Forgiveness - Exodus 32:32

“Now if You would only forgive there sin. But if not, please erase me from the book You have written. The Lord replied to Moses: “Whoever has sinned against Me I will erase from My book”. Exodus 32:32-33

These verses refer to Moses asking God to forgive the Israelites for creating and worshiping false idols. Exodus chapter 32 tells the story of the golden calf in which the Israelites become afraid when Moses is delayed in his return from Mt. Sinai and ask Aaron (Mosses’ brother) to make them a god. Aaron then creates a golden calf and the people worship and revel in this new god.

Moses is enraged at the people for there lack of faith and sin. I am sure he could have easily just walked away and left them in the desert, but he followed God’s instruction. Verse 34 states “Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about; see, My angel will go before you. But on the day I settle account, I will hold them accountable for their sin”.

Moses sets the example for us; even though he was furious with the Israelites he went to God and prayed on there behalf, seeking forgiveness for them. Moses had to forgive them and find peace in his heart about the matter so he would be able to continue to carry out God’s will and lead the Israelites to the promise land.

If we hold anger and un-forgiveness in our hearts it can blind us from seeing God’s beautiful plan for our lives. If some one betrays or hurts us we must pray to God on there behalf and ask God to help us forgive them. We can let go of anger knowing we do not need to seek payback because God tells us He will hold them accountable for their sin.

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for sharing with me your plan for forgiveness. Please help me find mercy in my heart so I can be open to Your plan for my life – Amen.

Forgiveness

The other day God put the idea of forgiveness on my heart. First when I was listening to a Joyce Meyer podcast while I exercised. When I finished my exercise I came in to read my emails and the daily devotional from Proverbs 31 Ministry was also about forgiveness. This came at a time when a lot of harsh childhood and teenage memories had been flooding back into my mind. This made it very easy for me to quickly make a mental note of all the people who had “done me wrong”. So I took Joyce Meyer’s suggestion and prayed for God to show me who I need to work on forgiving first. Guess whose face came to my heart…..My own.

It took me a while to process this. But once I did I realized that no matter what anyone else had “done” to me. I had not leaned on God for support but rather I let it give me a victim mentality which allowed me to become bitter, self hating and doubting myself in every step. This was a choice I made, so before I could forgive anyone else I must learn to forgive myself. I was so excited to learn this, because even though I am a much happier person that that teenager I was years ago. I still carry quite a bit of baggage of the past.

This leads me to my first personal study: Forgiveness

Merriam-Webster.com defines Forgive as 1. To give up resentment of or claim to requital for 2. To grant relief from payment 3. To cease to feel resentment against (an offender)

Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary defines forgiveness as – the act of excusing or pardoning others in spite of their slights, shortcomings, and errors. As a theological term, forgiveness refers to God’s pardon of the sins of human beings.


Dear Lord, thank you for showing me the need to forgive myself and others as You have forgiven me. I look forward to growing in my faith knowing you will impart to me in this study what you want me to learn. – Amen.