Today in chapter 32 of Exodus we see a great transition. For the last 11 chapters we have been seeing the great exchange between God and Moses on Mount Sinai. God has been giving Moses the Ten Commandments, societal laws, instructions for the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant and other worship pieces. This stretch of scripture can at times read like stereo instructions, but it is very important nonetheless to study it and realize its full value, vision and context. But today in chapter 32 we not only shift gears back into a narrative, but we do it in grand fashion, encountering one of the most powerful chapters in Exodus, and possibly the entire Old Testament. This chapter includes powerful lessons and messages on sin, prayer, repentance, judgement, redemption, idol worship, faith, life and death. Let’s take a look.
Moses has been on Mount Sinai for 40 days and nights, carefully receiving the law from God. The entire Israel nation was however at the foot of the mountain, not able to approach God. Moses had no idea how long God would need him and he was not able to send a text to the people and let them know what was going on, so in true human fashion, they panicked. After 40 days they assumed that God had either taken Moses up to Heaven or maybe even struck him down. So, in typical human behavior what do they do? They have a big sin party centered around a false God that they think can somehow save them from their plight. Wow, us humans can fall so quickly.
The large crowd convinces Aaron into making them a golden calf so they can worship it. Now there’s a few things to note here about little mr. gold cow. Recall that the people had been in Egypt for 450 years. They had thoroughly been exposed to the many false gods of the land and this was one of them. The Egyptian god Baal was a black calf. Baal was one of the most prevalent gods in Egypt so you would have seen temples and statues of calves everywhere. So when they panicked, they reverted back to the one god they had all seen and grown up with. Note: familiarity can destroy as sin pulls at you from a distant memory.
Another thing of note is faith, or lack thereof. When things seem desperate isn’t it nice to actually be able to touch, see or hold something? To see the god that you think will care for you? You see, faith is defined in Hebrews 11:1 as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” The people were not able to put their faith any longer in a God they could not see. Recall that up to this point, God had been leading them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, but since God was up on the mount with Moses, they had not seen God's cloud or Moses in 40 days. They felt abandoned and in a lack of faith, they quickly reverted back to a god they can see.
So, Aaron makes the golden Baal calf out of the people’s golden earrings (another sign of idol worship in Egypt) and folks, they don’t simply kneel in front of the calf and offer up some quiet, pious prayers. Not even close. You see, our human way of idol worship is really nothing more than self-worship. We create false gods so that we can do what we want. We surround ourselves with little idols in our life that justifies what our hearts really want. And folks, deep in our hearts we are reckless, stiff-necked, self-serving sinners. So, in this fashion, the people gather around little mr. gold cow and have a party like its 1999 (BC that is)
We’re talking a raucous, drunken, naked, loud, orgy party. Sound like worship to you? If this is the way you worshiped Baal, He would be a big hit today! Well, in typical 1980’s house party movie fashion, dad comes home right in the middle of the big party. God tips off Moses and says, “you’d better get down there, the people are really messing up.” In fact, as Moses gets close to camp, we’re told it sounds like cries of war the party is so loud and out of control. But it’s not loud after Moses steps into camp. I wish I could have seen this sight. I bet it went from 100 decibels to pure silence as Moses walked into camp, staff in hand and a scowl on his bearded face that must have said it all. Moses deals quickly and harshly. He grinds up mr. gold cow, mixes the powder into water and creates a golden Kool-Aid and makes the sinners drink it on the spot. Yum, tastes goldy.
But what speaks to me this morning is Moses’ words to the crowd. Words that send chills up my spine. As Moses uttered these words it must have frozen every muscle in the camp. You see great sin had entered the Israelite nation and Moses knew what had to be done. The sin had to be removed and in order to do that, you must separate. You must divide the sinners from those that truly love and obey God.
“All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.” Matt 25:32.
Some hard decision were about to be forced. Moses’ words?
“then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord's side? Come to me.”” Exodus 32:26a
Wow. A line drawn in the sand with one sentence. 9 words. Moses demands in this moment that decisions be made. This moment right here could probably compete for the quietest moment in history. You see in this moment, in this question, it got personal. This question had to be pondered and answered in the depths of individual souls. A personal question that required a personal response. What do I really think of God?
All the sons of Levi gather to Moses. I can only imagine the moment that followed. As Moses and the Levites stood on one side of that line in the sand, gazing into the eyes of the ones on the other side of the line. Peering deeply into their eyes, wondering if their feet will move. Will they cross the line and stand for God? In this moment satan must have cemented some feet in place. Feet that might have wanted to cross over, were glued in place. Glued in place with fear, faithlessness, pride and selfishness. All they need to do is take a step. But feet as well as souls stayed firm. And Moses and the Levites that day removed the great cancer of sin that had spread into the camp of Israel. 3,000 men fell. The high price of sin is death. To the body and to the soul.
Folks, this story might have played out over 3500 years ago but do me favor….look down at your feet. The line is still there. A faint line drawn in the sand. That line demands a decision. “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” You see, a soul’s eternity rests on the decision of what side of this line to stand on.
Today you can live like the 3000 Israelites if you wish. You can worship money, power, cars, houses, sex, alcohol, drugs, career and the thousands of other little golden cows that are out there to entice you. But folks, they will not satisfy. There is a hole in your heart that is shaped like Jesus Christ and He and He alone can fill that hole that you were born with. No longer be willing to live with the loneliness, anger, bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, bondage and insanity that is guaranteed to accompany sin. Look long and hard at that line at your feet and make a decision. What will I do with Jesus today? Am I on the Lord’s side or my side?
Call upon the name of Jesus today. He came here to save you, to not only offer you an eternal life in Heaven but to give you an abundant life today as you serve Him and others in His love. There were thousands that day that would not cross the line, don’t look to the world for direction, look only to Jesus.
God Bless your day as you, in His power, bless others.
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