Exodus 32 Commentary
We all have been busy with Moses up on Mount Sinai receiving instructions and architectural drawings for the Tabernacle. What we don’t know is that down the valley things are happening.
Of course, we have been here 40 days! The people think we have taken too long on the mountain—the same fiery mountain covered in smoke and fire. So the people pressured Aaron to make a god for them. A golden calf was made as Israel’s new god. Israel has even started to worship this new god, and Aaron is even performing priestly functions for it!
We have yet to see the extent of the fall for ourselves, but the LORD God knows. He knew it before it happened! But what is God’s response in real time?
It is easy to guess. Clear out the rot and move on with another more serious team. This sentence is communicated to the people’s leader – Moses. And now Moses must respond and do so quickly.
Intersession is made and the people survive. At this moment, it appears Moses is more merciful than the LORD God. But that isn’t true. The LORD wants Moses to think and act like God’s son – a son made in the image of the merciful Father. So through Moses, we see the mercies of the LORD. Moses is a true son of his Father!
This chapter gives us more questions than answers.
What role does Aaron play in Israel’s idolatry? They easily break the first and most important commandment! Are there lessons for the saint?
God’s decision to “clean house” is another subject for discussion. Wasn’t there another option?
“Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.” Verse 1. Ignorance and doubt are open doors for mischief. Idolatry is the right word! The punishment is always death. But the gift of Jesus is everlasting life – a gift reachable and available to all who care enough.
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