A Very Great Sin Exodus 32
WHILE Moses was on Mt. Sinai the people did a sad and dreadful sin: they asked Aaron to make an idol to lead them on the journey! Instead of telling them no idol could lead them, Aaron told them to bring their gold earrings, which he melted and shaped into a golden calf. The people sacrificed animals before it; they feasted, and danced, and sang, saying, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of Egypt!” What foolish, untrue words!
They had seen God’s power all the way; freeing them from the king; keeping the wonderful cloud over them day and night; giving all the great company food from heaven; and had heard His voice front the mount when He said they should make no images; and they had said, “All the Lord says we will do.” Yet they did not obey Him! (Deut. 4:10-14).
The Lord knew what they were doing, and told Moses and Joshua to go down to them. Moses carried the two stone tablets which the Lord had written on. When he heard the shouting and saw the gold calf, he was so grieved at the sin, which showed God’s words were already despised, that he threw down the stones and they were broken.
He came to the gate of the camp; talked to Aaron; and called, “Who is on the Lords side?” That all who were sorry should come to him. Aaron must have been one who was sorry, as we read that all the sons of Levi came, and Aaron was of that family. Then Moses melted the gold calf, ground the gold, and cast the dust into the water, and many were punished.
The next day Moses went again up Mt. Sinai, and begged the Lord to forgive the people the great sin. The Lord did forgive them, and said He would still lead them on the journey (Deut. 9:8-22; Psalm 106:19-24).
“My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” Exo. 33:14.
ML 06/06/1937