49. Moses’ Anger and the Levites’ Devotion (Ex 32:15-35)

As Moses came down, the situation was worse than I had thought on the mountain. He got angry at them.

๐Ÿ‘‰ Read Exodus 32:15-35

What was Moses’ response when he saw their idolatry worship with his own eyes? (v19-20)

 

Compare what Aaron had done (v4) and what he said to Moses (v24).

 

Which tribe of Israel volunteered to kill their brothers and friends for the Lord's sake?

 

Thanks to/despite Moses’ plea, their sins were not fully forgiven at this time. Only the (               ) for their sins was postponed. (32-34)

 

Answers and Meditation

He got extremely angry and threw the stone tablets.

Moses outbursted his fiery anger and smashed the thing in his hands. And Moses made them drink the ash water of the golden calf. It was a type of bitter water test that tested the wife suspected of unfaithfulness. (Numbers 5 QT link) Here the reaction of the people who drank would indicate guilt or not (U. Cassuto, Exodus, 419).

 

He lied as if the gold calf had come out by itself.

Aaron first tried to blame the people saying they were evil and, later, tried to make it sound like a miracle. He meant he had not done anything to be blamed. However, the Bible clearly says Aaron made it (35). And also, verse 25 says Aaron was responsible for this. Deut 9:20 says God was angry at Aaron and tried to kill him.

“their enemies” in verse 25 refer to other nations hostile to Israel and eventually Satan.

Failure of His people would give Satan a chance to mock their Savior. “God, look at your people. You rescued them with the blood of Your Son, but they have abandoned you and worshiped other gods!” David’s adultery and murder let Satan contempt God (2 Sam 14:21).

 

The Levites

They killed their brothers and friends (27, 29). They killed even their own brother and friend if they participated in idolatry.

“Consecrated for the Lord”: literal translation = ‘filled up their hands for the sake of the Lord’ = ‘dedicated themselves to the service of the Lord.’

The credit of the Levites was that they resolved to kill even their loving ones to cleanse the idolatry from the community for the Lord’s sake. They were zealous for God as Phinehas was zealous for his God in Numbers 25:13.   

 

Punishment

God said He wouldn’t go with them, but His angel would lead them to Canaan. At least God’s promise for the land would be fulfilled in that case.

Why can Moses’ prayer not achieve the Lord’s pardon for their sin? His plea relied on his righteousness. He said, ‘forgive their sins, but if not, wipe me out from your book.’ However, in chapter 33, his request for forgiveness was accepted when he prayed, relying on God’s righteousness.  

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