“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” (Exodus 32:1)
Copyright CaptBlackEagle 2020
Moses had spent 40 days and nights on Mount Sinai. Before heading up the mountain God had spoken to them all. He gave them word for word the 10 Commandments that would result in a covenant between the children of Israel and God.
After just a few days of Moses heading up the mountain, the children of Israel’s incessant complaining convinced Aaron to make them an idol of gold.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:” (Exodus 32:7)
Just like when the parents leave their children at home, a party will ensue, and the house will be trashed. The children of Israel are having a party and breaking the commandments they promised to follow.
God, the father, is full of anger and tells Moses that he will consume them.
“Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” (Exodus 32:10)
Moses intercedes with God to save the children of Israel from certain destruction.
“Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.” (Exodus 32:12)
Abraham had interceded with God to save some of the people in Sodom. Now Moses has interceded to spare the lives of the righteous. This is a look to the future, Jesus.
Moses began to return from the mountain with the two tablets. As he came to Joshua, Joshua told Moses that it sounded like there was a war in camp. Moses dismissed it as singing.
When Moses saw the Golden Calf, the people dancing, and worshiping the idol, he was angry.
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.
And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.
And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.” (Exodus 32:26-28)
Moses went back up into the mountain to ask God for forgiveness of their great sin.
“Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin–; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.
Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.
And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” (Exodus 32:32-35)
Stay tuned for a short intermission…
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