Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin. The mission continues: lead the people, the angel goes before. But the sin is deferred, not cancelled. Hebrews 10:3–4 says animal sacrifices are a reminder of sins year after year because the blood of bulls and goats cannot take away sins. The deferred judgment of Exodus 32:34 is what annual atonement covers until Christ removes it permanently. Forgiveness deferred through the covenant's sacrificial economy awaits the one sacrifice that is not deferred.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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