"Let Me alone, . . . that I may consume them," were the words of God. If God had purposed to destroy Israel, who could plead for them? How few but would have left the sinners to their fate! How few but would have gladly exchanged a lot of toil and burden and sacrifice, repaid with ingratitude and murmuring, for a position of ease and honor, when it was God Himself that offered the release.

Lad mig nu råde, så vil jeg tilintetgøre dem, sagde Gud. Hvis Gud havde besluttet at udrydde Israel, hvem kunne så gå i forbøn for dem? Hvor var der få, som ikke ville have overladt disse syndere til deres skæbne! Hvor var der få, der ikke med glæde ville have byttet et liv i slid, vanskeligheder og opofrelse uden at få andet end utaknemmelighed og knurren til gengæld, for en behagelig og ærefuld stilling når det var Gud selv, der tilbød den.