Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy [them].
Ver. 23. Therefore he said that he would destroy them] Idolatry is a people desolating sin. God was once in a mind to have destroyed this people utterly, and to have left none but Moses, Exodus 32:10; Exodus 32:31, &c., promising him a great fortune if he would have suffered it; but he, tendering God's glory more than his own greatness, refused it: choice and excellent spirits use to do so.
Had not Moses his chosen] "Chosen" to represent Christ in his mediatorship.
Stood up in the breach] A metaphor from military matters. When a stronghold is besieged, and a breach made, valiant soldiers use to make up that breach with their own bodies, till the enemy be beaten back. God's wrath was even breaking in upon the people. Moses prayed instantly and constantly, even the most part of those forty days and nights he spent in the mount, Deuteronomy 9:9; Deuteronomy 9:11; Deuteronomy 9:18; Deuteronomy 9:25, and at length prevailed. See Ezekiel 13:5; Ezekiel 22:30 .