Exodus 32

Exodus 32:1

D. An Outbreak of Idolatry (Chaps. 32, 33)1. The Golden Calf (32:1-10)Impatient at Moses’ delay in returning to them, the people asked Aaron to make an idol for them. He meekly complied by converting their golden earrings into a golden molded calf, an act that was expressly forbidden (Exo_20:4). Then they broke out in revelry, worshiping the idol and eating, drinking, and playing immorally. They professed to be worshiping the LORD (v. 5), but by means of the calf. God had blessed His people with gold when they left Egypt (Exo_12:35-36), but the blessing turned into a curse through the sinful hearts of the people. God informed Moses what was going on at the foot of the mountain (vv. 7, 8) and threatened to destroy this people (vv. 9, 10).

Exodus 32:11

2. The Intercession and Anger of Moses (32:11-35)32:11-13 In his reply, Moses stands out as one of the great intercessors of the Bible. Notice the strong arguments he uses: The people were the Lord’s people (vv. 11, 12). God had cared for them enough to deliver them from Egypt (v. 11). The Egyptians would gloat if God did to His people what the Egyptians had been unable to do (v. 12). God must be true to the covenants He made with the patriarchs (v. 13). 32:14 “So the LORD relented of the harm . . .” (v. 14). The word harm means punishment in this context. In response to the intercession of Moses, the Lord turned away from the punishment which He otherwise would have inflicted on His people. 32:15-20 Moses descended the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony, met Joshua on the way, and came to the people as they were carrying on their sensual, idolatrous feast. In righteous anger, he . . . broke the tablets of the law as a witness of what the people had already done. He then ground the golden calf . . . to powder, scattered it on the water and made the people drink it (v. 20)perhaps a suggestion that our sins return to us as a bitter potion. 32:21-24 When Moses asked Aaron what the people had done to deserve this treatment, Aaron explained to him what had happened, implying that the golden calf had come out of the fire rather mysteriously (v. 24). It was only because of the intercession of Moses that the Lord did not kill Aaron (Deu_9:19-20). 32:25-29 Some of the people were still carrying on without restraint. When Moses called for loyal followers, the tribe of Levi responded and proceeded to slay with the sword those who were “out of control” (NASB). Even close relatives were not spared (vv. 25-29). Here the broken law brought death to three thousand . . . people. At Pentecost the gospel of grace brought salvation to 3,000 people. The heroic loyalty of the Levites may be why theirs was chosen to be the priestly tribe (see v. 29). 32:30-35 Moses returned up the mountain to meet the LORD, thinking that he might make atonement for the people’s sin (vv. 30-32). The Lord’s answer was twofold: First, He would punish the people who made the calf (He did this by sending a plaguev. 35); second, He would send His Angel to go before Moses as he led the people to the Promised Land. The character of Moses shines out in verse 32he was willing to die for his people. “Blot me out of Your book” is a figurative way of saying “end my life.” God spared Moses but He did not spare His beloved Son. How like our Lord who died, the Just for the unjust!