Though Exodus 32 is often known as the ‘golden calf’ chapter it is actually a story about intercession. The fact that the Israelites set up a golden calf should not be wondered at. They had lived in pagan Egypt and had adopted its customs. They were regressing back to what they knew (pagan deities were often represented by calves). In this situation, however, it served as the ultimate demonstration of their unbelief and rebelliousness. In response, God says to Moses: “Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” The next part is remarkable, and it is put forward here as an example of the intercessory calling of God’s people: Moses did not leave God alone. He steps in to change God’s mind and with a very compelling argument too (vss. 11-13). In response, the text simply says: “Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.” To appreciate what God wants us to learn here we must put away speculation about whether God really changed his mind or not. The important thing is that Moses is here portrayed as having had a say in the matter. God wanted to show his people that prayer changes what would otherwise be inevitable. It looks as though Moses is included in the ‘divine council’ in some way. This is the privilege that we have in Jesus Christ. We can stand as it were in the throne room of God and be heard. Prayer can change things.
Intercede before God for someone else’s area of need.
Read Exodus 32:1-14
