The Book Of Exodus The Golden Calf (Chapter 32) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 1
The situation Moses has been up on the mountain for days. Joshua is waiting at the bottom of the mountain. No one has seen Moses for days. People got used to the seen of smoke and fire on the top of the mountain. (Exo 20:18) Got used to the daily Manna East Brunswick, NJ. USA 2
Background People saw the Egyptians worship the Golden Calf. They got used to seeing a physical representation of deity and authority in front of them They have accepted the 10 commandments, in which God told them not to build statues to worship (Ex 24:7) They wanted a god according to their understanding They wanted to form a god according to their hearts East Brunswick, NJ. USA 3
The problem The need of a physical reminder of the presence of God in our lives. How could they forget all these wonderful miracles God has performed in front of them How could they forget His glorious appearance on Mount Sinai (Ex 24) How could they forget their covenant with Him (Ex 24:7) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 4
Symptom Through out our relationship with God we go through periods in which we do not see any response back from Him We do not get the same response we are used to from God (periods of draught and famine). The question is: What do we do when we feel that God is late for us? East Brunswick, NJ. USA 5
Options What the Jews did: Understood God as they wanted Sought physical aspect to manifest God s presence to them It is OK to break the commandment if you have to!!!!! East Brunswick, NJ. USA 6
Consequence Made their own god. Worshiped idols Their worship was followed by immoral acts Committed multiple sins East Brunswick, NJ. USA 7
The Bible Option Psa 25:5 Lead me in Your truth, and teach me; for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day long. Psa 37:7 Rest in Jehovah, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of him who practices wickedness. Psa 39:7 And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 8
What are we doing today Seeking miracles as a manifestation of faith. We are seeking external appearances to strengthen our faith If God does not work quickly, we take things into our own hand East Brunswick, NJ. USA 9
God s reaction Angry Told Moses: Your People. They are no longer His people. God wanted to consume them, punishment of Sin is death East Brunswick, NJ. USA 10
What did God really want? Exo 32:10 And now leave Me alone, so that My wrath may become hot against them and so that I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation. Did God really need Moses permission to destroy the Israelites? What does it mean: I will make you a great nation East Brunswick, NJ. USA 11
Moses as an example of Christ Here Moses is acting as a representative of Christ We are God s people (Christ s) He came down from the bosom of the Father to see our state and rectify it God gave Him a new nation called after Him. God Repented: The Bible uses expressions we understand and not describing God s behavior Moses goes up again to God for reconciliation East Brunswick, NJ. USA 12
Moses intercession Moses who fled from Egypt is negotiating with God. He refused his own glory for the sake of his people How much did Moses change from being in the presence of the Lord. That is why He is great. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 13
Moses prayer Moses interceded on behalf of his people. His only argument was: God s righteousness and that they are God s people that He saved them (Exo 32:11) Why let the devil (Egypt) gloat and declare victory over God (Exo 32:12) God s previous promises to Abraham Isaac and Jacob (Exo 32:13) When we pray to God we follow the same pattern. We ask God for His mercy, not because we are good but because He is merciful by nature. We still ask Him for the sake of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all His Saints. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 14
Moses Broke the Tablets He broke them because he was angry. He broke them as the commandments testify against the acts of the people of Israel. With the law came condemnation Rom 4:15 because the Law works out wrath, for where no law is, there is no transgression. East Brunswick, NJ. USA 15
Repentance of Levi Levi and Simeon killed Shechem and his family for violating their sister Dinah (Gen 34) Jacob did not bless them Gen 49:6 Oh my soul, do not come into their secret. Let not my honor be united with their assembly. For in their anger they killed a man, and in their self-will they hamstrung a bull. Gen 49:7 Let their anger be cursed, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel. They became God s special servants by their zeal and purity (Exo 32:26) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 16
Result of sin Drank the crushed gold. Severe punishment (Immediate Death) to those who continued to sin and did not repent with Moses warning Plague (prolonged punishment) East Brunswick, NJ. USA 17