The passage shows a specific point in history when God intended judgment for the people whereas Moses desired non-judgment.  This can in no logical way lead us to conclude that God is less merciful or less loving than Moses in character (which appears to me to be the strongest 'end' the argument can hope to reach).

An analogy would be of a father who, after putting up with a very rebellious youngster for a long time, finally decides to punish the brat.  However, his older son pleads that his father show restraint and grant the younger son another chance, a petition which the father - in his great love and respect for the older boy - honours by reversing his intended punishment.

It should be obvious that the question of "Who was more loving?" (the father or the big brother) doesn't even enter the picture.  The real issue is, "How does the father balance the need to discipline/punish the younger kid with the intense respect he has for the wishes of his older son?"

God would've been acting in perfect accordance with His wisdom and love to initiate the judgment upon Israel.  As community-leader and provider (of moral health and truth as well as physical needs), God is responsible to execute judgment, instil (often painful) discipline, deal with the 'direction' Israel's heart is taking, handle how the present behaviour of Israel's adults will affect Israel's children, and (perhaps) much more.

Thus even if God HAD carried out His judgment IN SPITE of Moses' requests (which we have already shown in Part 1 need not compel God to act in a certain way), we would be in no position to criticise His action.

But remember:  God has chosen to balance this responsibility with the passionate requests of His loved-ones which He cherishes intensely!

That He reversed His decision reflects not a defect in His original intentions, but a deep respect for Moses' desires.  He aborted His wrath not because He was any less merciful, but because in His wisdom and love for Moses He decided that the change in decision would be a worthy response to Moses' plea (which, I must insist, would've been a welcomed surprise to God, or at least a surprise worth honoring).

This second argument, then, suffers from a simplistic view of judgment vis-a-vis mercy, plus a deep misunderstanding of the character of God and the responsibilities and desires He needs to fulfil/balance.

(Additional counter-responses could include the notion if we understand the absolute necessity of judgment in a Moral Universe like ours, then Argument 2 effectively dissolves - for surely God is not obliged to 'defend' His All-Loving nature by honouring all requests to delay judgment).
 

So, in conclusion to this journey back into Scriptural time...

Based on what we've examined regarding Exodus 32:11-14, I submit that it would be correct to say that God truly changed in His mind in response to Moses' petition.  This view not only affirms what the text clearly says but also fits very well with our understanding of God as Intense Lover loving us and granting us the awesome capacity to impact His very big and powerful heart...
 

AL,
Nov Y2K