Exodus 32:12

“Wherefore should the Egyptians speak and say, etc.] Those that remained, as the Targum of Jonathan, who were not drowned in the Red sea: a good man will be concerned for the honour and glory of God among the enemies of his people, that their mouths may not be opened to blaspheme the Lord and speak ill of his ways, (see <060709>Joshua 7:9) and this is sometimes an argument with God himself, not to do that to his people they deserve, lest it should give occasion to the enemy to speak reproachfully, insult, and triumph, (<053226>Deuteronomy 32:26,27) for mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth; that he brought them out of…”

“The faithfulness of Moses in the office that had been entrusted to him was now to be put to the test. It was to be made manifest whether he loved his own glory better than he loved the brethren who were under his charge; whether he would prefer that he should himself become the founder of a “great nation,” or that the Lord’s promise should be fulfilled in the whole people of Israel. This may have been especially needful for Moses, in consequence of his natural disposition. See Numbers 12:3; and compare Exodus 3:11. With this trial of Moses repeated in a very similar manner Numbers 14:11-23, may be compared the trial of Abraham Genesis 22:0 and of our Saviour Matthew 4:8-10. Exodus 32:8 These…”

“Turn from thy fierce wrath - Not as if he thought God were not justly angry, but he begs that he would not be so greatly angry as to consume them. Let mercy rejoice against judgment; repent of this evil - Change the sentence of destruction into that of correction, against thy people which thou broughtest up out of Egypt - For whom thou hast done so great things? Wherefore should the Egyptians say, For mischief did he bring them out - Israel is dear to Moses, as his kindred, as his charge; but it is the glory of God that he is most concerned for. If Israel could perish without any reproach to God's name, Moses could persuade himself to sit down contented; but he cannot bear to hear God…”

“should: Num 14:13-16; Deu 9:28, Deu 32:26, Deu 32:27; Jos 7:9; Psa 74:18, Psa 79:9, Psa 79:10; Eze 20:9, Eze 20:14, Eze 20:22 Turn from: Deu 13:17; Jos 7:26; Ezr 10:14; Psa 78:38, Psa 85:3 repent: Exo 32:14; Gen 6:6; Deu 32:36; Psa 90:13, Psa 106:45; Amo 7:3, Amo 7:6; Jon 3:9; Zac 8:14 Exodus 32:13”