood waters … He would now destroy these Jewish people! Astounding!
“And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will DESTROY them with the earth.” Genesis 6:13, hence the Flood.
God to Moses regarding the sensual “calf worship” … “Now therefore 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.” Exodus 32:10
Intercession needed … or Israel is gone!
God’s Wrath is burning that HOT!
By the way, the sin of Israel (golden calf worship) occurred right in the middle of the Tabernacle Corpus of Exodus. Chapters 25-31 being dedicated to the instructions for building that Edifice. And then chapters 35-40 being involved with the actual building of it, that special Place.
So … the “apostasy” of these idolatrous Jews occurs right in the middle of God trying to build a Sanctuary where He can come down and live with His people! Where they can commune with Him and worship Him!
Wow!
But then watch Moses … with God threatening to destroy Israel!
The man becomes an intercessor par excellence!
But in a special way.
God (angry, but righteously so) and Moses (a picture of Jesus) … “And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a GREAT SIN: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an ATONEMENT for your sin. And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” Exodus 32:30-32
See it?
Moses, willing to die to appease God’s Wrath!
Willing to die to bring atonement, propitiation!
Yes, he is the consummate Old Testament intercessor!
All of which points to JESUS!
The Consummate Intercessor of all eternity!
Jesus, not only willing to die for our sins (a veritable death sentence in each of us) … BUT ACTUALLY DOING SO!
And thereby, God’s Wrath fell upon His Only Begotten Son … there on Calvary two thousand years ago!
Bringing about my salvation, via faith in Jesus’ Blood!
Providing atonement for you and me!
Folks, these are the very principles which make the Book of Leviticus such a fundamentally vibrant Necessity in Scripture.
Bloodshed!
Forgiveness!
The Need for a Mediator!
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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