Moses Blames Aaron For Making The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:11–24
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Moses tries to get God to change his mind (v. 11). While, still on the mountain, Moses heard that his people had sinned, but he did not seek to justify their actions. However, he pleaded with God for mercy and to not destroy the people (vv. 12-13). He reminded God of his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that someday they would have as many descendants as the stars in the sky. Because of Moses prayer, God changed His previously announced plans of destroying all the people (v. 14). Moses goes back down the mountain carrying the two flat stones containing the written laws on both sides (vv. 15-16).

Soon Joshua hears the noisy shouts of the people and thinks there must be a battle going on (v. 17). Moses tells him it doesn’t sound like shouting because they have won a battle but instead they are singing wildly (v, 18). Upon returning to the camp and viewing the obvious idolatry and drunkenness Moses did three things:

1. He smashed the tablets of the law (v. 19) - He was angry, so he threw the stones down and smashed them. This symbolized the people’s breaking of the covenant.

2. He burned the idol, reduced it to powder and spread it on their water supply (mountain stream) (v. 20) - By making the people drink the water it showed the people they had to bear the consequences of their sin.

3. He asked Aaron to give an account of what had happened (vv. 21-24) - It is interesting to note that Aaron blamed the people and then lied claiming the idol “just happened.”

Application

My prayers need to be more for mercy than for judgment. Moses prayed to spare the people and God’s answer shows how He responds to the individuals’ needs, attitudes and actions.