Ex 19 — Israel Reaches Mt. Sinai
Ex 20:1-21 — The Ten Commandments
Ex 20:22-26 — Laws about Altars
Ex 32 — The Golden Calf
Ex 33 — Command to Leave Sinai, Moses’ Intercession
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
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Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
Aaron requested by name (19:24) and the explicit emphasis on the second commandment in 20:23, “…do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold” is interesting. Perhaps Moses wanted to make sure we saw Aaron’s weakness highlighted. By chapter 32, Moses is one the mountain alone and Aaron is pressed by the people, “Come, make us gods who will go before us” (32:1). Aaron may be a great orator, but apparently not gifted with leadership! “He took what they handed him and made it into an idol” (32:4). Moses went down from the mountain after pleading with God to spare the people. Joshua meets him and hears the “noise of the people shouting, he said to Moses, ‘There is the sound of war in the camp.’ Moses replied: ‘It is not the sound of victory, it is not the sound of defeat; it is the sound of singing that I hear.'” Moses knew.
As their appointed leader, Moses’ heart must have been broken like a parent who’s child completely and flagrantly disobeys a very clear instruction. I can scarcely appreciate his disappointment, anger and frustration, yet through this pain, Moses returns to the Lord and makes this remarkable plea: “But now, please forgive their sin” (32:32). Moses’ commitment to his leadership position does not falter. He is steadfast and resolute. An amazing example of leadership.