November 8 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Exodus 32:30–35

Devotional

Were the children of Israel blotted out when Moses returned from the mountain? Was that not to be expected? Yet the people were not destroyed. But the Lord said to Moses, “Lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee; behold, mine Angel shall go before thee.” In spite of their well-deserved punishment, the people were still permitted to travel onward under the cloud of God’s care. How was this possible? Did the Lord forget His justice?

No, the Lord does not forget His justice, but God still gives time so that the people can yet find grace. This grace was not founded on the intercession of Moses, but it was founded on Christ who was to come. In the old covenant every crumb of grace was a fruit of His suffering and dying, though it was in anticipation.

Three thousand people died. All the others were granted a reprieve, but for what purpose? It was that this reprieve might become an acquittal and that the postponement might lead to cancellation. For with God there is still mercy. Christ merited this with His atoning blood. The time of grace is precious. A time of grace means that with God there is still postponement for those who deserve God’s judgment. In this way they are privileged above the dead, for God still calls to them, “I have no pleasure in your death.” Why have you not yet been cast into death, unconverted sinner? Is it because you are better than the many for whom it is too late? Why is salvation still possible for you? The reason is only because God has made a distinction where there was no distinction. What are you doing with that precious time of grace? You are not better than those who are lost, but neither are those who are saved better than you. Therefore, salvation is still possible with the Lord because of the free mercy of Christ. The greater than Moses still receives guilty people.

Christ has come. By His death He earned the right to give grace. He is the God-appointed Mediator for guilt. Do you have guilt to bring before Him? Do you feel you have work for Him? He delights when we recognize our sin. And we cannot be too sinful for Him to save us. We can, however, be too good, too virtuous, too pious, or too religious. But when the need for Christ is born, then the door of hope is opened in the valley of Achor (Hos. 2:14, 15). Then those that mourn will be comforted. Then Christ will call out to them, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.