(1) The tablets
32:15 Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hands. The tablets were written on both sides—they were written on the front and on the back. 32:16 Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
The tablets were the contract between God and Israel. Note, it was described as the work of God and God engraved His writing on them. God had all the intention to keep this contract/covenant with Israel.
The tablets were the contract between God and Israel. Note, it was described as the work of God and God engraved His writing on them. God had all the intention to keep this contract/covenant with Israel.
32:19 When he approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses became extremely angry. He threw the tablets from his hands and broke them to pieces at the bottom of the mountain.
Why did Moses break the tablets?
Why did Moses break the tablets?
(BKC) In anger Moses at the foot of the mountain did four things. First, he smashed the tablets of the Law, symbolizing the people’s breaking of the covenant.
(2) The anger of Moses
Both in v.19 and 22, Scriptures mentioned the extreme anger of Moses
32:22 Aaron said, “Do not let your anger burn hot, my lord
To my knowledge, Moses was never described to be angry until this point. God was described to be in anger in v.10, 11, when He told Moses about Israel's idol worshipping.
To my knowledge, Moses was never described to be angry until this point. God was described to be in anger in v.10, 11, when He told Moses about Israel's idol worshipping.
Reflection: When Moses felt the heart of God he became angry for God. The breaking of the covenant made God very angry. His devotion to the covenant was all wasted.
Do we feel the heart of God when we sin against HIm? Do we care about the grieve of the Holy Spirit when we sinned Eph 4:30?
(3) The severe punishment
v.27b “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘Each man fasten his sword on his side, and go back and forth from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and each one kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.’ ”
(NET) The instructions were probably intended to mean that they should kill leaders they knew to be guilty because they had been seen...
32:29 Moses said, “You have been consecrated today for the LORD, for each of you was against his son or against his brother, so he has given a blessing to you today.
"You have been consecrated"=(NET) This was an expression meant to say that they had been faithful to God even though it turned them against family and friends—but God would give them a blessing.
Deut 9:20 tells how angry God was with Aaron. Only intercession saved his life.
Reflection: The penalty of sin is death. It is clear about the consequence of sin. 300 people were killed that day as a vivid picture. Shall we not forget about that when we try to sin again?
Audrey
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