“And it came to pass, when the congregation was gathered against Moses and against Aaron, that they looked toward the tabernacle of the congregation: and, behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared. And Moses and Aaron came before the tabernacle of the congregation. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Get you up from among this congregation, that I may consume them as in a moment. And they fell upon their faces.” Notwithstanding the rebellion of Israel and their cruel conduct to Moses, he still manifested for them the same interest as before. Falling upon his face before the Lord, he implored Him to spare the people. While thus praying for the Lord to pardon the sins of His people, Moses requested Aaron to make an atonement for their sin while he remained before the Lord, that his prayers might ascend with the incense and be acceptable to God, and that all the congregation might not perish in their rebellion. {3T 352.1}

»Men da menigheden samlede sig mod Moses og Aron, vendte de sig mod åbenbaringsteltet og se, skyen dækkede det og Herrens herlighed kom til syne. Da trådte Moses og Aron hen foran åbenbaringsteltet og Herren talede til Moses og Aron og sagde: »Fjern eder fra denne menighed, så vil jeg i et nu tilintetgøre dem!« Da faldt de på deres ansigt.« Upåagtet Israels oprør og deres forfærdelige opførsel over for Moses, viste han stadig den samme interesse for dem som før. Han faldt på sit ansigt for Herren og bønfaldt Herren om at spare folket. Da han bad således til Herren efter at tilgive sit folks synder, bad Moses Aron om at gøre en soning for deres synd medens han blev foran Herren, så hans bønner kunne stige op med røgelse og være antagelig for Gud, så hele menighedsforsamlingen ikke måtte gå fortabt i deres oprør.