Aaron was rebuked for his part in this idolatry, and though his heart was apparently not in it in the same way as the rest of the people, he was responsible because of his place of leadership.
As Moses had interceded for the people on the mountain, pleading the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, so here again he counted upon the faithfulness of God to preserve a remnant in grace. He knew that there were some who would be on the Lord’s side, and so he stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me” (ch. 32:26). The sons of Levi came forward at once and stood by Moses. They were all ready for action.
On the Lord’s Side
Let us pause here and think of the days in which we live. Surely they are days of eating, drinking, and dancing, just as it was in the camp of Israel. There is a similar call going forth now, urging those who are on the Lord’s side to take a definite stand. How can a true believer go on with the world and its ways? How can he have any part in its sinful pleasures? Our place is outside of it all with our great leader, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not hesitate or delay, but let us go forth to Him. Let us take our stand on His side and at His side before “this present evil world” (Gal. 1:44Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4)) in which we live.
This stand was followed by action — action of a very difficult kind to our cowardly natures. They were to take their swords and go in and out among the people. Every one of them was to kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor. They had said they were on the Lord’s side; now they were to prove it by action. Although great numbers profess Christianity today, sadly many of these go on hand in hand with the world. It was not so here. There were two definite classes: those who were on the Lord’s side, and those who were not. There was no middle ground. The sons of Levi were not “good mixers,” for they carried their swords and they were not wanted by their idolatrous brothers, friends and neighbors. Undoubtedly they were called “joy-killers,” but it mattered little to them what others thought since they were pleasing the Lord and obeying His command.
Faithfulness to God
And how can a Christian be a good mixer with the world? If he carries his “sword” (the Word of God) he will not be wanted any more than the sons of Levi. Let us notice the order in which they were told to use their swords: it was first on their brothers, then on their companions, and then on their neighbors. Have you and I used the sword as we should? Have we spoken the Word of the Lord faithfully to our relatives? Do we have any companions to whom we have never spoken about Christ and warned them of judgment to come? Have we kept back our swords from blood (Jeremiah 48:1010Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood. (Jeremiah 48:10)) in order to keep our friendship with them? And what about our neighbors? Have they heard the way of salvation from us? These are searching questions for each one of us, aren’t they? but necessary indeed for those who profess to be on the Lord’s side. May we be more faithful and use the “sword of the Spirit” (Eph. 6:1717And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)) more often for God’s glory and the blessing of others! What is greatly needed today is devotedness to Christ, and surely He is worthy of our all.
Further Meditation
1. What does it mean to use the sword?
3. J. G. Bellett often refers to the need to be faithful in the presentation of the Word to others. He presents the matter with a sweet firmness in many of his writings. His The Evangelists (a commentary on the four gospels) is rather long and contains many other themes but would be very worthwhile reading. It will leave you with a warm affection for the moral glory of the Christ who never compromised love or holiness in His interaction with others.