CSSA 1-1-21 - THE GOLDEN CALF

שפה Hebrew

21. THE GOLDEN CALF

"They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image"

Aim

To show that those who disobey God's Law must be punished.

God had brought the people of Israel out of Egypt to Mount Sinai. He had called them to be a "holy" nation to Himself (Deut. 28:9-10) and had given them commandments which taught that God must have first place in their lives. The people willingly agreed to obey (Ex. 24:7). It was not long, however, before they forgot their promise and broke the first two commandments.

Exodus 32

MOSES IN THE MOUNT FOR FORTY DAYS: Ex 24:12-18

Altogether, Moses went up into Mount Sinai seven times. Even before God announced the ten commandments, Moses had gone up and returned from Mount Sinai three times. Afterwards, he went up another four times to worship, and hear God's laws proclaimed. On the fifth time he went up to the top of the mountain and received the two tables of stone on which were the ten commandments written by "the finger of God" and was given the plans for building the Tabernacle. Leaving Aaron and Hur in charge of the camp (v. 14), and taking Joshua with him, at least part of the way (v. 13), he ascended the mountain and remained there for forty days and forty nights.

While Moses was away, the people grew tired of waiting for him and rebelled against their God.

THE PEOPLE MAKE AN IDOL AND WORSHIP IT: Exodus 32:1-6

The people began to think that Moses would never return. It was nearly six weeks since they had seen him go up into the cloud-covered mountain. They began once more to think about Egypt and remember the things they had done there. How foolish they were to think such thoughts, when only a few weeks earlier they had promised to love God only and keep all His commandments. They came to Aaron and said, "Make us gods which shall go before us" (v. 1). How tragic that they had forgotten so soon that Yahweh, the only true God, had shown His great power against the Egyptians and proved that their gods were useless.

They gathered up their golden earrings and brought them to Aaron, who put them all in the fire and melted them down and - "there came out this calf." (v. 24). The people were very satisfied with a god they could see, but they had broken the first commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me" (Ex. 20:3). They had also broken the second commandment: "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image" (Ex. 20:4).

Aaron proclaimed a feast and they rose up early the next morning and offered sacrifices "and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play" (v. 6).

MOSES RETURNS TO THE CAMP: Exodus 32:7-35

God looked down from heaven and saw what the people were doing. He was very angry and told Moses to go down quickly and He would destroy this wicked people, and make a new nation out of Moses. Desperately Moses pleaded for Israel and God heard him and agreed not to do as He had threatened. So Moses went down carrying the two precious tables of God's ten commandments. Faithful Joshua was still waiting for him, and together they continued down the mountain. As they neared the Camp, they could hear the noise of shouting. Joshua became fearful for Israel's safety. He thought that they must have been attacked by enemies. But Moses knew that it was not the noise of war - it was the noise of singing and dancing.

Imagine their amazement and anger when they saw before their eyes such a scene of wickedness. In great anger Moses threw down the tables of stone before the people and broke them to pieces.

Moses then faced Aaron, who had been left to care for the people. Aaron blamed the people, but God was angry with everyone who took part in the wickedness. Finally, because wrong doing must be stopped, Moses left the people and stood in the gate of the camp and called out: € Who is on Yahweh € s side? € (v26).

Quickly, the tribe of Levi answered his call. At Moses € command they took their swords and destroyed 3,000 of the wicked people who had turned away from God. The golden calf was burned by fire and ground into powder, and then thrown into the water and the people were made to drink it. As well as those who died by the sword, many people died from a plague sent by God as punishment. It was a tragic loss for Israel, but contained a great lesson.

LESSON FOR US

A promise given must be kept. The children of Israel had promised to love and serve God alone. They did not keep this promise, and were punished.

We must learn to keep the promises we make, no matter how small, whether at home or at work. Keeping promises is a good habit to get into when we are young, for when we grow older, there is a solemn promise to God that He wants us to keep, that we will love and serve Him all the days of our lives.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Consider the wonderful character of Moses shown in this lesson. He had been trained by God as a shepherd for forty years and now he was showing the qualities of a true shepherd, who is prepared to € give his life for his sheep € . God said He would destroy this rebellious people in a moment, and raise up a faithful nation from Moses. But Moses pleaded strongly for their forgiveness. He was willing to have his name blotted out from the Book of Life if only God would forgive them (Ex. 32:32). God showed him, however, that the one who sins must be punished, as in Col. 3:23-25: € He that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done, and there is no respect of persons".

QUESTIONS

Short Answers

Whom did Moses leave in charge of the people when he went up to the top of the mountain?
Whom did Moses take with him into the mountain?
How long was Moses in the mountain?
What had Moses gone into the mountain to receive?
What did the people do when Moses was away in the mountain?
What two commandments did the people break when Moses was away in the mountain?
What did Moses do in anger, when he saw the wickedness of the people?
What do we learn from this lesson?