GOLDEN CALF

“Moshe stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, ‘Whoever is for Adonai, come to me!’ All the descendants of Levi rallied around him.”
Exodus 32:26

Starting in Exodus 32:25, we read of Moshe coming down from Mount Sinai only to find and hear the sights and sounds of the Isra’elites worshipping the golden calf. The Torah describes that the people had allowed themselves to become the laughingstock of their enemies based on this action. So then, Moshe took a stand. Standing physically at the entrance to the camp he said, “’Whoever is for the Adonai, come to me.’” This decision shot to the hearts of the people and it is recorded that all the Levites rallied to him (v26) as well as others. Moshe then turned to those who had come to him and gave the command of Adonai, to strap a sword to the side and go throughout the camp killing those who had not chosen to follow Adonai (v27). When the sons of Levi had completed this command, three thousand people lay dead.
Now right away one could argue that Adonai’s ways seemed extreme, but does not Romans 6:23 tell us that the wages of sin is death? For these Isra’elites that chose not to follow after Adonai and obey Him, they found death to be their punishment. For the remainder that had sinned, Moshe sought Adonai’s forgiveness, begging that He forgive them or wipe Moshe’s name out of the book. The redeeming quality of the passage can be found hidden in the celebration of the Festival of Weeks. To quote the former pastor of the church I attend, Don Finto, “On Pentecost fifteen hundred years earlier, when the Law was given on Sinai, three thousand died because of rebellion. On this Pentecost [in Acts 2], three thousand became the first fruits of new life in the Spirit.”
In one day, three thousand were slain because they chose to rebel against Adonai and His commands. Years later, three thousand came into a relationship with Adonai because their eyes and hearts were opened to who He was and they wanted to follow Him. The question beckons then, which one are you? Be careful to answer, though. I know personally that I have at times declared to Adonai that I will follow Him and then shortly following found myself worshipping my own golden calf. If not for the grace of Adonai, I too would face the Romans 6:23 penalty of death for my sins. Adonai is looking for people who are sold out for Him so that He can pour His Spirit out on them. I pray this is not only the cry of our hearts, but also the way of our actions.

Exodus 31:18 – 33:11