God determines who will be saved

Moses wrote a historical narrative about God's deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. After the Israelites worshiped the golden calf and the Levites killed thousands of the idolaters, Moses identified himself with the people and asked that God spare them. God responded that He determines who is written in His book (presumably the book of life) not Moses. Then a plague broke out as a consequence of the people's sin.

Moses was very noble in identifying himself with the sinful Israelites. He had to intercede for them several times. This is like what Jesus did for us.

God makes the ultimate determination of who is saved and who is condemned. We can witness, pray, beg, and plead. But they have to make that decision for themselves. We cannot make the determination of who is saved based on outward actions (though we can usually tell by their fruits). Only God knows their hearts.

Created 4 months ago