30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”
31 So Moses went back to the Lord and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. 32 But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
33 The Lord replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. 34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”
35 And the Lord struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. Exodus 32:30-35
The Lord continued to keep His promise of leading the Israelites. They would be punished for their disobedience however.
We’re not sure what the plague was, but if it was anything like what He sent the Egyptians, the Hebrews would not enjoy it at all. If they had exhibited a bit more patience in waiting for Moses, they would not have had to endure this hardship. Did they learn their lesson? Probably not because they’re human and frail.
Moses did intercede on their behalf and the Lord spared some of His punishment.
It’s probably time to interceded on behalf of the country, the President, Israel, and quite frankly, the world. With the coronavirus being front and center in most news organizations, it’s difficult to turn our attention elsewhere. In fact, Pakistan and east Africa just experienced a plague (often together with the phrase “of Biblical proportions”) of locusts but not many people know about it.
Viruses, plagues, and the economy is about to crash.
We live in crazy times. What will the future even a month from not look like? It’s anybody’s guess.
God, however, has not left his place on the throne. He knows intimately what’s going on in every heart and mind. World events do not shock him for He is in the midst of it all.
Fear not, for God is still with us, among us, and in us. Find comfort in his love and grace today.
Pray that the Lord’s will be done in these perilous times.