Because I Know You

We come this evening to an absolutely incredible account of the Mediator's work. What we see is that Moses dares to make his requests of Yahweh on the basis of Yahweh's covenant — as he has before. But then he takes it further, and also appeals on the basis of God's gracious attachment to him, Moses. "Save them because you know me and are gracious to me!" That's the core of the Mediator's appeal. It's jaw-dropping, firstly because knowing Moses seems like such a shaky basis on which to save 2 million people, and secondly because it's not shaky at all. Instead, it's a preview of Christ's own mediatorial intercession. Jesus pleads with His Father to save us, and the argument that He has is "You know me and trust me." Wow. Double wow! Moses is already thinking, acting, and arguing like the ultimate Mediator. He is prepared to go to bat for Israel on the basis that God knows him by name and has shown grace to him. In the process of mediating like this, Moses learns God's ways, and finds even greater favor in His sight.