So God says to Moses in v.10: "Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you." What?? Moses was just offered a perfectly good chance to quit his frustrating role as leader of the complaining, ungrateful Israelites and be recipient of a wonderful covenant with God. He could have made a great name for himself. And it wouldn't have been against God's wishes either. God wanted to do this. If I were Moses, I would've totally let God have his way. God wants to give me this amazing honor? Sure! Why not?
Instead, Moses intercedes on Israel's behalf and pleads for God to turn away his anger. And his reasons are, one, because the Egyptians would mock, and two, because God had made a covenant with Abraham. In other words, Moses was more concerned about God's reputation among the nations and his covenant faithfulness than about his own worth and prestige.
Amazing. Moses is definitely a guy who had his heart and mind set on making God's glory great. God's offer to Moses must've been so enticing. I mean, if God handed me an amazing opportunity like that, such as to become the president of Oxford University or become a bestselling author, I'd jump at the chance and be utterly grateful to God. But Moses was like, "Uh uh, I am not taking you up on that. Your glory is more important."
Yes, theologically speaking, God's glory would have been demonstrated either way, by punishing Israel's sin, or by upholding his covenant with Abraham. Ultimately, of course, he does both. But I'm just saying that, at that moment, Moses' biggest concern was God's renown. Would that I could remember that for myself always.
