Remember how you provoked the Lord
The exodus was a glorious picture of Israel’s redemption. A miraculous deliverance from slavery and bondage. A mighty defeat of their pursuing adversary. It was to remind them always of their spiritual deliverance and salvation. God did it all! And now they were obligated to live as redeemed children in a dark world.
But no sooner had they been saved than they forgot. Moses called them “stubborn” (v. 6) and “rebellious” (v. 7). He had been called to the top of Mount Horeb to receive from the Lord instruction in how redeemed people ought to live. Moses met with God for 40 days and received the Law permanently inscribed on stone. In his absence, however, the people had made for themselves a metal image to worship (v. 12). God was so angry that he was prepared to destroy them (v. 8). But Moses, as mediator, prayed for this sinful people, pleading that God in mercy would forgive them. He asked God to remember that he had redeemed them (v. 26).
Forty years had passed since that terrible day, and on the banks of the Jordan River Moses told the people to remember how sin provoked the Lord. But God forgave them because of his mercy. That’s why he chooses not to remember our sin against us (see Jer. 31:34).
In like manner, as we journey forward in our lives, God is looking for humble, obedient, submissive, grateful, and worshipping hearts. These are the ones he has covenanted to bless.
