We tend not to give second chances to the people who sin against us. We harbor resentment, foster suspicion, and fear being hurt again. Thankfully, God is not like us. He is the God of second chances who shows mercy to undeserving people whom He knows will sin against Him again. He is able to do this (and yet remain just) through the sacrifice of a Mediator who took the guilt of our sin upon Himself so that we might know the grace of God.

Moses knew that God’s Presence was essential for his own life and leadership, for the welfare of the nation, and for Israel’s witness to the world. Without His immediate presence they would be directionless, defenseless, and hopeless. We, too, are helpless whenever we try to live our lives apart from the abiding Presence of God. The good news is that God sent His Son and His Spirit so that believers might know the grace of His saving Presence every moment of every day.

The apostle Paul indicates in several New Testament passages that believers are to teach one another. Such instruction can take place formally or informally, and it also includes some aspects like admonishing and rebuking one another that may be difficult to do, but are important for mutual edification and the health of the body of Christ.

In Exodus 33 the Israelites were terrified to think that God had left them alone. He had not left them, of course, even though their sin had indeed strained the intimacy of their relationship. Through His mediator He continued to share regular fellowship with his people. Whether due to our circumstances or our sin, we often feel isolated from God in our everyday lives. But we are never alone if we have known the grace of Jesus Christ. He is the Ultimate Mediator who secures our permanent fellowship with God no matter where we are or what we have done.

Hebrews 12 says, ‘No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.’ The Israelites no doubt felt that God’s discipline following the golden calf incident was quite harsh, just as we do when facing discipline for our sin. But in His mercy, God always disciplines us for His greater glory, our greater good, and the greater proclamation of His grace through the Savior, Jesus Christ.

Speech is a wonderful gift from God, but the apostle Paul in various passages reminds believers that sin’s corrupting influence causes us to use God’s good gift to lie to, grumble against, and pass judgment on, one another. Yet in Christ, we are to put those things off. Instead when we talk to one another, our speech must be seasoned with salt, and we should speak to one another with Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This is how citizens of God’s kingdom ought to speak to one another.

The only thing more difficult than recognizing our own sin is having others point it out to us! Our natural reaction is to downplay it, deny it, and deflect the blame to others. Aaron did just that after creating the golden calf, but Moses shows us a better way forward. By recognizing the gravity of our sin, owning it, and taking responsibility for active repentance, we discover the path to forgiveness and growth through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you believe that your prayers can actually save a person’s physical and spiritual life? Moses prayed and an entire nation was saved from death. He was heard because he served as God’s covenantal mediator. In the Lord Jesus Christ, we have a far greater Mediator who not only saves us from death but empowers us to continue His live-saving ministry of intercession.

When left to their own devices, the Israelites embraced and indulged the very sin they had just been commanded to resist. Sadly, we do the same thing in our Christian lives every day. Who will rescue us from this body of death? Thanks be to God who does so through Jesus Christ our Lord.