“Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” — Exodus 32:32 (NKJV)

The next morning, Moses looked at the people who had made the golden cow. Some looked sorry. Others still looked angry. Some seemed confused about why their party had ended so badly. “You have done a terrible sin,” Moses said sadly. “Now I’m going back up the mountain to see if God will forgive you.”

Moses climbed Mount Sinai again, his heart breaking for his people. When he reached God, he didn’t make excuses for what they had done.

Instead, Moses said something that shocked everyone listening: “God, these people have made a golden god and worshipped it. If You will forgive them, that would be wonderful. But if You won’t forgive them, then please take my name out of Your book and let me be lost instead of them.” Moses had just offered to go to hell so his people could go to heaven. “Let me be punished for their sin,” Moses continued, tears running down his face. “I’d rather be lost forever than see them destroyed.”

This had never happened before in history. Moses was willing to give up his own salvation to save people who had betrayed both him and God. God answered, “I will forgive those who are truly sorry, but those who keep choosing evil will face the results. Now go lead My people.” Moses had shown what real love looks like—loving people more than your own life. As Moses walked back down the mountain, he thought about what he had just done. He was willing to be separated from God forever if it would save his people.

Thousands of years later, someone else would actually do what Moses was only willing to do. Jesus would actually take our punishment and die for our sins so we could live forever with God. “The Lord is merciful,” Moses told the people when he returned. “But each person must choose to follow Him or keep rebelling.” Moses had shown them the greatest love possible—being willing to die so others could live.

Did You Know? The word Moses used for “forgive” means “to carry” or “bear”—the same word used about Jesus carrying our sins. Moses was asking God to carry the people’s sin, which God later did through Jesus’ death on the cross. Moses’ offer to die for others makes him a picture of what Jesus would actually do for us.

🔥 Personal Reflection:

• Is there anyone you love enough that you would give your life to save theirs?
• How does Moses’ love for people who had hurt him challenge the way you treat people?
• What does it mean to you that Jesus actually did give His life for your sins?

🙏 Prayer: Dear God, help me love others like Moses did. When people hurt me or disappoint me, help me still care about their souls. Thank You that Jesus didn’t just offer to die for me—He actually did die for me. Help me pray for people who need You, especially those who seem far away from You. Make my love more like Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.