consent of God__t_o the people _going up to qano.an, on_ly, however, under the cnnil11ct nf an angel (eh. xxx111. 1-4); tlurd, the promise that his own pre,rence woulr\ "0 with them (eh. xxxiii. 14); finally, the perfect re-establishment of friendly relations, i':i the renew~! of the covenant (eh. xxxiv. 10). Like Jacob, MoseR, Ma prince, bad power with G- 0 ,l, and prevailed (Gen. xxxii. 28). It is to be noted, also, that this advance in power of prayer is connoctecl with nn e.dvnnce in Moses' own experience. In the first intercession, the thought which chiefly fills his mind is the thought of the people's da'flger. He does not attempt to excuse or palliate their sin, but neither does he make direct confession nf it. He sees only the nation's impending destruction, and is agonisingly earnest in his efforts to avert it. At this stage in his entreaty, Moses might almost seem to us mnro merciful than God. A higher stago is reached when Moses, having actually witnesse<l the transgression of the people, is brought to take sides with God in his wrath against it. His second intercession, accordingly, is pervaded by a. much deeper realisation of the en<>rmity of the sin for which forgiveness is sought. His sense of this is so awful, that it is now a moot question with him whether God possibly can forgive it (ver. 32). The third intercession, in like manner, is connected with a special mark of Jehovah's conde- scending favour to himself (eh. xxxiii. 9), emboldening him to ask that God will r,;,·tore his presence to the nation (ver. 15); while the fourth follows on the sight which is giveo him of Jehovah's glory, and on the revelation of the name (eh. xxxiv. 5-8). Observe more particularly in regard to the intercession in the text-I. The boon sought. It is that God will spa.re the people, that he will tum aside his fierce anger from them, and not consume them (ver. 12). 1'hus far, as abo\te hinted, it might almost seem as if Moses were more merciful than God. God seeks to destroy ; Moses pleads with him to spare. The wrath is in God; the pity in his servant. (Contrast with this the counter scene in Jonah iv.) The affinity of spirit between Jehovah and Moses, however, ie evinced later, in the hot anger which Moses feels on actually witnessing the sin. God's mercy, on the other hand, is shown in gi\ting Moses the opportunity to intercede. It was he who put the pity into his servant's heart, and there was that in his own heart which responded to it. 2. The spirit qf the rupplication. (1) How absolutely disin- terested. Moses sets aside, without even taking notice of it, the most glonous offer ever made to mortal man-" I will make of thee a great nation" (ver.10). This was Moses' trial. It tested" whether he loved his own glory better than he loved the brethren who were under his charge." He endured it nobly. (2) How intensely earnest. He seem~ to clasp the feet of God as one who could not, would not, leave, till he had obtained what he sought. (3) How supremely concerned about God·s glory. That is with Moses tho consideration above a.ll others. 3. The pleas urged. Moses in these pleas appeals to three principles in the Divine che.ractor, which really govern the Divine action- (!) To God's regard for his own work (ver. 11). The finishing of work he has begun (Phil. i. 6). (2) To God's regard for his own honour (ver. 12). Moses cannot bear t-0 think of God's action being compromised. (3) To God's regard for his own servants (ver.13). The love he bears to the fathers (cf. Deut. i\t. 31; x. 15). These are points in God's heart on which all intercession may lay hold. 4. The effect produced. God repented him of the evil he thought to do to Israel (ver. 14). Repented, i.e., turned back from a course which his displeasure moved him to pursue, and which, but for Moses' intercession, he would have pursued. It does not appear, however, that Moses was at this time informed of the acceptance of his intercession. Notice, also, that the actual remission was bestowed gradually. In this first act of intercession God sees, as it were, the point to which the whole series of intercessions tends, and in anticipation thereof, lays aside his anger.-J. 0.
EXPOSITION. Ver. 15-19.-MoBES BREAXS THB TWO two hands (Deut. ix. 15), and set out on hie TAllLHB. The entire conference between God return to the ce.mp. On the way, he fell in and Moses being now ended, Moses bllStened to with Joshua, who must have been on the descend from the mount, and interpose in the wateb for his descent, and the two proceeded crisis that had arisen. He took carefully the two together. When a certain portion of the dis- table, of stone, which be had received, in his tance had been traversed, the 1ounds of tho TUE DOOK OF EXODU& [,·11. XXXII. l.i-l!l