Blotted Out: Exodus 32:28-33

Exodus 32:28‑33  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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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. 4:22Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. (1 Corinthians 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 33:8-118And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; 9Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant. 10They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. 11Bless, Lord, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again. (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. 8:1414Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the Lord our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the Lord. (Jeremiah 8:14)) (Romans 3:2323For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (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. 49:77None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor give to God a ransom for him: (Psalm 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 1:33Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (Hebrews 1:3)), “having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:1212Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. (Hebrews 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. 10:1414For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. (Hebrews 10:14)) and “clean every whit” (John 13:1010Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. (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”.