EGW WritingsExodus 32

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 52, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 52, 1898, par. 22

The angels of God are close beside the one who ministers. No man who is called to be a shepherd of the flock can leave this work to be done by proxy. The great truths of God’s Word must come into connection with the practical life. They must educate line upon line, and precept upon precept, and [do] this in families that need instruction. Withdraw not from your brethren. Consider the case of Moses, worried, distressed, and anxious, his soul agonized. “And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down, for thy people (He does not condescend to own them as His people), which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: they have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” [Exodus 32:7, 8.]

13LtMs, Ms 52, 1898, par. 28

“And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiff-necked people: now therefore, let 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.” What a trial of the faith of Moses was this! “And Moses besought the Lord his God, and said, Lord, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? 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? ... Remember Abraham and Isaac and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of I will give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it forever. And the Lord repented of the evil which He had thought to do unto His people.” [Exodus 32:9-14.]

13LtMs, Ms 52, 1898, par. 34

Let us follow the history of Israel farther. When the Lord threatened to destroy the nation, Moses would not give them up. He returned from the mount to find the Children of Israel eating and drinking, and dancing and singing around the golden calf, “and he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and make the children of Israel drink of it.” This was their god. Then Moses turned to Aaron and said, “What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought me so great a sin upon them?” [Exodus 32:20, 21.]

13LtMs, Ms 52, 1898, par. 36

“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves unto him. And he saith unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses, and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.” [Verses 26-28.]

13LtMs, Ms 52, 1898, par. 43

“And it came to pass on the morrow that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord: peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sins. And Moses returned unto the Lord and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Therefore go now, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.” [Exodus 32:30-34.] Will the believers think of this statement?

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Ms 36, 1885

4LtMs, Ms 36, 1885, par. 17

After the children of Israel had listened at Sinai to the giving of the ten commandments, they fell into idolatry, and the Lord was angry with them. He said to Moses, “Let Me alone, ... that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” [Exodus 32:10.] But no; the man who had learned to seek after the lost sheep in the wilderness, who had endured cold and storm rather than leave one sheep to perish, could not give up the people placed in his care. He pled with God not to give them up, but to forgive their transgression. He prayed, “If Thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.” [Verse 32.] His earnest intercessions prevailed with God.

Prophets and Kings

Introduction—The Vineyard of the Lord

PK 16.2

“With great power, and with a mighty hand,” God brought His chosen people out of the land of Egypt. Exodus 32:11. “He sent Moses His servant; and Aaron whom He had chosen. They showed His signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.” “He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it was dried up: so He led them through the depths.” Psalm 105:26, 27; 106:9. He rescued them from their servile state, that He might bring them to a good land, a land which in His providence He had prepared for them as a refuge from their enemies. He would bring them to Himself and encircle them in His everlasting arms; and in return for His goodness and mercy they were to exalt His name and make it glorious in the earth.

Patriarchs and Prophets

Chapter 27—The Law Given to Israel

PP 314.1

Henceforth the people were to be honored with the abiding presence of their King. “I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God,” “and the tabernacle shall be sanctified by My glory” (Exodus 29:45, 43), was the assurance given to Moses. As the symbol of God’s authority and the embodiment of His will, there was delivered to Moses a copy of the Decalogue engraved by the finger of God Himself upon two tables of stone (Deuteronomy 9:10; Exodus 32:15, 16), to be sacredly enshrined in the sanctuary, which, when made, was to be the visible center of the nation’s worship.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 11—Carmel

PK 148.1

The Lord abhors indifference and disloyalty in a time of crisis in His work. The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil. The people of God are nearing the borders of the eternal world; what can be of more importance to them than that they be loyal to the God of heaven? All through the ages, God has had moral heroes, and He has them now—those who, like Joseph and Elijah and Daniel, are not ashamed to acknowledge themselves His peculiar people. His special blessing accompanies the labors of men of action, men who will not be swerved from the straight line of duty, but who with divine energy will inquire, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” (Exodus 32:26), men who will not stop merely with the inquiry, but who will demand that those who choose to identify themselves with the people of God shall step forward and reveal unmistakably their allegiance to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Such men make their wills and plans subordinate to the law of God. For love of Him they count not their lives dear unto themselves. Their work is to catch the light from the Word and let it shine forth to the world in clear, steady rays. Fidelity to God is their motto.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 11—God Vindicated on Mount Carmel

SS 76.4

The Lord abhors indifference in a time of crisis. The whole universe is watching with inexpressible interest the closing scenes of the great controversy between good and evil. What can be of more importance to the people of God than to be loyal to the God of heaven? All through the ages, God has had moral heroes, and He has them now—those who, like Joseph, Elijah, and Daniel, are not ashamed to acknowledge themselves His peculiar people. His special blessing accompanies men of action, men who will not be swerved from duty, but who will inquire, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” (Exodus 32:26)—men who will demand that those who choose to identify with the people of God shall step forward and reveal their allegiance to the King of kings. Such men make their wills subordinate to the law of God. For love of Him they count not their lives dear unto themselves. Fidelity to God is their motto.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Lt 22, 1896

11LtMs, Lt 22, 1896, par. 7

The question for the church to settle is, Who is prepared to stand up for the Lord at this time, even in difficult circumstances? After most earnestly asking the Lord in prayer, let the words be heard, “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.” [Exodus 32:26.] Let there be no striving for supremacy, no strife, for God’s Word declares, “All ye are brethren.” [Matthew 23:8.] There is a wrong in your midst. Minds in the church are being leavened by an influence that does not proceed from God, but which has been introduced, not suddenly, but gradually, until the whole church needs to inquire diligently, What spirit is prompting us to action? Will it lead to unity of mind and to correct principles? As Christians, we are but one firm, and we are to act in all things as the Lord Jesus would act were He in our place. But there has been and is in the church an unsanctified independence, which does not show submission to God. The members need to feel upon their minds an influence that is from above, not from beneath.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 22 (1907)

Ms 125, 1907

22LtMs, Ms 125, 1907, par. 14

God is speaking to His people today as he spoke to Israel through Moses, saying, “Who is on the Lord’s side?” [Exodus 32:26.] My brethren, take your position where God bids you. Leave alone those who, after light has been repeatedly given them, have taken a stand on the opposite side. You are not to spend precious time in repeating to them what they already know, and thus lose your opportunities of entering new fields with the message of present truth. Take up the work which has been given us. With the Word of God as your message, stand on the platform of truth and proclaim the soon coming of Christ. Truth, eternal truth, will prevail.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 15 (1900)

Ms 32, 1900

15LtMs, Ms 32, 1900, par. 8

Now something decisive must be done. The Lord gave [His] commandments, and Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves today to the Lord, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.” [Exodus 32:26-29.] A decided course taken by Aaron would have saved all these terrible consequences. His unfaithful course made sad work.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 11 (1896)

Ms 52, 1896

11LtMs, Ms 52, 1896, par. 60

I presented the case of Moses as he pleaded with God for one spiritual blessing after another, advancing step by step, not selfishly, but taking the people with him. He made intercession for the people, encircling them with the arm of faith and, like our merciful Saviour, laying hold on the throne of God, he presents the people sinful as they are before the mercy seat. “And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, O, this people hath sinned a great sin,” etc. [Exodus 32:31.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 17 (1902)

Lt 197, 1902

17LtMs, Lt 197, 1902, par. 9

The divine revelation and commission given to Moses made him great. He would not cease pleading, “Show me thy glory,” and the Lord made His glory pass before him. [Exodus 33:18, 19.] Moses talked with God face to face, as a man talketh with a friend. Naturally he was diffident, slow of speech, hesitating, self-distrustful; and the sense of his inability drove him to God to plead for the people under his leadership. But he was eloquent as he pleaded with God in behalf of his people. He presented them before the Lord, saying, “O, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now if thou wilt forgive this sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” [Exodus 32:31, 32.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 9 (1894)

Lt 85, 1894

9LtMs, Lt 85, 1894, par. 8

Although some were down with influenza, and could not come to the meeting, yet on the whole we had a very good attendance. I spoke from Matthew, seventh chapter, dwelling especially upon the promise, “Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” [Verse 7.] I presented to the people some thoughts upon the willingness of God to give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him, showing them that He is more willing to give them the Holy Spirit than parents are to give good gifts unto their children. The most of those present followed me with their Bibles, and seemed much interested as I presented the case of Moses as he pled with God for one spiritual blessing after another, advancing step by step, not selfishly, but taking the people with him. He made intercession for the people, encircling them with the arm of faith, and like our merciful Saviour, laying hold of the throne of God, he presented the people sinful as they were before the mercy seat. “And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, O, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” [Exodus 32:31, 32.]

9LtMs, Lt 85, 1894, par. 11

In pleading with God Moses continued, “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the Lord said unto Moses, whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.” [Exodus 32:32-34.] This lesson is for the admonition of all believers. God has made known His purpose that if men continue in transgression, if they do not return unto the Lord with repentance and confession, forsaking their sins, even their special sins and transgression, they will receive according to their works.

Christ Triumphant

Moses Was an Example of Genuine Humility, April 19

CTr 116.1

If thou wilt forgive their sin—and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. Exodus 32:32.

The Desire of Ages

Chapter 46—He Was Transfigured

DA 422.2

But before the crown must come the cross. Not the inauguration of Christ as king, but the decease to be accomplished at Jerusalem, is the subject of their conference with Jesus. Bearing the weakness of humanity, and burdened with its sorrow and sin, Jesus walked alone in the midst of men. As the darkness of the coming trial pressed upon Him, He was in loneliness of spirit, in a world that knew Him not. Even His loved disciples, absorbed in their own doubt and sorrow and ambitious hopes, had not comprehended the mystery of His mission. He had dwelt amid the love and fellowship of heaven; but in the world that He had created, He was in solitude. Now heaven had sent its messengers to Jesus; not angels, but men who had endured suffering and sorrow, and who could sympathize with the Saviour in the trial of His earthly life. Moses and Elijah had been colaborers with Christ. They had shared His longing for the salvation of men. Moses had pleaded for Israel: “Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray Thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.” Exodus 32:32. Elijah had known loneliness of spirit, as for three years and a half of famine he had borne the burden of the nation’s hatred and its woe. Alone he had stood for God upon Mount Carmel. Alone he had fled to the desert in anguish and despair. These men, chosen above every angel around the throne, had come to commune with Jesus concerning the scenes of His suffering, and to comfort Him with the assurance of the sympathy of heaven. The hope of the world, the salvation of every human being, was the burden of their interview.

From Heaven With Love

Chapter 46—Jesus Transfigured

HLv 286.3

Moses and Elijah had been colaborers with Christ. They had shared His longing for the salvation of men. Moses had pleaded for Israel: “Yet now, if Thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.” Exodus 32:32. Elijah had known loneliness of spirit, as for three years and a half of famine he had borne the nation’s hatred and woe. Alone he had fled to the desert in anguish and despair. These men had come to commune with Jesus concerning His suffering and to comfort Him. The salvation of every human being was the burden of their interview.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Lt 14, 1889

6LtMs, Lt 14, 1889, par. 51

Where is the spirit that Moses had when he cried earnestly to God day and night that He would exalt His own name among the nations? Where is that disinterested self-devotion which prompted the prayer of Moses, “Yet, if now Thou wilt forgive their sin, and if not, blot me I pray Thee, out of Thy book”? [Exodus 32:32.] Where [was] there anything of this shown in the zeal of these brethren? God forbid [that] anything should ever take place again like that which transpired at Minneapolis. All this undue excitement of natural feelings of chagrin and vexation was not the zeal heaven-born to stand in defense of the truth.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 6 (1889-1890)

Ms 42, 1890

6LtMs, Ms 42, 1890, par. 65

“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book.” [Exodus 32:32.] Oh, that God will breathe upon us the spirit of intercession, that we shall, in faith, ask great things of God because we believe in His power to fulfil His promise without any failure!

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 14 (1899)

Lt 109, 1899

14LtMs, Lt 109, 1899, par. 28

By their murmuring and complaining and fierce jealousy, they often brought the displeasure of God upon then. They thought that Moses meant to finally enrich himself with their cattle and goods. God talked with Moses face to face, as a man talks with his friend, and He told Moses He would destroy the people. But Moses pled with the Lord to spare the rebellious people, though they afflicted his soul continually. “If thou wilt not save Israel,” he said, “blot out my name from the book of life.” [Exodus 32:32.] Again and again Moses entreated the Lord for the people who had shown such little gratitude; but only two of the adults who left Egypt were permitted to enter the promised land.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 16 (1901)

Ms 125, 1901

16LtMs, Ms 125, 1901, par. 46

What is this character into which we are changed? Moses, earnestly interceding with God, presented one urgent necessity after another. He besought God to forgive the sin of apostasy into which the Israelites had fallen. He acknowledged that their sin was great, but he said: “Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” The Lord answered, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” He told Moses that if he would go before the children of Israel as their leader, he could claim the promise, “Behold, mine Angel shall go before thee.” [Exodus 32:32-34.]

Manuscript Releases, vol. 10 [Nos. 771-850]

MR No. 807—The Vision of Moses

10MR 153.4

Moses had made sacrifices. He had been willing to give his own life for the salvation of others, and had even prayed to the Lord to blot his name out of the book of life rather than destroy the children of Israel, the people whom God had so wonderfully and miraculously delivered. But the Lord would not blot His servant’s name out of His book. “Whosoever hath sinned against Me,” He said, “him will I blot out of My book” (Exodus 32:33). Time and again, through the intercession of Moses, the Lord had spared His disobedient people.

The Great Controversy

Chapter 28—Facing Life’s Record

GC 483.1

As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses: “Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.” Exodus 32:33. And says the prophet Ezekiel: “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, ... all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned.” Ezekiel 18:24.

The Great Controversy (1888 ed.)

Chapter 28—The Investigative Judgment

GC88 483.1

As the books of record are opened in the Judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses, “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” [Exodus 32:33.] And says the prophet Ezekiel, “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, ... all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned.” [Ezekiel 18:24.]

From Here to Forever

The Standard of Judgment

HF 297.4

As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation. Every name is mentioned, every case investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life. The Lord declared to Moses: “Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” Exodus 32:33.

Christ in His Sanctuary

Jesus the Advocate

CIHS 177.1

As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses: “Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.” Exodus 32:33. And says the prophet Ezekiel: “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, ... all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned.” Ezekiel 18:24.

Homeward Bound

Pardoned, October 19

HB 320.2

As the books of record are opened in the judgment, the lives of all who have believed on Jesus come in review before God. Beginning with those who first lived upon the earth, our Advocate presents the cases of each successive generation, and closes with the living. Every name is mentioned, every case closely investigated. Names are accepted, names rejected. When any have sins remaining upon the books of record, unrepented of and unforgiven, their names will be blotted out of the book of life, and the record of their good deeds will be erased from the book of God’s remembrance. The Lord declared to Moses: “Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.” (Exodus 32:33.) And says the prophet Ezekiel: “When the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, . . . all his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned.” (Ezekiel 18:24.)

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 69, 1912

25LtMs, Ms 69, 1912, par. 31

Moses had made sacrifices. He had been willing to give his own life for the salvation of others, and had even prayed to the Lord to blot his name out of the book of life, rather than destroy the children of Israel, the people whom God had so wonderfully and miraculously delivered. But the Lord would not blot His servant’s name out of His book. “Whosoever hath sinned against Me,” He said, “him will I blot out of My book.” Exodus 32:33. Time and again, through the intercession of Moses, the Lord had spared His disobedient people.