September 2001
Exodus Chapter 32
In our last review of the Bible's history (covering Exodus chapters 27-31), it was noted the great detail that God provided to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle. God's meticulous instructions were to be followed in all aspects.
The tabernacle had to be constructed with specific materials, specific lengths, and contain very specific furniture and other items for the worship. Inside the large tabernacle, was a smaller tent which was the Most Holy place. It housed the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat, and was the most religious altar where God would appear above the Mercy Seat to speak directly to the priests who entered into the dark place.
God also provided great detail for the clothing items to be worn by Aaron and the other priests when they went into the Tabernacle and the Most Holy Place for the worship and sacrifices. For a reading of all the intricate details read Exodus chapters 25-31, 35-40.
Many people pay little attention to the intricate detail of the Tabernacle and the Most Holy Place; but its detail is very significant in the role it would play many years later on the Cross when the human sacrifice Jesus made for His chosen people. The sacrifice on the Cross fulfilled the exact letter of the law, and the symbolism between the sacrifices and worship in Most Holy Place and the Cross is consistent and plays a great role in displaying the satisfaction that the requirement of law were fully met.
At the close of the 31't chapter of the book of Exodus, God gave to Moses the two tablets of stone, inscribed by the "finger of God" with the Lord's testimony.
While these greatly significant events were taking place up on Mt. Sinai between God and Moses, the Israelite people were growing restless in Moses' extended absence. The people gathered and confronted Moses' brother Aaron, desiring to have made for them an idol that they could worship. Exodus 32:1. They expressed unhappiness at Moses' extended absence.
In order to appease the people, Aaron directed them to bring to him their gold earrings and other jewelry. Aaron melted the jewelry down to make a golden calf for the people to worship. The people immediately began making offerings at the altar before the golden calf idol. Exodus 32:6.
The Lord saw the people worshiping the new golden calf idol, and sent Moses back down the mountain to be with his people. The Lord told Moses that the people whom he had lead out of Egypt, had now "corrupted themselves." The Israelites were worshiping the golden calf. This mad the Lord mad and he prepared to take out his wrath. Exodus 32:10. But Moses intervened in behalf of the Israelites and the Lord "repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people." Exodus 32:14.
Moses, carrying the stone tablets given to him by God, reached the people and heard the noise of people singing and cheering as the people were violating the very commandment God had early provided for them.
When Moses saw the people dancing and worshiping the calf, he became very angry, and threw down the stone tablets, breaking them into pieces.
Moses took the calf and melted it down and made powder of it, then threw the powder into the water and made the children drink from the water.
Moses confronted Aaron, but Aaron responded that he was merely keeping the people happy. Many people died for this breaking of the Lord's commandment of not worshiping idols. Exodus 32:27.
Moses returned to the presence of the Lord and again appealed in behalf of the people, asking the Lord to forgive them, and to punish Moses in their stead. But the Lord instead punished the people, allowing a plague upon the people because of their idol worship of a golden calf.