Exodus: The Lord and His PilgrimsSample

The great sin

Up to Exodus 32 we might say Paul’s words in Romans 4:15 applied: ‘where there is no law there is no transgression’. Clearly when Israel pledged total obedience (Ex. 19:8), their hearts were in the right place (cf. Deut. 5:28–29), but they had not faced up either to the law or to themselves! The incident of the golden calf brings home to them their situation as sinners (33:1–6).

The way the story is told fashions its own lessons: 

1. Impatience is a dangerous game (32:1)! A quiet spirit that waits confidently needs cultivation (cf. Ps. 130:5–8; Is. 40:31).  
2. Do not neglect the strength of fellowship (vv. 2–6). Ought not Aaron to have been aware of his own inadequacies as a leader? Moses seems to have been, since he appointed a team leadership in his absence (24:14). Why did Aaron not bring Hur into the equation?  
3. Our only recourse when faced with the wrath of God is to run to God (vv. 7–14). Divine wrath is easy to understand: turning to a false god is equivalent to identifying the true God with our falsity (v. 8). Imagine how, after all that they had seen, learned and experienced of Yahweh, they could look at the absurdity of a gold ‘thing’ and effectively say, ‘This is Yahweh’!! Is it any wonder he was outraged? But Yahweh will always be faithful to his work of redemption (v. 11) – Israel is still his redeemed; it was for them he descended to Egypt. He will always work for the honour of his own Name (v. 12), and keep the covenant promises he has made (v. 13). 
4. To break one commandment is to break the whole law (vv. 15–19; cf. Jas. 2:9–11).  
5. Turning to another god is ludicrously inexcusable (vv. 20–24) and inevitably leads to loose conduct (v. 25). 
6. The time when others are defecting is the time to stand up and be counted (vv. 26–32; cf. Rom. 9:1–3). 
7. Nothing diverts the Lord from his purpose of saving his people (vv. 34– 35). Notice the use of ‘Now’ in verse 34: now, in this day of sin and deserved wrath, the Promised Land is still Israel’s destination.

Reflection

Rejoice in our security in Christ (John 10:28– 29; 14:1–3; Eph. 2:4–6; Rev. 7:14–15).