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Quest to Understand Elementary Scriptural Truth

The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-15 · Pastor Craig R. Jarvis

 

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Moses is on the top of the mountain, experiencing the first formal revelation of the character of Almighty God, while the people at the base of the mountain are breaking the very first two revelations.

1The deafening contrast: from mountaintop to the bottom

  • The people have lost heart in their wait for Moses to return. Exodus 32:1

    • Do you remember how the people responded when they were asked if they were willing to follow God's commands?

  • There is a direct antithesis between what is happening at the top of the mountain and what is going on at the bottom.
  • The people did not want another 'god'; they wanted 'gods' (plural). They were reverting back to what they knew in Egypt.
  • "This Moses…" is a term of disrespect.
  • Aaron bowed to the request to make a golden god. Exodus 32:2-5
    • Aaron requested gold from the people, from their ears.
    • Aaron carved out the shape of a calf. Cows were typical shapes to represent deities in the ancient Near East, and Egypt was particularly filled with gods who looked like cows.

      • Match

        Match each Egyptian god to how it was pictured.

        A. queen of the gods, cow's horns on her head

        B. Egyptian sacred bull

        C. whole head a cow's head

    • Aaron claimed that this calf was their 'gods.' (Why the plural?)
  • The people offer sacrifices to the new team of gods. Exodus 32:6
    • The sacrifices are the same that God has just ascribed to Himself.
    • "And they got up to play." (What does this mean?)

  • Application: the pluralistic attitude in these verses.

    God is not being " ."
    God is being " " with other gods.

  • Does this golden calf relate to us today?

2The dialogue at the top of the mountain

  • God burns in His anger over this incident. Exodus 32:7-10
    • The Hebrews have "ruined it," perverted and spoiled the Holy Law.
    • He begins to separate Himself from the Hebrews.
    • He no longer calls them " ."
    • He says brought them up from the land of Egypt.
    • He refers to them with the same disdain they showed Moses: they are " " people.
    • God even offers Moses the same promise that belonged to Abraham, that a new nation could descend from him. v.10
  • Moses begs for mercy on behalf of the Hebrews. Exodus 32:11-13He becomes the mediator between God and men, and brings three points:
    • He tells God that the Hebrews are " ."
    • He points out that the Egyptians would God's reputation, saying He had brought them out of Egypt to kill them.
    • He reminds God of His with Abraham, that He should not go back on His Word.
    • Moses nowhere justifies the sin of the people; he just begs for mercy.
  • God had compassion on His people. Exodus 32:14
    • Prayer is a main component of the leaders God chooses for His people.

  • Quest even deeper

    With this action of idol worship, the Hebrews violate the second command (no idols) and pulverize the first (no other gods).

  • Notes