Deuteronomy 9:20
The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I also prayed for Aaron.
The LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him
This phrase highlights God's righteous anger towards Aaron due to his involvement in the sin of the golden calf (Exodus 32). Aaron, as the high priest and Moses' brother, held a position of significant spiritual leadership. His failure to uphold God's commandments led to severe consequences. The anger of the LORD reflects His holiness and intolerance of idolatry, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. This incident underscores the seriousness of leading others into sin, especially for those in positions of authority. The potential destruction of Aaron serves as a reminder of the gravity of sin and the justice of God.

but at that time I also prayed for Aaron
Moses' intercession for Aaron demonstrates the power and importance of prayer, especially in mediating between God and man. Moses, as a type of Christ, acts as an intercessor, foreshadowing Jesus' role as the ultimate mediator (1 Timothy 2:5). This act of intercession highlights the mercy and grace of God, who is willing to relent from judgment in response to sincere prayer. It also emphasizes the role of a leader in advocating for those under their care, showing compassion and seeking forgiveness on their behalf. Moses' prayer is a pivotal moment that averts disaster and restores Aaron, illustrating the transformative power of intercession.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and guide them through the wilderness. In Deuteronomy 9:20, Moses is interceding on behalf of Aaron.

2. Aaron
The brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel. He was involved in the sin of the golden calf, which provoked God's anger.

3. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant God of Israel, who is holy and just, yet merciful. He was angered by the idolatry of the Israelites but listened to Moses' intercession.

4. The Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from Egypt but often fell into disobedience and idolatry during their journey to the Promised Land.

5. The Golden Calf Incident
A significant event where the Israelites, led by Aaron, created and worshiped a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God.
Teaching Points
The Power of Intercession
Moses' intercession for Aaron demonstrates the power and importance of standing in the gap for others in prayer. As believers, we are called to intercede for those who have fallen into sin, trusting in God's mercy and grace.

The Seriousness of Idolatry
The incident with the golden calf serves as a stark reminder of the seriousness of idolatry. Anything that takes the place of God in our lives can become an idol, and we must guard our hearts against such temptations.

God's Mercy and Justice
While God is just and His anger is righteous, He is also merciful. Moses' successful intercession shows that God is willing to forgive when we repent and seek His face.

Leadership and Accountability
Aaron's failure as a leader highlights the importance of accountability and the need for leaders to remain steadfast in their commitment to God, even under pressure.

The Role of a Mediator
Moses acted as a mediator between God and the people, pointing to the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ, who intercedes on our behalf before the Father.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Moses' intercession for Aaron in Deuteronomy 9:20 inspire you to pray for others who may be struggling with sin?

2. In what ways can we identify and remove modern-day idols from our lives, drawing from the lessons of the golden calf incident?

3. How does the role of Moses as an intercessor compare to the role of Jesus as our intercessor, and what comfort does this bring to you?

4. What can we learn from Aaron's failure about the importance of strong, godly leadership, and how can we apply this in our own spheres of influence?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's mercy despite your failures. How can this experience encourage you to extend grace and forgiveness to others?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
This chapter provides the detailed account of the golden calf incident, highlighting Aaron's role and the people's rebellion.

Psalm 106
This psalm recounts Israel's history, including their idolatry and God's mercy, emphasizing the importance of intercession.

Hebrews 7:25
This verse speaks of Jesus as our intercessor, drawing a parallel to Moses' role in interceding for Aaron and the Israelites.
Humiliating MemoriesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 9:7-29
The Sin At HorebJ. Orr Deuteronomy 9:8-22
The Place of Human MediationD. Davies Deuteronomy 9:18-29
People
Aaron, Anak, Anakites, Isaac, Jacob, Moses
Places
Beth-baal-peor, Egypt, Horeb, Jordan River, Kadesh-barnea, Kibroth-hattaavah, Massah, Taberah
Topics
Aaron, Angry, Death, Destroy, Destroyed, Moreover, Prayed, Prayer, Ready, Shewed, Wrath
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 9:20

     5072   Aaron, spokesman

Deuteronomy 9:8-21

     4269   Sinai, Mount

Deuteronomy 9:16-21

     4618   calf
     7324   calf worship

Library
The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
"And Moses returned unto the Lord and said. Oh! this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou--wilt, forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray they, out of thy book which than hast written." In the preceding discourse we endeavored to show that the idea of being willing to be damned for the glory of God is not found in the text--that the sentiment is erroneous and absurd--then adduced the constructions which have been put on the text by sundry expositors,
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
Ver. 20. "And Noah began and became an husbandman, and planted vineyards."--This does not imply that Noah was the first who began to till the ground, and, more especially, to cultivate the vine; for Cain, too, was a tiller of the ground, Gen. iv. 2. The sense rather is, that Noah, after the flood, again took up this calling. Moreover, the remark has not an independent import; it serves only to prepare the way for the communication of the subsequent account of Noah's drunkenness. By this remark,
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

The Angel of the Lord in the Pentateuch, and the Book of Joshua.
The New Testament distinguishes between the hidden God and the revealed God--the Son or Logos--who is connected with the former by oneness of nature, and who from everlasting, and even at the creation itself, filled up the immeasurable distance between the Creator and the creation;--who has been the Mediator in all God's relations to the world;--who at all times, and even before He became man in Christ, has been the light of [Pg 116] the world,--and to whom, specially, was committed the direction
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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