Moses Glimpses God

Exodus 34:1-9

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest.  And be ready in the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me in the top of the mount.  And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.” (Exodus 34:1-3) 

God had originally prepared the two tables or tablets of stone the law was written on.   In anger and frustration Moses broke them when he finally realized how badly the people were behaving.  Though his anger was justifiable, it had resulted in destroying what God had done.  James 1:20 warns, “For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”  Though God would rewrite the Law, Moses would have to prepare the tablets himself.

Over the years I have seen a lot of drunkards and people involved in other sins come to Christ.  Many of them were miraculously freed from their dependence, never taking another drink.  A few went several years, with no real temptation, but becoming upset about something, went back to their old sin.  God didn’t instantly deliver them a second time, and some have never gotten the victory again.  If we don’t appreciate what God has done for us and waste or destroy it, he may make us work harder for it the second time so we will appreciate it more.

This time Moses was not to bring even Joshua with him and the entire congregation was to stay even farther away than they had been before.  Offenses cause separation and distrust in relationships even when they have been forgiven, including our relationship with God.  Repentance has to be demonstrated by action, not just saying “I’m sorry“, and until it has, the former closeness will not be restored.

“And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand the two tables of stone. 


And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD.  And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” (Exodus 34:4-7) 

After carving out the two tables of stone, Moses returned to the top of the mountain to meet the Lord, and God fulfilled his promise to reveal himself more fully to Moses, starting with his name as a personal thing.  Mercy is not treating people exactly as they deserve when they have done badly.  God is merciful, forgiving even deliberate sin and known disobedience as well as unintentional ones.  He is long suffering, warning the people about their sin and being sure they understand what they are doing.  At the same time, he is not like some negligent parent who just yells at their kids to stop, but insists that the consequences of sin be faced even though it affects several generations if they persist in it.

“And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.  And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.” (Exodus 34:8-9)

When he saw just a small vision of what God is really like Moses realized just how sinful he and the nation of Israel were.  When Isaiah describes his feelings after a vision of God in Isaiah 6:5.  “Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, Jehovah of hosts.”  Daniel describes his reaction in Daniel 10:8.  “So I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me; for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.”  Similar experiences were recorded by numerous other prophets and saints in both the Old and New Testaments, including both John and Paul.

Like each of the others who saw God, Moses found himself asking forgiveness for himself and for his people. Really meeting God is a humiliating experience, making us aware of just how sinful we are.  As a Pastor friend once said, “It isn’t necessary to cry to be saved, but I kind of wonder if anyone who doesn’t seem to want to cry really got saved.”  

Wanting To See God

Exodus 33:18-23

“And he said, I beseech thee, show me thy glory.” (Exodus 33:18)

Experts tell us that sixty to eighty percent of communication is from non verbal communication, including voice tones, body language and odors.  Because communication involves so much more than just words, talking on the telephone to my daughter is less satisfying than seeing her face to face.  Texting or writing eliminates every part of communication but the words themselves.   We are unable to get a real picture of what people are thinking.

Moses talked to God face to face , but the experience was still like calling a close friend on the phone.  He craved that personal face to face contact, and asked to see God physically.

“And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.  And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.” (Exodus 33:19-20) 

God responded that while he would reveal himself to Moses or anyone else in his mercy and grace, even being so personal as to allow them to know and use his name, but to actually see him would be fatal.  To avoid damaging one’s eyes while viewing a solar eclipse it is necessary to project the image onto a screen rather than viewing it directly.  The intensity of God’s glory would destroy a man, if viewed directly.  As a result, John 1:18 tells us, “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”  Paul tells us, “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption,” in I Corinthians 15:50.  Our natural body cannot handle exposure to God’s holiness.

In Numbers 12:6, God said, “…Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.”  Many today claim to have seen God, but in reality what they saw was just a vision.  In Ezekiel 1:1, Ezekiel tells us “Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.”

Even that vision had a very unsettling impact on Ezekiel according to Ezekiel 1:28.  “…This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face…”  Isaiah Jeremiah and Daniel all described similar levels of awareness of sin from the visions they saw, as did John in Revelation.  Any vision of God that doesn’t result in a similar sense of humility and awe is highly suspect.

“And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.” (Exodus 33:21-23)

In order to limit Moses’ exposure to the glory of God to safe level, God would place him in a cleft or crack in the rocks and cover him with his hand, only allowing him to see a partially obscured view.  Even that slight exposure would have a tremendous effect on Moses’ both physically and spiritually, and could not be experienced without preparation.

When we are having trouble seeing God in our lives, it is because he is protecting us from our sinful state.  To fully recognize his holiness in comparison to our sinfulness would destroy us.  He will only allow us to see as much as we can handle, and sometimes our sin makes that a very small amount.

Moses’ Relationship With God

Exodus 33:7-17

Exodus 33:7-11 are parenthetical verses, to help us understand the relationship Moses had with God.  The actual events described would not occur until after completion of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40.  Understanding this relationship gives insight into why he was chosen to lead Israel.

“And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the LORD went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.”(Exodus 33:7)

Religion is a person’s basic core value system, whether it is called Islam, or Buddhist, Catholic, Baptist, or Atheist.  Throughout history, people have tried to impose their religion on others.  Many have become Catholic or Moslem in name, while not really changing their basic beliefs.  People who say they don’t allow their religion to affect their decisions are mistakenly referring to the accepted values of their nominal religion rather than their real beliefs.

The Jews had a history of believing in God dating back over six hundred years to Abraham. In addition they had seen God’s working in their own lives to deliver them from slavery in Egypt and meet their needs for the previous six months or so.  When the Tabernacle was completed, it provided a point of reference for their beliefs, quickly becoming the center of Jewish life, even when located outside the camp.

“And it came to pass, when Moses went out unto the tabernacle, that all the people rose up, and stood every man at his tent door, and looked after Moses, until he was gone into the tabernacle.  And it came to pass, as Moses entered into the tabernacle, the cloudy pillar descended, and stood at the door of the tabernacle, and the LORD talked with Moses.  And all the people saw the cloudy pillar stand at the tabernacle door: and all the people rose up and worshipped, every man in his tent door.” (Exodus 33:8-10) 

After confronting Pharaoh, then leading Israel out of Egypt, Moses was definitely a celebrity, and everything he did was as closely observed as the actions of celebrities and political leaders are today.   The people were especially aware when he went to the Tabernacle.

From the time they left Egypt, the pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night had shown them where God wanted them to go.  When the people saw the pillar come down on the tabernacle when Moses entered it they were reassured of Moses’ relationship with God, and that they were where they were supposed to be.  Many leaders resent such close scrutiny, not understanding people’s need for assurance that one is still focused on the job at hand and thus will not lead them into trouble.   When they were sure of God’s leadership in Moses’ life the people worshipped God, and people today are no different.

“And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.” (Exodus 33:11) 

Moses’ relationship with God was far more than mere religious activity.  Many people have work friends, but they have a smaller group of close friends who they spend their free time with.  Of that smaller group there may be one or two best friends they can share everything with.  Many people don’t have even one person they feel that close to.   Moses’ relationship with God was like that of a best friend.  Joshua, who would eventually replace Moses as leader was developing a similar relationship.

The requirements for church leaders described in I Timothy 3:1-12 and Titus 1:7-9 describe the attitudes characteristic of men with a similar relationship with God.  Without developing a similar closeness to God themselves, they will be unable to consistently lead the people properly.

“And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.  Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, show me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.” (Exodus 33:12-13) 

Even though he had such a close personal relationship with God, Moses had times of doubt and felt the need for human support.  In addition he was troubled about the lack of a clear understanding of his goals.  Most of us hesitate to step out without a clear destination like Abraham did according to Hebrews 11:8.  “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.”  It seems easier to trust when we know the details.

“And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

God’s answer was that he would go with him and Moses was to just trust God.  Too often we spend our time making sure everything is in place because we don’t trust God.  Hundreds of people who said God called them to the mission field have not gone because they were unable to raise as much support as they thought they needed, and hundreds of churches have not been built because they couldn’t raise the funds.  While counting the cost is definitely a scriptural principle, we definitely have to live by faith, because “whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” according to Romans 14:23.

“And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.  For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.” (Exodus 33:15-16) 

We are often told there is a fine line between faith and foolishness.  Actually it is a pretty clear delineation.  Are we actually being directed by God or by our own or others opinions and desires.  Some of the missionaries who didn’t go were not impelled of God and the church buildings that ran into financial problems were the result of man’s not following God’s plan either in building the church at all, or in how they attempted to do it.  Many times our efforts to finance the church are based on worldly principles rather than faith.  Sometimes we start in faith then change to human wisdom and lose God’s blessing.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.” (Exodus 33:17)

Before sending Moses to lead Israel out, God had revealed himself as Moses friend by sharing his name Jehovah with him.  Now God reveals his friendship, saying I know the by name.  It is that closeness that is the basis for God’s being willing to commit to going with him.  Giving others the right to use our personal names and using theirs is a mark of personal respect and trust, whereas titles indicate mere obligatory respect.  

God’s Forgiveness

Exodus 32:30-33:6

“And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.” (Exodus 32:30) 

Having spent forty days learning what God required, and months seeing his power revealed, Moses had every reason for concern.  Israel had knowingly and deliberately violated their contract with God.  He had no assurance that God would forgive such gross iniquity, even after those most deeply involved were killed, but he was going to try to straighten things out.  Perhaps some concessions or gifts could be used to mollify God.

“And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.” (Exodus 32:31-32) 

Moses went apologetically to the Lord, acknowledging that their sin had been very offensive, even to the point of telling God all he had done for them was worthless, crediting it to some gold idol they had made.  Moses recognized God had every right to be angry, but if God was unable to forgive their sin, then there was no reason for Moses to go on either.   It demonstrates a concern for his people that many leaders today lack.

Many today who want forgiveness today downplay their sin as only a small thing that shouldn’t be taken seriously, rather than considering the impact on the person who was offended.   Even when the recognize it as a serious offense they try to avoid responsibility by making various excuses.  Moses simply stated that it was a serious violation of God’s agreement and made no excuses for them.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.  Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.  And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.” (Exodus 32:33-35)

This is the first place where the book of life has been mentioned.   Revelation 20:15 states, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”  Here sin is clearly given as the reason for having ones name removed from the book of life.  The consequence is to be cast into the lake of fire forever.  God was very specific that he was going to hold the individual accountable for his own sin.  The guilt would not be laid on the leader.  According to John 3:18-19, the sin that causes our name to be erased or blotted out is refusing to place our faith in Jesus Christ.  “He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

God forgave their sin, and sent his angel to accompany them into the land as he had promised.  Nevertheless, their sin changed the relationship with God.  He plagued them because of the golden calf.   Forgiveness means one is given a second chance.  It does not erase the consequences of sin.  Just as being forgiven for murder does not restore the victim to life, being forgiven for adultery does not take away the hurt and damage done to the marriage.  The very concept of a second chance implies one is on probation.  The probation will only be ended when one has demonstrated their commitment not to re-offend.  This is the type of forgiveness we are able to give.

The forgiveness offered in Christ goes beyond mere human forgiveness.  He not only gives us another chance, he also paid for our sin in full, eliminating the records of that sin or any future consequences for it.   He is not going to provide that type of forgiveness to one who does not take their sin seriously, or refuses to take responsibility.  Many people are like the little boy who pinched his baby brother, then said “I’m sorry.”  He got quite upset when his uncle spanked him because “I said I’m sorry and your not supposed to spank me when I say I’m sorry.”  As the uncle said, he was lying when he said it.  He was only sorry he got spanked.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Depart, and go up hence, thou and the people which thou hast brought up out of the land of Egypt, unto the land which I sware unto Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, Unto thy seed will I give it: And I will send an angel before thee; and I will drive out the Canaanite, the Amorite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite: Unto a land flowing with milk and honey: for I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way.” (Exodus 33:1-3) 

God would still keep his promises to Israel, sending his angel before them and giving them the land he had promised.  Because of their sin he would remain separate from them.  Just as a grandparent overlooks things from his grandchildren he would never have overlooked with his children because he doesn’t have to put up with it all the time, God would be able to overlook sin because he was not constantly confronted with it.  God didn’t want to become the grouch who was always just looking for an excuse to punish them.

“And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments.  For the LORD had said unto Moses, Say unto the children of Israel, Ye are a stiffnecked people: I will come up into the midst of thee in a moment, and consume thee: therefore now put off thy ornaments from thee, that I may know what to do unto thee.  And the children of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments by the mount Horeb.” (Exodus 33:4-6)

To put on their jewelry would be like a teenager dressing for a party in defiance of his folks.

Moses Deals With The Sin

Exodus 32:15-29

“And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.  And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.” (Exodus 32:15-16)

For forty days, Moses had been on the mountain top with Joshua, communicating with God and learning how to please him.  After months of dealing with the constant complaining about the food, the water, the way the Egyptians treated them, the fear of Pharaoh, etc., besides the interpersonal conflicts in such a large group, it must have been a relief to just get away.  When God sent them down the mountain because o what the Israelites were doing. They were carrying the tables of stone God had prepared for them.

“And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp. 


And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.” (Exodus 32:17-18) 

As they came down from the mountain, they could hear a lot of loud noise.  A new parent may hear a baby cry and rush to it’s rescue in panic while a more experienced parent recognizes the cry as being of anger or desiring attention and is far less upset.  Joshua had little experience leading, and upon hearing the commotion, remembered what it had been like when the Amalekites attacked and assumed Israel was under attack again.  Forty years of herding sheep had taught Moses to listen more closely to what was going on, and he recognized the noises of a loud party.

“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.  And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strowed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.” (Exodus 32:19-20)

Up on the mountain it had been easy to assume God was over reacting to what was happening.  When he saw the drunken orgy the people were having Moses lost his own temper, throwing the tables of stone violently to the ground  and breaking them.  He melted down the golden calf, ground up the resulting blobs of gold, and scattered it across the water, then made the people drink the water, to make it clear that since the calf couldn’t even protect itself from him, it wasn’t much of a god and couldn’t have been the one that delivered them from Egypt.

“And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?” (Exodus 32:21) 

Aaron had been with Moses when he met with God before, and Moses had left him in charge.  He couldn’t believe his own brother would willingly go along with such things.  Surely they had forced him against his will.

“And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.  For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.  And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.” (Exodus 32:22-24) 

Like Adam and Eve, long before, Aaron blamed it on someone else.  The people were determined to do wrong so he had just done what they wanted to keep from causing trouble.  He’d told them to bring their gold, and when he threw it into the fire the calf came out.  Some how, he neglected to mention making a crucible, and molds and the engraving of the finished casting.   It just miraculously became a calf, all by itself.  It wasn’t his fault things got out of hand.  

“And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)  Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.  And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.” (Exodus 32:25-27)

Before Moses went up the mountain God had told them, “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” in Exodus 20:14.  While on the mountain, God had made it clear that sexual sin was to be punished by execution of both parties in cases of consensual involving a married or engaged person, and the execution of the man in cases of rape.  Moses’ order to execute the guilty was just fulfilling God’s command.

The orgy had been Aaron’s idea.  The people had just done what he told them in this case.  However, God had warned them they were not to just go along with things that were wrong in Exodus 23:2.  “Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment.”  God holds the individual accountable for his own actions.  That the one in charge told them to, or that everyone else was doing it did not absolve them of responsibility.

They could not claim ignorance because in Exodus 24:7 they had agreed to these things.  “And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient.”  They deserved the punishment they received.

“And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men.  For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.” (Exodus 32:28-29) 

Three thousand men were executed for their participation in the orgy.  Consecration or sanctification means setting apart for a special use.  Just as one separates his eating utensils and would insist they be cleansed after being used to change a baby’s diaper before eating off them, sin has to be removed before people can be acceptable to serve God.   Stolen items can be returned or replaced, but sexual sin or murder cannot be undone or fixed.

God’s Anger Toward Israel

Exodus 32:7-14

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:7-8)

God was fully aware of what was happening in Israel’s camp.  He knew that they had broken the covenant they had just made, and that they were crediting their deliverance from Israel to another god, the golden calf, rather than to the one who actually delivered them.  It is pretty offensive to see one’s efforts disparaged and the credit deliberately assigned to someone who wasn’t even present by those who know the truth, and God was offended.

The original meaning of the word plagiary or plagiarism was to kidnap, to steal something from another.  In modern English the meaning is to steal the credit for another’s work.  It is considered a crime in modern law.   The Greek word translated blasphemy incorporated the modern meanings of defamation, libel and plagariasm.   By knowingly crediting someone else with what God had done, the Jews were blaspheming him.  It is the same sin as that of the person who says, “God has never done anything for me.”

“And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.” (Exodus 32:9-10)

God was so angered by the rejection of everything he had done, crediting it all to some  inanimate golden calf, that he told Moses to get out of the way so he could destroy them without hurting Moses.  He promised to start over with Moses’ family.

Blasphemy is a serious sin, and Matthew 12:31-32 warns, “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”  Rejecting the Holy Spirit’s work, specifically in drawing us to Christ, will never be forgiven.

“And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?  Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.  Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.” (Exodus 32:11-13)

God had ample provocation and every right to destroy Israel for their sin and rejection.  As Moses pointed out, however, destroying Israel would cause the Egyptians to believe God could not be trusted and would break his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob by destroying their descendants.

God is the all knowing one, and is perfect and holy.  While he knew what they were going to do, it is hard for God to understand human thinking.   Moses was  like other men and as a result he could understand how people could fall into sin due to their lack of understanding and sinful nature in a way God could not.  He could understand how humans would perceive God’s actions in a way God would not.  As a result, he interceded for the nation of Israel.

Because he is a just God, recognizes the difference in perception, and does not wish to judge unfairly,  God has selected men to intercede for those who sin according to Hebrews 5:1-2.  “For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.”  It is what makes Christ’s being both human and God so critical as he can represent both perspectives fairly.  Until Christ came, there was no one who could adequately understand both sides.

“And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” (Exodus 32:14) 

A common misconception today is that to repent means to be sorry.  In fact, the Greek word means to change directions, to act differently.  One can express sorrow repeatedly, but until he begins to change his actions, he has not repented.  God changed what he was going to do, because Moses intervened.   While we do not change God’s nature or standards, we may change his actions by our intervention on another’s behalf.

The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-6

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.” (Exodus 32:1)

The people had been terrified when God spoke to them in Exodus 20:18-19.  "And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off.  And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”  They had chosen not to have direct communication because of their fear.

They readily agreed to follow the commands God gave in Exodus 19:7-8.  “And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him.  And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.”  

God then gave them the commandment in Exodus 20:2-6.  “I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”

Watching nature movies it is astounding how panic stricken a herd of animals will be when attacked by a pride of lions, yet within minutes of a kill being made, they are relaxed and grazing as if nothing happened.  Israel’s behavior was very similar.  Less than forty days after being so frightened and agreeing to God‘s command, they were asking Aaron to make them another God because Moses hadn’t come back down to them.   People today are no different.

“And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.  And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.  And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 32:2-4)

Aaron had been one of the priests who went up to meet with God face to face, and had been left in charge until Moses returned.  He knew exactly what they were to do, yet when the asked to make gods for them, he complied with their wishes.  Asking them to donate gold for their idols, he built the necessary molds and crucibles and a forge or furnace for melting the metal and cast a gold calf.  He finished it by engraving the fine details.  Having done a little metal casting, I know it was a major project.

Despite having seen all God’s workings for over four months, destroying the Egyptian army and crossing the Red Sea and hearing his voice on the mountain, the people then announced that the golden calf and Aaron were the ones who brought them out of Egypt.  What an insult to God!

“And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.” (Exodus 32:5) 

Flattered, Aaron declared the following day as holiday to worship their new God.  This was the man God had chosen to be his high priest encouraging their disobedience!  It is a warning not to depend on even the best men to always lead us properly.

“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.” (Exodus 32:6) 

Even while God was meeting with Moses to explain the details of their covenant with God, Israel was breaking the covenant, worshipping another god, dancing around naked in lewd sexual fashion, as we see in verse 25, at Aaron’s suggestion.  They went far beyond the moral restraints they would normally have observed to worship this false God.  Caught up emotionally in a false religion, people often do things they would not even consider in normal life.