Exodus 32      The giving of the ten commandments was on stones engraved by the finger of God himself. Their revelation was supposed to be a glorious event, but it was upstaged by a rebellious people.  The Israelites had corrupted their worship, and sinned against the God who brought them out of Egypt.  So the day that was to be a celebration of life and holiness became a day of death and fear.

If it were not for the intercession of Moses, the great experiment of a nation under God would have ended there at the mountain.  So, we also should learn to intercede for the lost and backslidden.

LORD, forgive us, and lead us back to the paths of righteousness, for YOUR name’s sake.