Table of Contents
Exodus 32:32-33 mentions a “book” in a pivotal conversation between Moses and God. This passage comes after the Israelites committed the grave sin of worshiping the golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments. When Moses comes down and sees the idolatry, he is enraged, breaks the tablets of stone, and pleads with God on behalf of the people. The “book” mentioned here has been the subject of much theological discussion and interpretation.
Context of Exodus 32:32-33
To understand the significance of the “book” mentioned in these verses, it’s important to look at the full context:
- Exodus 32:30-31 (NKJV): “Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’ Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, ‘Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold!'”
- Exodus 32:32-33 (NKJV): “Yet now, if You will forgive their sin, but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book.'”
In these verses, Moses is interceding for the people of Israel, offering himself as a substitute for their sin. He requests that if God will not forgive the people’s sin, He should blot Moses out of the “book” He has written. God responds by saying that He will blot out from His book those who have sinned against Him.
What Is This Book?
The “book” mentioned in this passage is often understood to be the “Book of Life,” a concept that appears in other parts of the Bible. The Book of Life is believed to be a divine record kept by God that contains the names of those who are righteous and will inherit eternal life.
References to the Book of Life in the Old Testament
The concept of a divine record or “Book of Life” is not exclusive to this passage in Exodus. Several other references in the Old Testament suggest the existence of such a book:
- Psalm 69:28 (NKJV): “Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, And not be written with the righteous.”
This verse, attributed to King David, refers to the “book of the living” and connects it with righteousness. The implication is that those who are wicked will be removed from this divine record. - Daniel 12:1 (NKJV): “At that time Michael shall stand up, The great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; And there shall be a time of trouble, Such as never was since there was a nation, Even to that time. And at that time your people shall be delivered, Every one who is found written in the book.”
In this verse, the prophet Daniel speaks of a book that records the names of those who will be delivered during a time of great tribulation. This also points to the idea of a “Book of Life” that determines who is saved.
The Book of Life in the New Testament
The New Testament provides further clarification and expansion on the concept of the Book of Life. The book is mentioned explicitly in several passages, often in the context of salvation and eternal life.
- Luke 10:20 (NKJV): “Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
Jesus speaks to His disciples, telling them that they should rejoice because their names are “written in heaven.” This is a clear reference to the divine record, likely the Book of Life. - Philippians 4:3 (NKJV): “And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.”
The Apostle Paul explicitly mentions the “Book of Life” in this verse, referring to his fellow workers in the gospel whose names are recorded in this divine book. - Revelation 3:5 (NKJV): “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”
In this verse, Jesus speaks of the importance of remaining faithful, promising that those who overcome will not have their names blotted out of the Book of Life. - Revelation 20:12, 15 (NKJV): “And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books… And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.”
These verses describe the final judgment, where the Book of Life is opened, and those whose names are not found in it are condemned.
Theological Significance of the Book of Life
The Book of Life holds profound theological significance in both the Old and New Testaments. It symbolizes God’s sovereign knowledge and record of those who belong to Him. The inclusion or exclusion of a name from this book represents the ultimate destiny of a person’s soul, whether they will experience eternal life or eternal separation from God.
Moses’ Intercession and the Concept of Substitutionary Atonement
Moses’ willingness to be blotted out of God’s book if the people are not forgiven is a powerful act of intercession. It demonstrates his deep love for the people and his role as a mediator. This foreshadows the concept of substitutionary atonement, which is fully realized in the New Testament through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
In Romans 9:3 (NKJV), the Apostle Paul echoes a similar sentiment: “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh.” Here, Paul expresses a willingness to be cut off for the sake of his fellow Israelites, much like Moses did.
However, God’s response to Moses in Exodus 32:33, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book,” highlights the principle of individual responsibility. Each person is accountable for their own sins, and no human can take the place of another in terms of eternal judgment. This points to the need for a perfect mediator, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.
Conclusion
The “book” mentioned in Exodus 32:32-33 is understood to be the Book of Life, a divine record of those who are righteous and will inherit eternal life. This concept is consistent throughout Scripture, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. Moses’ plea to be blotted out of this book on behalf of the Israelites demonstrates his deep intercession and foreshadows the ultimate act of substitutionary atonement through Jesus Christ. God’s response underscores the importance of individual responsibility and the necessity of being found in the Book of Life, a theme that culminates in the final judgment as described in the Book of Revelation.
Check out the Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team