Bible Discussion Thread

Exodus 32 continued....

It would have been better for them to recite again and again the law Moses had given from YHWH that they had agreed to obey. But, as Paul said, the law was weakened by sin in that man's sin nature raises up to oppose these good commandments and entice every person to desire what the law prohibits and to not do what it proscribes. The Law could not keep the Israelites true to YHWH.

Verse 4 says that Aaron used an engraving tool on the calf. I wonder if He engraved any words or hieroglyphic images on it? He presents the calf to the people and says, "This is your god, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt." Was Aaron calling this calf idol, YHWH, or was he ascribing their deliverance to one of the Egyptian cattle gods? Perhaps Amon-Re, the sun god.

Verse 5 says, "So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it.." Was this an altar of unhewn stones as YHWH had ordained or was it an altar similar to the Egyptian ones for the bull god? Aaron proclaims that "tomorrow is a feast to YHWH". Here syncretism already creeps into true religion ordained by God Himself. And so it has continued through history. How sad.

Verses 5-6 describe their worship and feasting. Rose up early. Offered a burnt and peace offerings. Sat down to eat and drink. Rose up to play. What kind of play was this? Did they become drunk? And did this "play" involve occultic practices or sexual lewdness. Was it respectful or raunchy? These people did not even bat an eye at what this "worship and feasting" entailed. They, having been concerned about Moses being on the Mount so long, now had no more concern for him. They may have thought they were now free of him and his strictness and insistence on doing right before YHWH. Seems like they traded both Moses and YHWH in for a newer, 'seeker-friendly" model!

Meanwhile on the Mount, YHWH tells Moses to go down to the people, telling them what they had done. YHWH calls MOSES' people stiff-necked and tells Moses to stand aside.....