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Understanding Covenant Language – Exodus 32 (D)

Introduction

One of the most remarkable moments in Exodus 32 occurs when Moses returns to the LORD after the golden calf incident.

Moses understood that Israel had committed a great sin. After confronting the people, destroying the idol, and dealing with the rebellion, Moses returned to God and attempted to make atonement for the people.

In Exodus 32:32, Moses made an extraordinary request:

“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.”

Moses was willing to sacrifice himself on behalf of Israel.

God refused Moses’ offer.

Moses could not become the sacrifice because God already had a plan in place.

In much the same way, Abraham was willing to offer Isaac when God tested him. Yet God stopped Abraham before Isaac was sacrificed. God did not require Isaac’s life because He already knew what He was going to do. Abraham’s willingness pointed forward to what God was preparing to do for us through Jesus.

Likewise, Moses was willing to offer himself for Israel, but God did not accept Moses as the sacrifice. God refused Moses’ offer because Moses was not the sacrifice God intended.

In both cases, God already had a plan in place.

God stopped Abraham.

God refused Moses.

Not because they were unwilling, but because the sacrifice that would bring redemption would never come through Isaac or Moses.

The sacrifice that would bring redemption would come through Jesus.

Scripture reveals that God’s plan for redemption was not an afterthought. God is the Author of our salvation. Long before Moses stood on Mount Sinai, long before Abraham walked up Mount Moriah, God already knew what He was going to do.

The plan of salvation was not created at the cross. It was part of God’s purpose from the beginning.

Yet in making this request, Moses reveals something important.

He speaks of a book belonging to God.

If God is the Author of our salvation, and Moses asks to be blotted out of God’s book, then an important question must be asked:

What book was Moses talking about?

Now, let’s take a closer look at this book that Moses asked to be blotted out of.

Let’s Start With the Word

Focus Scripture

Read:

  • Exodus 32:30–35

Supporting Scriptures

Read and compare:

Atonement

  • Numbers 25:11–13
  • Amos 5:15
  • 2 Samuel 16:12

The Books

  • Psalm 56:8
  • Psalm 139:16
  • Jeremiah 1:5
  • Isaiah 49:1–5
  • Genesis 16:11–12
  • Daniel 12:1–4
  • Philippians 4:3
  • Matthew 7:21–23
  • Revelation 3:5
  • Revelation 20:12–15
  • Revelation 21:27

What Stands Out To You?

After reading Exodus 32:30–35:

  • What stands out to you?
  • What surprised you?
  • What questions do you have?
  • What observations do you make about Moses?
  • What observations do you make about God’s response?
  • What observations do you make about atonement?
  • What observations do you make about the Book?

Record your observations.

Search Word

Atonement

Define This

Using a dictionary, Bible dictionary, concordance, or study tools, define the word:

Atonement

Synonyms

Which words are similar in meaning?

  • Reconciliation
  • Restoration
  • Covering
  • Satisfaction
  • Peace

What additional synonyms did you discover?

Antonyms

Which words are opposite in meaning?

  • Separation
  • Division
  • Estrangement
  • Alienation

What additional antonyms did you discover?

Search the Scriptures

Moses Attempts to Make Atonement

Read
  • Exodus 32:30–35

Questions

  1. What did Moses tell the people about their sin?
  2. What did Moses hope to accomplish when he returned to the LORD?
  3. What does Moses say he will attempt to do?
  4. Why do you think Moses returned to God after addressing the people?
  5. What observations do you make about Moses’ role as an intercessor?

Moses Offers Himself

Read
  • Exodus 32:31–33

Questions

  1. What request did Moses make to God?
  2. What was Moses willing to give up on behalf of the people?
  3. How did God respond?
  4. Why do you think God refused Moses’ offer?
  5. What similarities do you see between Moses’ offer and Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac?
  6. What similarities do you see between Moses’ offer and what Jesus later accomplished?

Search the Scriptures: The Books

Read
  • Exodus 32:32–33
  • Psalm 56:8
  • Psalm 139:16
  • Jeremiah 1:5
  • Isaiah 49:1–5
  • Genesis 16:11–12
  • Daniel 12:1–4
  • Philippians 4:3
  • Matthew 7:21–23
  • Revelation 3:5
  • Revelation 20:12–15
  • Revelation 21:27

Observation Questions

Exodus 32:32–33

  1. What book does Moses mention?
  2. What does God say about His book?
  3. What questions does this passage raise?

Psalm 56:8

  1. What does God record?
  2. What does this reveal about God’s awareness of our lives?

Psalm 139:16

  1. What was written before David’s days came to pass?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God’s foreknowledge?

Jeremiah 1:5

  1. What did God know before Jeremiah was formed in the womb?
  2. What does this teach us about God’s knowledge of individuals?

Isaiah 49:1–5

  1. What similarities do you see between Isaiah and Jeremiah?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God’s calling?

Genesis 16:11–12

  1. What did God reveal about Ishmael before he was born?
  2. What does this teach us about God’s foreknowledge?

Daniel 12:1–4

  1. Who is delivered?
  2. What role does the book play in this passage?
  3. What observations do you make regarding resurrection and judgment?

Philippians 4:3

  1. What book does Paul mention?
  2. What observations do you make?

Matthew 7:21–23

  1. Who is speaking?
  2. What had these individuals done?
  3. How did Jesus respond?
  4. What observations do you make concerning being known by God?
  5. How might this passage relate to the Book of Life?

Revelation 3:5

  1. What promise is given to the overcomer?
  2. What does this passage reveal about the Book of Life?

Revelation 20:12–15

  1. What books are opened?
  2. What other Book is opened?
  3. How are people judged?
  4. What happens to those not found written in the Book of Life?

Revelation 21:27

  1. Who may enter the New Jerusalem?
  2. What role does the Lamb’s Book of Life play in this passage?

Consider This

As you compare these passages, consider the following:

  • What book was Moses referring to?
  • Whose book is it?
  • What is written in it?
  • What else does Scripture reveal about God’s books?
  • Why does Scripture repeatedly mention these books from Moses to Revelation?
  • What do these passages reveal about God’s foreknowledge?
  • What do these passages reveal about salvation?

Record your observations.

Personal Investigation

Based on the Scriptures we have examined throughout this study, answer the following questions.

Support your answers with Scripture whenever possible.

If I want my name written in the Book of Life, what do I need to do?

Based on the Scriptures we have studied, what does God reveal about those whose names are written in the Book?

What does Scripture reveal about those who are not found written in the Book?

What are the consequences of being found written in the Book?

What are the consequences of not being found written in the Book?

Compare:

  • Daniel 12:1–4
  • Matthew 7:21–23
  • Revelation 20:12–15
  • Revelation 21:27

What did you learn about God’s books that you did not understand before beginning this study?

How has this study changed your understanding of Exodus 32:32–33?

Why do you think God repeatedly draws attention to the Book of Life from Moses through Revelation?

ABASilence Ministries

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