Exodus 32:30-35 (NIV)

The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.”

So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”

The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.”

And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made.

Moses speaks to God of, “the book you have written.” What book?

This is only the fourth time the word “book” is used in the Bible and the other three refer to physical books that you can hold in your hands. This is something else.

Somehow this book is so obvious that Moses doesn’t need to explain or introduce it. It’s just “the book you have written.” The Bible goes on to mention this book many times. It’s “the book of life.”

May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous. – Psalm 69:28 (NIV)

So, the Israelites will be struck with a plague and some will be blotted out of the book of life. That sounds like a big deal but God has something bigger on His mind. He’s getting back to his original agenda – delivering Israel to the Promised Land. So, God tells Moses to focus on the main task and gives him the comforting detail that, “my angel will go before you.”

This is just a setback, not a game-changer.

We all have setbacks. They disrupt our hopes and dreams. They can even sow doubt.

Expect your faith to be attacked. It’s part of life and part of growing in Christ. In a sense, it’s a good sign. It’s like the adage coined by WWII B-17 pilots, “The flak only gets heavy when you’re over the target.”

Their point was to keep from losing focus just when they need it most. The moment of greatest danger is also the moment of greatest importance to the mission.

That’s the lesson for us when we’re under attack. Your first reaction to a setback should be concentration.

“Why is this happening?” “Is something up?” “What am I missing?” “What’s the point?” “What am I supposed to learn?” “How can I glorify God in this situation?”

If you believe that God is sovereign, then think like it.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies