Moses again refuses to have Israel destroyed and himself made a mightier nation than they. This favored servant of God manifests his love for Israel and shows his zeal for the glory of his Master and the honor of His people. Thou hast forgiven this people from Egypt even until now; Thou hast been long-suffering and merciful hitherto toward this ungrateful nation; and however unworthy they may be, Thy mercy is the same. He pleads: Wilt Thou not therefore spare them this one, and add this one more instance of divine patience to the many Thou hast already given? {4T 152.2}

Moses afviser endnu at få Israel udslettet og få gjort sig et mægtigere folk end de. Denne gudsbegunstigede tjener viser sin kærlighed for Israel og viser sin nidkærhed for sin mesters herlighed og dennes folks ære. Hidtil endda har du tilgivet dette folk fra Ægypten; du har været langmodig og nådig hidtil mod dette utaknemmelige folk; og uanset hvor uværdigt folket er, er din barmhjertighed den samme. Han beder: Vil du derfor ikke nok spare dette folk og give endnu et eksempel på guddommelig tålmodighed, som du allerede har givet?