Numbers 14:19
Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Moses doesn't just ask for forgiveness; he reminds God of His own character. By appealing to the "greatness of your steadfast love" and recalling past forgiveness "from Egypt until now," he’s essentially saying, "This is who You are, God – merciful and forgiving, even when we repeatedly fail."
Following the devastating report from the spies that confirmed the land was unconquerable, the Israelites rebelled, wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb for their faith and even return to Egypt. God, provoked by their lack of faith despite witnessing countless miracles, declared He would destroy them and make a new nation from Moses. In response, Moses passionately interceded, appealing to God's great mercy and past forgiveness to spare the people from utter annihilation.
When we've messed up big time, where do we turn? Moses reminds us that God's mercy isn't earned, but flows from who He is.
Moses’ prayer in Numbers 14:19 is a masterclass in intercession. He doesn't try to excuse Israel’s sin, but boldly appeals to the greatness of God's steadfast love.
God’s past actions are not just history lessons; they are the very foundation for His future faithfulness. Why does Moses bring up Egypt?
Moses doesn't just appeal to God's general character; he grounds his plea in God's past actions with Israel. He reminds God of the forgiveness already shown since their exodus from Egypt.
Understand the original words
sālaḥ · Hebrew Verb
To pass over, release, or remove the weight of sin, restoring a relationship with God through His grace.
Moses' plea in Numbers 14:19 hinges on the long history of God's faithfulness and forgiveness towards Israel, even in the face of their persistent rebellion since leaving Egypt. This highlights that God's mercy is not a one-time offer but a continuous attribute that can be appealed to.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
God powerfully delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt through Moses, demonstrating His might and faithfulness.
c. 1446 BC
Murmurings and Idolatry
Shortly after the Exodus, the Israelites grumbled against God and even worshipped a golden calf, requiring God's forgiveness.
c. 1445 BC— this verse
Rebellion at Kadesh Barnea
The people, upon hearing the spies' negative report about Canaan, refused to enter the Promised Land and threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb.
c. 1445 BC
Divine Judgment Pronounced
In response to their rebellion, God decreed that the entire generation that left Egypt would die in the wilderness.
This passage describes God's character as 'slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.' Moses' plea in Numbers 14:19 directly appeals to these very attributes of God.
Psalm 106:43-45This psalm recounts Israel's history, highlighting how God repeatedly acted on Moses' intercession, 'according to the greatness of his steadfast love,' and forgave them despite their rebellions.
Nehemiah 9:17Nehemiah's prayer echoes the sentiment of Numbers 14:19, remembering God's 'graciousness' and that He is 'a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.'
Isaiah 55:7This verse calls people to turn to the Lord, who 'will abundantly pardon,' underscoring the theme that God's mercy and willingness to forgive are vast and readily available, just as Moses appealed for in this instance.
Luke 18:13The parable of the tax collector crying 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' demonstrates a similar plea for mercy based on God's character, reflecting the heart of Moses' intercession for Israel.
clarkeNumbers 14:19: "Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now."
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people - From Numbers 14:13 to Numbers 14:19 inclusive we have the words of Moses's intercession; they need no explanation, they are full of simplicity and energy; his arguments with God (for be did reason and argue with his Maker) are pointed, cogent, and respectful; and whi…
calvinNumbers 14:10-38: "But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel."
But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.
Tunc dixit tota multitudo, ut eos lapidibus obruerent: et gloria Jehovae apparuit in tabernaculo conventionis omnibus filiis Israel.
And the…
Moses doesn't just ask for forgiveness; he reminds God of His own character. By appealing to the "greatness of your steadfast love" and recalling past forgiveness "from Egypt until now," he’s essentially saying, "This is who You are, God – merciful and forgiving, even when we repeatedly fail."
Following the devastating report from the spies that confirmed the land was unconquerable, the Israelites rebelled, wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb for their faith and even return to Egypt. God, provoked by their lack of faith despite witnessing countless miracles, declared He would destroy them and make a new nation from Moses. In response, Moses passionately interceded, appealing to God's great mercy and past forgiveness to spare the people from utter annihilation.
Following the devastating report from the spies that confirmed the land was unconquerable, the Israelites rebelled, wanting to stone Joshua and Caleb for their faith and even return to Egypt. God, provoked by their lack of faith despite witnessing countless miracles, declared He would destroy them and make a new nation from Moses. In response, Moses passionately interceded, appealing to God's great mercy and past forgiveness to spare the people from utter annihilation.
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c. 1445 BC
Moses Intercedes
Moses pleaded with God for the people, appealing to God's mercy and reputation among the nations.
c. 1445 BC
God Relents on Judgment
God heard Moses' prayer and spared the people from immediate destruction, though the sentence of 40 years in the wilderness remained.
"Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”" — Moses doesn't just ask for forgiveness; he reminds God of His own character. By appealing to the "greatness of your steadfast love" and recalling past forgiveness "from Egypt until now," he’s essenti…
