God's covenant with His people had been disannulled, and He declared to Moses, "Let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation." The people of Israel, especially the mixed multitude, would be constantly disposed to rebel against God. They would also murmur against their leader, and would grieve him by their unbelief and stubbornness, and it would be a laborious and soul-trying work to lead them through to the Promised Land. Their sins had already forfeited the favor of God, and justice called for their destruction. The Lord therefore proposed to destroy them, and make of Moses a mighty nation.

Guds pagt med sit folk var blevet tilbagekaldt, og han erklærede over for Moses: "Lad mig nu råde, at min vrede kan blusse op imod dem, så vil jeg tilintetgøre dem; men dig vil jeg gøre til et stort folk!" Israels folk, og især den sammenløbne hob, ville stadig være tilbøjelige til at gøre oprør mod Gud. De ville også knurre imod deres leder og bedrøve ham med deres vantro og stædighed, og det ville blive en møjsommelig og prøvende opgave at lede dem frem til det forjættede land. De havde allerede ved deres synder forspildt Guds gunst, og retfærdigheden krævede, at de blev tilintetgjort. Derfor foreslog Herren at tilintetgøre dem og gøre Moses til et stort folk.