Exodus 34:9
And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O LORD, let my LORD, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
Exodus 34:9
In Exodus 34:9, Moses pleads, “If now I have found grace in thy sight… let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” The verse shows the intimate, petitionary dialogue between Moses and God. Moses acknowledges Israel’s stubbornness and pleads for God’s continued presence and mercy. The language of “go among us” is the phrase for God’s indwelling presence with the people—essential for their identity as a nation under covenant. The request to “pardon our iniquity” emphasizes communal repentance and dependence on divine forgiveness. The closing petition to be “thine inheritance” recalls Israel’s status as God’s treasured possession, a status that carries responsibility to reflect His character. The verse situates Moses as the mediator who intercedes for a people who cannot. It demonstrates that leadership within God’s plan involves intercession, humility, and reliance on God’s mercy.
This moment highlights the relational nature of God’s presence with Israel. God’s willingness to “go among us” and forgive underscores the merciful intimacy at the heart of the covenant. It foregrounds the idea that divine presence is the foundation of national identity and mission. Moses embodies mediator-grounded leadership, modeling prayerful dependence on God’s grace. Theologically, the passage invites reflection on how God remains present among imperfect communities and how forgiveness sustains that presence. It also anticipates the broader biblical pattern of intercession: leaders and prayer for mercy enable continued divine partnership with flawed people.
Approach God with honesty about your own stubbornness and need for His presence. Ask Him to go with you into work, family life, and ministry, recognizing that you cannot carry the day on your own. Practical steps: schedule regular times of confession and intercession for your community; cultivate a habit of praying for those difficult relationships and for God to remain with you in your daily tasks. Invite God’s presence into your routines—meals, commutes, and conversations—so that your life becomes a visible witness of His inheritance.
Cross-References: Numbers 14:11-12; Psalm 106:4-5; Romans 8:14-16; Hebrews 11:16; 1 Peter 2:9