One of the most memorable instances of Israel’s rebellion against God (there were many instances) is recorded in Exodus 32. Moses was on Mount Sinai for longer than the people cared for, and they came to desire that gods be fashioned. This was, of course, a most serious violation of God’s law.
Aaron ordered the people to bring gold to him. Some believe that this request was designed to change their minds about having a false god made. The theory is that Aaron’s request would give them pause and they would decide it was not worth the price. Nothing from the text can confirm for us that this is correct, but even if it were Aaron’s thought process it did not work. The people were so determined to have gods that they were willing to part with gold.
Moses was so angry with the people that he cast down the tablets God had given him. He also burned their idol in the fire, ground it into powder and forced the people to drink it!
Later in the chapter we are told that Moses found that the people were unrestrained. He called those who were on the Lord’s side to stand with him. The sons of Levi did so. Moses instructed them to go through the camp killing people, and they did. Sin merits death, so it cannot rightly be claimed that those who had sinned against God so blatantly were undeserving of their punishment. This was neither a random nor unjustified punishment.
Jesus instructed in the New Testament that unless we love God more than we love our earthly relationships we are not fit to be His disciple (see Luke 14:26). This does not require that we use deadly force against them, but it does mean we must not let any earthly relationship stand in the way of our relationship with God.
In Exodus 33 God provides assurance to Moses that He would not neglect Israel. They would, indeed, go to the land God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The idea of the Israelites being a “stiff-necked” people appears in all three of the chapters in today’s reading portion. This is an appropriate description for them, and unfortunately can be a pretty good description of us at times.
In Exodus 34 God continues to instruct Moses. He warns that Israel should not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land. Idolatry would end up resulting from such a thing. Yet, we know from later in Israel’s history that they were guilty of precisely this. So we have proof positive that God knows what He is talking about, gives His commands for a reason (even if we don’t always understand the reason behind a command) and has our best interest in mind.
There are a few things in this chapter that clearly show God’s care. In Exodus 34:23-24 God explains that three times per year the men of Israel would go up to appear to the Lord. When this happens that would mean that a lot of Israelite land would be virtually defenseless, right? Wrong! God would protect the land while the men went up. He said in the second half of Exodus 34:24 “neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year” (NKJV).
What might otherwise be considered a “golden opportunity” for invasion would be nothing to worry about. God had things under control.
Also notice Exodus 34:28. Moses went 40 days and 40 nights without bread or water. This is a feat which, to the best of my understanding, is not possible ordinarily. You or I could not survive that long without food and water. I conclude, then, that God sustained Moses miraculously. Those who deny miraculous events in the Bible would have a problem here, but once again we get to decide whether we will believe man or believe the Bible. I will believe the Bible; and I hope that you will, too.
