Great blessing came to the sons of Levi for their faithfulness that day. They were chosen to serve the Lord among His people. The Scripture says, “It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful,” (1 Cor. 4:2), and if we are going to serve the Lord we must be willing to be faithful. We must not draw back, either on account of someone near and dear to us or of someone far away. We must not hide or cover sin in ourselves, our family, our friends, or anyone else. Of course we should never discuss it unless it is absolutely necessary, and even then with sorrow; but sin must be dealt with according to the Word of God. God cannot, and will not, use us in His service unless we are willing to act faithfully for His glory no matter what others may say or think. I don’t suppose the sons of Levi were very popular in the camp, but the Lord honored them abundantly and this is what really matters, is it not? (Deuteronomy 33:8-11).
Only One Atonement
Moses loved the people greatly. He had interceded for them on the top of the mountain according to the mind of God, pleading the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and God had heard him. Now something of self and of his own importance seemed to come into his heart here, for he said. “I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin” (ch. 32:30). He seemed to think of what he could do, but the Lord had to show Moses that anything he could do would not be accepted to make an atonement. Blotting out Moses’s name from God’s book would never answer for the sins of the people. There was One and only One who could meet the judgment for that guilty nation. Apart from that great work accomplished at Calvary by the Lord Jesus Christ, every sinner’s name must be blotted out of God’s book, and this would mean condemnation to one and all, “for all have sinned” (Jer. 8:14) (Romans 3:23). No ordinary man, no matter how great he might be, could make atonement for himself or for anyone else. The Lord Jesus Christ alone — the sinless, spotless Victim — could accomplish so great a work, and praise His name He has done it!
When Moses spoke of going up he said, “peradventure,” as though he feared that his well-meaning attempt might fail — as it surely did. And so neither your parents, your wife, your husband, or anyone else can save you. There is no “peradventure” or “perhaps” about it, for God’s Word is definite. It says, “None can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him” (Psa. 49:7).
Certain Acceptance
But we have good news for you. Moses was only a type, and an imperfect one at that, of the One who has already “gone up,” and there is no “peradventure” as to whether His Person and work is acceptable to a holy God. He is already seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3), “having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12). Moses was refused, but the blessed Son of God has met all the claims of God against sin once and for all, and God has declared His satisfaction in Him. The one who believes in Him is “perfected forever,” (Heb. 10:14) and “clean every whit” (John 13:10). God is satisfied and so are we! Have you put your full confiding trust in Christ’s Person and work? There is no other way of salvation but through Him. What a glorious Saviour He is!
Further Meditation
1. Why did Moses offer to be blotted from God’s book?
2. Atonement is referred to in this chapter. What does it mean?
3. You might find that The Atoning Death of the Son of God by C. Stanley enriches your heart’s understanding of this essential subject of “atonement”.