An interviewer asked Billy Graham, ″What do you want people to say about you when you're gone?″ He responded by saying, ″I don't want people to say anything about me. I want them to talk about my Saviour. The only thing I want to hear is Jesus saying, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.' But I'm not sure I'm going to hear that.″

In contrast to Graham's humility, we often encounter Christians who present their achievements as the result of having earned God's favour, and something that merits others' esteem. The Israelites, too, could do so. In those days, people viewed victory in battle as a reward for righteousness by the gods. But Moses says twice that their victories would not be ″because of [their] righteousness″ (Deuteronomy 9:5-6).

The Israelites had no grounds for thinking they were a superior race. Their victories would be ″on account of the wickedness of [the] nations″, and in fulfilment of the promise made to their ″fathers″ (vv. 4-5). Moreover, Moses calls them ″stiff-necked″ (v. 6), or stubborn, like an ox that refuses to turn its head when commanded. Christians who are honest with themselves would always acknowledge that they have no grounds for boasting.

Arrogance can open the door to a major fall. When we trust in our achievements or efforts, we block grace from our lives and would have no strength to overcome temptation. The golden calf episode (vv. 11-20) is an example of this. We are told seven times in this chapter that this sin ″aroused the anger of the Lord″ (v. 7, etc.). Though some may avoid talking about God's wrath as part of His nature, we need to recognise that God's anger is a frequent theme in both Old and New Testaments. Without a proper understanding of God's wrath, we would not know how to have a healthy fear of God, which is essential for healthy Christian living and worship.

Moses is a refreshing contrast to the people's disobedience. He pleads with God on the Israelites' behalf after God tells him, ″Let me alone″. God threatens to ″destroy them″ and ″make [Moses] into a nation stronger and more numerous than they″ (v. 14). What a great honour that would be! But Moses rejects it and even suggests that he be blotted out instead of the Israelites (Exodus 32:32). He intercedes for the people, falling ″prostrate before the Lord″ (Deuteronomy 9:18) in humility and earnestness. Often, when we think of solutions to problems, the importance of our actions is overrated, while the importance of pleading with God in prayer is underrated. Moses shows us the importance of prayer. And his intercession served to change things (see Exodus 32:14).

It is a mystery how the sovereign God would change His course of action in response to the prayers of righteous people. But that is the way He has chosen to work. And we have the great privilege of influencing the course of history through our prayers.