Since God is all knowing.. Why did He receive help in seeing the bigger picture? For instance, in Numbers, the Lord was very angry w/ Israel and was going to bring His wrath on them. Moses jumps in, and in other words, says Lord, what will the people say? You took them out of Egypt to kill them in the wilderness? Then the Lord withholds His wrath.
I'm confused here. Was He testing Moses to see if he would intercede? Obviously, the Lord didn't need Moses to tell Him this, did He? I mean, it appears the same as if I get angry, even rightfully upset...I may say something without giving it much thought, then a brother will assist me and help me see a better way. But I just don't see God being in this type of situation, which is how it appears... It appears that He was very upset, was going to act, and someone stepped in.
I don't know, i'm missing something here... This happened in Exodus, and Abraham did this as well.
Interesting question. I think it was a prophesy about Jesus saving us from an angry God, and how He would be our future intercessor. I found a commentary that says something like this, but not exactly. I will post it for you.
The greatest of all mediators in the Old Testament, however, is Moses. Moses not only served as a mediator in the innocent sense when, at God's gracious initiative, he communicated the terms of the Sinaitic covenant with Israel (Exod 19:9; 20:19; 24:1-2; 34:27-28; Lev 26:46; Deut 5:5); but he served as Israel's intercessor after they had broken the covenant and stood in danger of God's righteous wrath according to the covenant's terms (Exod 32:7-14; 33:12-23; Num 14:13-19). After Moses' death, and in the face of continued violation of the covenant, other figures arose to urge Israel's compliance with the law and to intercede for Israel during times of disobedience. Samuel pled with God for the people generally and for the king in particular (1 Sam 12:17-18; 13:13-14; 15:10-33); the true prophets attempted to stand between God and his disobedient people to avert disaster; and the priests, when they were faithful to their appointed tasks, offered sacrifices to atone for the people's sins (Lev 4:1-5:19).
The prophets recognized, however, that Israel's sin was too deeply etched into their hearts for these measures to effect a lasting reconciliation between God and his people (Jer 13:23; 17:1; 18:12). Jeremiah and Ezekiel, therefore, spoke of a time when God would give his people a new heart and a new, everlasting covenant whose terms a fresh outpouring of his Spirit would enable them to keep (Jer 24:7; 31:31-34; 32:40; 50:5; Ezek 11:19; 18:31; 34:25; 37:26; 39:29). According to the New Testament, the coming of Jesus ushered in the era of this new covenant, and Jesus himself is its mediator.
I know this is not that much help, but I am still looking. I do believe it was somewhat of a test for Moses as well.
Moses made humble intercession for Israel. Herein he was a type of Christ, who prayed for those that despitefully used him. The pardon of a nation's sin, is the turning away the nation's punishment; and for that Moses is here so earnest. Moses argued that, consistently with God's character, in his abundant mercies, he could forgive them.
This is the concise version, the complete is very long and does mention that Moses was also tested in three areas.
1) Did he still put God's best interest first?
2) Even after their rebellion, did ne still put Israel's interest before his own?
3) Would he accept a reward at the expense of others?
It is a very complete work, and I would suggest reading it if you have time.
Moses, as well as Abraham and Christ, are of one accord. Our Intercessors, Advocates, and Redeemers with the Father. Without our beloved helpers, we may very likely be receiving the full wrath of God. But instead, we receive the perfect corrections and consequences of our sins... just enough for us to handle so that we can grow in Him, versus receiving His full wrath... death. Praise God!
