Exodus 32 & 33 – A Great Sin
When we come to Exodus chapters 32-34 we come across an episode that seems to be out of place. Why does this event interrupt God’s instructions for building the tent?
The answer, outside of the fact that this is the way history happened, is that there is a barrier in our approaching God. There are more references to sin in chapters 32-34 than there are in the rest of the book of Exodus. We are prone to sin and so we need an intercessor – one to act on our behalf.
When the apostle Paul writes about this episode in 1 Corinthians 10 he says, “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.’ We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, we must not put Christ to the test as some of them did, nor grumble as some of them did. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”
Perhaps we are more like the people of Israel than we would like to think. Maybe, just maybe, our hearts are as inclined to wander, as inclined to make idols, as inclined to forget the saving grace of God. Just like the people Israel, we must then surely need a great intercessor.
Like the people of Israel when we sin we have sinned a great sin, 32:31.
Like the people of Israel when we sin we deserve to be blotted out, 32:33.
Like the people of Israel when we sin we need someone to take our place, 32:30,32.
Moses could not be blotted out instead of the people, he too would be guilty before God, but there is one who interceded for us and was took the punishment we deserve. His name is Jesus Christ.
Questions
- In what ways can we be like the people of Israel with the golden calf?
- How was Moses like Jesus? How is Jesus greater than Moses?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the salvation of friends and family members.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.