What More Do You Want?

You have committed a terrible sin.   Exodus 32:30

Three thousand people were already dead, and the 1,997,000 people remaining had made some indication of repentance toward God. So why does Moses get up the next day and say, “You have committed a terrible sin”? These people already know they’ve done wrong. Talk about preaching to the choir!

What happened to forgiveness? Why doesn’t Moses draw a line under it? Isn’t it his duty to tell them that they are forgiven? These people are sorry. What more does Moses want from them? Notice there is no forgiveness offered by God here. Why? Isn’t it God’s duty to forgive them?

No, something must happen before forgiveness can be granted. Moses announces, “I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin” (Exodus 32:30, NIV). It is at this point in the Bible story that we discover a new word, atonement. What is an atonement? Atonement is what it costs to take something that is wrong and put it right.

The English word atonement can be split into three parts: “at-one-ment.” If two people are divided by a dispute, an atonement is what it will take to restore their relationship so they are “at one.” Wherever there is an offense, we face the question of atonement. What will it cost to take what is wrong and put it right?

Are you feeling that God is far removed from you? Have you wondered what it would take to restore a right relationship with God? Maybe you are sorry for your sins. Maybe you have even tried to make things right with God. There is nothing wrong with these things, but by themselves they cannot make you right with God.

If you and God are going to be at peace with each other, you need an atonement. This atonement for sin was offered by Jesus Christ through his death on the cross. Put your trust in that sacrifice, and you will be “at one” with God.

For further reading, see Hebrews 2