4.9.26 ~ Our Grace-Filled Defense Attorney

Some may think, after yesterday's study, that the definition I am introducing regarding the term "grace" is almost sacrilegious. And at minimum, it sounds kind of like we are undoing the Reformation movement because we are filling in the gaps to the normative understanding of grace. Yeppers, we are fiddling with grace.

Let us keep filling in the gaps. Do you remember the golden calf story (Ex. 32–34)? Do you remember how angry God got? He was ticked off... really, really angry! He distanced Himself from Israel. He called them out over their behavior. He was ready to start over. He offered an angel to lead them, but He first said, "I am going to kill you all and start again with Moses." Moses pushed back; he argued, he pressed God, and went through a boatload of thoughts.

What Moses did is known in the legal world as a sanegor—a defense attorney, an advocate on behalf of his client (the children of Israel, God's wife). Unlike a modern-day legal representative, Moses does not sugarcoat Israel's crimes against her husband. She is guilty! The evidence is indisputable. Forty days after their covenant marriage, they get the words of divorce. This is really bad. Moses stands up, and he does not even try to deny the fact. He does not try to minimize it. He is simply going to sanegor this thing with God. He is going to argue the case. He is going to present the reason why the judgment should be tempered and why God should change His mind because of what is at stake. And here is where I really want you to pay attention :-)

Moses starts by arguing with God about His reputation. He places His reputation right before Him: "What are they going to think about you in Egypt if you abandon us?" He is making a legal argument. Then he reminds them of the promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: "Remember what you swore to them?" He is challenging God on His word. That is covenantal stuff with the patriarchs. Moses leans on it, and the conversation deepens.

Moses quickly moves away from those two non-negotiable arguments, relying less and less on those sure-fire legal points, and what is left now is Moses himself: his relationship with God. He uses God's own words back to the Judge presiding over the case. God said, "You have found grace; you have found favor in my eyes." "OK God, if that is real and that actually means something (coming from You it means something :-), if I have done that—if I have earned it—then let it count. Let it matter for these people and not just for me." That is like the ultimate Savior—one who stands in the gap, identifying with his people.

Keep in mind what has already been established: that what was significant about chen (grace) is that God offers to go because of Moses, not because of the people. God says, "OK, you are right—you have earned it. You have proved yourself. I will go with you, but only you. My presence will go with you, because you have found favor in my eyes." When you step back and think about it, that is a generous offer, which Moses immediately turns down. He responds to the offer: "If Your presence does not go with us, and You will not lead us, then blot my name out of Your book." Oh, my stars!

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
(Ex. 32:32)

Moses had every reason to take that deal; he had every reason to avoid going back with these people. They had started complaining about what they missed in Egypt. He came down to find that they had built this calf, which would make any leader say, "This is not worth it." Yes, the God of the universe offers me a personal arrangement. "I will take it! I am out of here. Good luck, boys and girls..." But he said, "No! If my grace means anything to you, and I have got Your favor, it has to be something for them too."

He binds himself to the people. He refuses God's offer and will not be separated. God wins. Moses wins. Think about the miraculous occasion here. Moses wins the argument:

And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
(Ex. 33:17)

On the merit of one righteous man standing with God—Moses—all Israel is granted standing with God. Does this sound familiar? That is the ultimate Redeemer—our Messiah Yeshua.

We are building a thought a day. This morning, let me encourage you to imagine yourself in the Israelites' shoes, Moses' shoes, and how God pours His grace into your life!

Have a grace-filled day!

Shalom,
Alan

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