THE IDOLATRY OF THE PEOPLE 1-6. The historical narrative is here resumed from Exodus 24:18. Becoming impatient at the prolonged absence of Moses on the mount (forty days, Exodus 24:18), and despairing of his return, the people prevail upon Aaron to make a god to go before them. From the earrings of... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO AARON] Aaron and Hur had been left in charge by Moses; see Exodus 24:14. MAKE US GODS] RM 'a god.' The Hebrew word for God has a plural form. In making this demand it is doubtful whether the people intended to abandon the worship of Jehovah altogether, or wished simply to have a visible represe... [ Continue Reading ]
EARRINGS] RV 'rings.' Taken by itself the word may mean either earrings or nose-rings. Here the former are expressly intended, but in Exodus 35:22 both may be included. Among Eastern peoples earrings were formerly worn both by men and women ('your sons' here; cp. Judges 8:24), not only as ornaments... [ Continue Reading ]
A FEAST TO THE LORD] i.e. to Jehovah. See on Exodus 32:1. Feasting was a common accompaniment of sacrifice; see on Exodus 24:9. On the nature of the play in this case see Exodus 32:18; Exodus 32:25, where we learn that it included singing and dancing. Cp. Exodus 15:20; Judges 21:19; 2 Samuel 6:12; 1 [ Continue Reading ]
THY PEOPLE WHICH THOU BROUGHTEST OUT] By their own act the people have broken the covenant bond uniting them to Jehovah. In Exodus 32:11 Moses pleads that they are the people of Jehovah.... [ Continue Reading ]
STIFFNECKED] This common metaphor is taken from a stubborn ox that refuses to submit to the yoke. Cp. Zechariah 7:11; Hosea 4:16 (RV 'stubborn heifer'), Jeremiah 17:23; Nehemiah 3:5; Psalms 75:5.... [ Continue Reading ]
Cp. the promise made to Abraham in Genesis 12:2. The people having judged themselves unworthy of the promise (cp. Acts 13:46), a fresh start will be made with Moses who will be the founder of a new nation. Cp. Numbers 14:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
In a spirit of noble generosity Moses effaces himself and intercedes with all his soul for the people. See on Exodus 32:31. He does not minimise their sin (cp. Exodus 32:31), but with a holy boldness he pleads (1) that they are God's own people whom He has redeemed from Egypt (Exodus 32:11, cp. Exod... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Deuteronomy 32:27, and refs. there.... [ Continue Reading ]
ISRAEL] This name is employed rather than Jacob because it suggests the 'prince that had power with God and prevailed': see Genesis 32:28. 15-29. The suppression of the idolatry. 15, 16. See intro. to Exodus 20 and on Exodus 24:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
JOSHUA] see on Exodus 24:15.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND BRAKE THEM] The people had already broken the law contained in them which was the basis of the covenant.... [ Continue Reading ]
BURNT _it_] It was probably not solid, but consisted of a wooden core overlaid with gold: cp. Isaiah 40:19; Isaiah 44:12. The total abolition of the idol is indicated in the threefold treatment of burning it, reducing it to powder, and casting it into the water: cp. Deuteronomy 9:21. This last actio... [ Continue Reading ]
MISCHIEF] RV 'evil': Aaron tries to put the whole responsibility on the people. He pleads that they intimidated him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE CAME OUT THIS CALF] as if by accident, a manifestly poor apology. Observe that Aaron's two pleas of compulsion and accident are in various forms most commonly adduced in palliation of wrongdoing. From Deuteronomy 9:20 we learn that Aaron's abetting of the people's sin evoked the severe displea... [ Continue Reading ]
_Were_ NAKED] RV 'were broken loose.' For the use of the word in the literal sense see e.g. on Numbers 5:18. Here it is most probably used in the metaphorical sense of 'unruly': cp. 2 Chronicles 28:19. R ead on with RV, 'for Aaron had let them loose for a derision among their enemies,' i.e. not with... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO _is on_ THE LORD'S SIDE?] The contrast between the characters of Moses and Aaron is strikingly brought out all through this narrative. Aaron appears as timid and compliant; while Moses is rigidly loyal, fearless, ready to stand alone if need be on the Lord's side, impulsive (Exodus 32:19) and ye... [ Continue Reading ]
CONSECRATE YOURSELVES] lit. 'fill your hands'; see on Exodus 28:41. For upon read with RV 'against.' The claims of kinship must yield to those of God and duty: cp. Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26 and Matthew 12:46. The zeal of the Levites is rewarded with a blessing, by which doubtless is meant the priest... [ Continue Reading ]
MAKE AN ATONEMENT] Something more was required than the punishment that had been inflicted on a portion of the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU WILT FORGIVE THEIR SIN] This form of sentence is used in Hebrew to express an earnest desire or passionate entreaty, and is equivalent to 'O that thou wouldest'. or 'O if thou wouldest but'. Cp. e.g. Psalms 95:7 RV, 'To-day, O that ye would hear,' and 1 Chronicles 4:10, 'O that thou wouldest... [ Continue Reading ]
WHOSOEVER HATH SINNED] cp. Ezekiel 18:4.... [ Continue Reading ]
MINE ANGEL] see on Exodus 3:2. The angel here seems to be distinguished from God Himself: see Exodus 33:3. On the other hand, the angel is virtually identified with God, for God's 'presence' goes with them (Exodus 33:14). I WILL VISIT THEIR SIN UPON THEM] Though the people were not at once destroyed... [ Continue Reading ]