This verse, Deuteronomy 9:27, is part of Moses' plea to God on behalf of the Israelites. He's interceding for them after they angered God by worshipping the golden calf. Let's break it down:
"Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." This is an appeal to God's covenant with the patriarchs. God had made promises of land, descendants, and blessing to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also known as Israel). Moses is asking God to remember these foundational commitments. It's a reminder of God's faithfulness in the past. The relationship between God and the Patriarchs was based on covenants.
"Don’t look at the stubbornness of this people, nor at their wickedness, nor at their sin." This is the heart of Moses' plea. He's asking God to turn a blind eye (figuratively) to the Israelites' present sins. "Stubbornness" refers to their unwillingness to obey God's commands. "Wickedness" and "sin" are broader terms encompassing their overall moral failings, particularly their idolatry.
In essence, Moses is asking God to:
Honor his past promises: Based on his covenant with their forefathers,
Show mercy: By not focusing on the current generation's failures.
The verse highlights:
The power of intercession: Moses acts as a mediator between God and the people.
God's grace: The underlying assumption is that God can choose to overlook sin and extend mercy.
The importance of covenant: God's promises are not easily broken, and Moses uses this to his advantage in his plea.
In simpler terms, Moses is saying, "God, I know these people messed up big time, but please remember your promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and don't let their current sins completely overshadow your commitment to them."
The fact that Moses brings up the patriarchs is significant because it points to something outside of the Israelites' own merits. They are not deserving of God's favor based on their recent actions. Instead, Moses is appealing to God's character and his established relationship with their ancestors.
This verse, Deuteronomy 9:27, is part of Moses' plea to God on behalf of the Israelites. He's interceding for them after they angered God by worshipping the golden calf. Let's break it down:
"Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." This is an appeal to God's covenant with the patriarchs. God had made promises of land, descendants, and blessing to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (also known as Israel). Moses is asking God to remember these foundational commitments. It's a reminder of God's faithfulness in the past. The relationship between God and the Patriarchs was based on covenants.
"Don’t look at the stubbornness of this people, nor at their wickedness, nor at their sin." This is the heart of Moses' plea. He's asking God to turn a blind eye (figuratively) to the Israelites' present sins. "Stubbornness" refers to their unwillingness to obey God's commands. "Wickedness" and "sin" are broader terms encompassing their overall moral failings, particularly their idolatry.
In essence, Moses is asking God to:
Honor his past promises: Based on his covenant with their forefathers,
Show mercy: By not focusing on the current generation's failures.
The verse highlights:
The power of intercession: Moses acts as a mediator between God and the people.
God's grace: The underlying assumption is that God can choose to overlook sin and extend mercy.
The importance of covenant: God's promises are not easily broken, and Moses uses this to his advantage in his plea.
In simpler terms, Moses is saying, "God, I know these people messed up big time, but please remember your promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and don't let their current sins completely overshadow your commitment to them."
The fact that Moses brings up the patriarchs is significant because it points to something outside of the Israelites' own merits. They are not deserving of God's favor based on their recent actions. Instead, Moses is appealing to God's character and his established relationship with their ancestors.