Relent

And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
Exodus 32:14 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/exo.32.14.ESV

Why did the Lord want to bring disaster upon His people in the first place? Because they had rebelled against Him. Having delivered them from slavery in Egypt, they decided to now follow false gods.

God's people certainly deserved disaster. So why did He not visit it upon them? Because of the intercession of Moses.

Firstly, Moses used a negative exhortation. He asked God to consider how it would look to the world if He delivered Israel from Egypt only to destroy them in the wilderness. Clearly, that wouldn't reflect well on the Lord.

Secondly, and more positively, Moses appealed to God's promises to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to make a great nation of them. He reminded God that He had sworn by Himself to do it. If God went back on His word, He'd be a liar!

'God our Lord, thank You that You don't desire that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and faith in You. May we be faithful witnesses of You, for Your glory, amen'

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