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So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, this people has committed a great sin; they have made for themselves a god of gold. Now if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book You have written." The LORD replied to Moses: "Whoever has sinned against Me I will erase from My book. Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about; see, My angel will go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin." - Exodus 32:31-34 HCSB

When Yahweh’s people encourage one another to continue in godly ways in spite of wicked people who say that there is no advantage to being holy or to following the Lord God, the Lord takes notice and writes it down in His Book. On the day that He settles accounts, everyone will see first hand the advantage of obedience.[1] This fits with the Lord’s statement to Moses that it would be a critical element on the day He settles accounts.[2]

In a messianic psalm, David predicted that those who rejected the One struck by God would find their guilt compounded and that they would not share in Yahweh’s righteousness. He prophesied that these rebels would be erased from the Book of Life and not be recorded among the righteous. Thus, we understand that those who do not appear in the Book of Life will not enter into heaven and that the pivotal issue is acceptance of the Messiah.[3]

David went so far as to say that all our days are written in the Book and planned before a single one begins.[4] Transcendent Ehyeh asher Ehyeh,[5] through His foreknowledge, is able to predict everything we do and apparently has the entire record already in the Book. This fits neatly into Christ’s statement that both the Kingdom and those who would inherit it were prepared “from the foundation of the world.”[6]

This does not mean that we are simply living out the stories God wrote in his Book of Life. We still have free will. Paul explained that within the immanent framework we have the choice of accepting Christ or not. Transcendent and timeless God, however, can look ahead and see who will make the right choice. Those that God foreknows will choose well are then predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son. Those who are predestined are called. As He knew they would, they respond obediently and are thus justified. Praise be the Lord, those who are thus justified will one day be gloried.[7] Small wonder that we call Him El Gadol Gibor Yare, the great, mighty and awesome God!

[1] Malachi 3:16-18 cp Matthew 25:34; Luke 12:4-5

[2] Exodus 32:34

[3] Psalm 69:24-28

[4] Psalm 139:14-17

[5] I will be because I will be; Exodus 3:14

[6] Matthew 25:34

[7] Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2,18-21

"'Winging It" from Stan Smith

Washed by the Water of the Word