31 And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin—; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Moses shows us an excellent example of leadership and responsibility. He was not down in the valley committing idolatry, but he still says that if the people are to be blotted out, may he be blotted out as well. As their leader, Moses is prepared to accept the same punishment as his people.

As members of humanity, our consequences are overlapped with those that surround us. Whatever society decides to do, even if we personally abstain from it, we all experience many of the same repercussions. We are a part of them and share in their lot. This effect is enhanced even further when we are a leader in that society.

Moving on, Moses also provides an excellent example of repentance in these verses. He makes absolutely no attempt to minimize or justify the seriousness of what has happened. It was wrong, and greatly so, and he admits it. Second, he appeals to God’s mercy, but he also accepts God’s judgment. He knows that God’s punishment is justified, but also that His mercy is possible.