Exodus 32:10 Now therefore leave me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
Question: How would you understand this passage? Would you go away with the impression that God has had it up to here with them? Or would you see it as God calling Moses to intercessory prayer, for the good of His people? Depending on how one views God, the passage will be interpreted in one of two ways, either that God is finished with His people, or that He is yearning to save them from themselves. Which one is it? At this juncture we’ll have to let you know that many folks may read and study the Bible, and yet do not know who God is!
Exodus 32:11 And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 12 Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. 14 And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 318] Moses discerned ground for hope where there appeared only discouragement and wrath. The words of God, “Let Me alone,” he understood not to forbid but to encourage intercession, implying that nothing but the prayers of Moses could save Israel, but that if thus entreated, God would spare His people.
2nd Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!