Exodus 32-33 - BibleStudy.ph

These are the original teaching notes from this passage.

Review…

Exodus 20-24 – the LAW of God for INDIVIDUALS / SOCIETY / JUDGES…
Exodus 25-27 – The Tabernacle – where God would dwell with His people making them HOLY…
Exodus 28-29 – The clothing of the Priests of God…
Exodus 30-31 – Final Preparations
- The Altar of incense inside the Tabernacle and the Bronze pool outside…
- The law for making the ANOINTING oil and the INCENSE…
- God gifted Bezalel – filled him with His Spirit – so he could make everything for the Tabernacle!
- The Golden Calf… (6 points)
1^st – Moses was DELAYED… vs. 1-6
- 1^st – The people saw that Moses was DELAYED coming from the mountain… vs. 1
  - DELAYED – [כִּֽי־בֹשֵׁשׁ מֹשֶׁה] – to be VERY disappointed [polel] in Moses…
  - Moses had been up on the mountain with God for FORTY days and FORTY nights…
  - And since Moses had not come back yet – they assumed he would never come back!
  - It is easy to say we want to follow Jesus – we want to serve the Lord…
  - But we can easily – and quickly – get caught back up in the care of this world…
  - Forgetting that Jesus said He would be COMING BACK for us – we need to be ready…
  - If Jesus came back today – what would He find us doing – waiting / or in the world!
  - II Peter 3:4 – “Jesus promised to come back, did he? Then where is he?”
- 2^nd – Come make [imperative] us gods… vs. 1-5
  - Before Moses left – Israel had said was they would follow all of the commands of God…
  - But because Moses was NOT back – they BROKE the first TWO commands…
  - The very FIRST command – was not to have any other gods before the Lord…
  - The SECOND command – was not to make any idols – Exodus 20:3-4
  - Make us gods [אֱלֹהִים] – Israel demanded Aaron make them an IMAGE of the god…
  - Aaron told them to BREAK off the gold from the earrings of their wives / sons / daughters…
  - Interesting command – as a pierced ear was the mark of a BONDSERVENT – Exodus 21:6
  - They were BREAKING their commitment – as SERVANTS of the Lord!
  - Aaron fashioned a Golden CALF…
  - This was the FIRST – but not the LAST time Israel would worship a Golden CALF…
  - King Jeroboam made TWO Golden Calves that led Israel into SIN – I Kings 12:28
  - The people said – THIS is your god Israel – who brought you out of Egypt!
  - Aaron proclaimed the next day would be a feast to the Lord [לַיהוָה] …
  - Israel had a lapse of FAITH – they were doubting God – because they could not SEE God…
  - They stopped looking UP – and started looking around to see what else they could worship!
  - Jesus gave a parable of the TEN virgins – Matthew 25:1-13
  - There were TEN women waiting for THE Wedding – but the Groom was DELAYED…
  - The virgins fell asleep / their lights went out – the excitement of Jesus coming wore away!
  - When we first HEAR the Gospel – we get excited and commit to FOLLOW the Lord…
  - But as time passes – YEARS – and we do not SEE Jesus – DOUBT can creep in…
  - And we stop looking UP for the return of Jesus – and start looking around at the world…
  - II Corinthians 4:16-18 – “Therefore we do NOT lose heart… while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen.”
- 3^rd – They rose EARLY… vs. 6
  - The people got up EARLY the next day – they were EXCITED…
  - And they offered BURNT (dedication) and PEACE (fellowship) sacrifices to the golden calf…
  - We have seen THREE kinds of sacrifices – one is missing here – the SIN offering…
  - Israel could dedicate themselves to the GOLDEN CALF – desire to be friends…
  - But the GOLDEN CALF could not take away their SIN!
  - Israel sat down to EAT and DRINK / and rose up to PLAY [piel] HARD…
  - Rather than live a life dedicated to obeying God – they wanted to have FUN…
  - No though for the FUTURE – they wanted to live for the DAY!
  - At the foot of the mountain of God – with the fire still burning on top…
  - Only days after God had spoken to them – having received the TEN commandments…
  - The people walked away from God – because they only wanted to please themselves!
  - What is the Golden CALF – interesting how times have not CHAGED…
  - The symbol for wealth to this day – is a Golden CALF…
  - If you to WALL STREET in New York – you will still see a Golden Calf!
  - We cannot serve ourselves and serve the Lord – we have to CHOOSE…
  - To CHOOSE to follow God – means we lay down our lives – live our lives for Jesus!
  - Luke 9:23 – “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”
2^nd – Not my people… vs. 7-14
- 1^st – Go down… vs. 7-10
  - God commanded Moses to GO DOWN [imperative] from the mountain…
  - YOUR people who YOU brought out of Egypt have corrupted themselves…
  - Any parent can tell you – when a child is being BAD – they are the other spouses kid…
  - When the Dad comes home – Mom tells him – do you know what YOUR son did today!
  - Israel had quickly TURNED aside…
  - Quickly [piel] TURNED [perfect] – to completely depart from the commands God had given…
  - God had SEEN the people – and they were STIFFNECKED – unwilling to TURN back…
  - In less than FORTY days they had gone from we will OBEY all – to making false IDOLS…
  - The plan of God was to wipe them all out – start over with Moses…
  - Let me alone [jussive] that My wrath may burn hot and CONSUME [cohortative] them!
- 2^nd – Pleading with God… vs. 11-14
  - Moses PLEADED [piel] for Israel – YOUR people who YOU brought out of Egypt…
  - No one wanted to take any responsibility for Israel at this point!
  - Israel did NOT deserve to be saved – they deserved JUDGEMENT – but Moses argued…
  - Why should the Egyptians SPEAK…
  - The Egyptians would say – the God of Israel led them into the wilderness to kill them…
  - So not for the sake of Israel – but for the sake of His Holy name – spare them!
  - The church should be the representative of God to a lost and dying world…
  - When the church has as many or more scandals than the world – the world mocks…
  - The light of Jesus becomes faded – much of the power / witness of the church is lost!
  - REMEMBER Your promises to Abraham / Isaac / and Israel…
  - To multiply their descendants like the stars in the heavens – Genesis 22:17
  - And the give the LAND as an ETENRAL inheritance – Genesis 13:15
  - And the Lord RELENTED the HARM [evil] He thought [piel] to do to His people…
  - RELENTED – (niphal / passive) to have COMPASSION on them!
  - God did NOT need Moses to REMIND Him…
  - God was stirring Moses to stand up – have the same COMPASSION – for His people…
  - God could SEE what was coming – this was NOT the last time Israel would rebel!
  - Galatians 6:1-2 – “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
  - How do we respond when we see a brother or sister who has fallen into sin…
  - When a believer is in trouble – and needs help – Christians tend to attack…
  - Rather than picking them up – they instead are quick to judge…
  - Christians unfortunately are famous for shooting their wounded!
  - Or the tendency is to leave those in need alone when we should be loving them…
  - But it should not be that way in the church – we are to be known by love!
  - John 13:35 – “All will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
3^rd – The law of God… vs. 15-35
- 1^st – Far from sin… vs. 15-18
  - Moses came down the mountain – with the TWO stone tablets in his hands…
  - They were written on the FRONT and BACK – the WORK of God…
  - With THEIR (plural) writing – the writing of God engraved on the TWO tablets of stone…
  - Written by the FINGER of God – Exodus 31:18
  - Joshua met Moses on the way down – Joshua had gone father up than anyone else…
  - He heard the noise coming from the camp – and said it is the noise of WAR…
  - But Moses countered – it is not the NOISE of victory or defeat – it is SINGING [piel]!
  - Joshua was not caught up in the sin of Israel – because he was closer to God!
  - We believe in the Lord – we follow the Lord – but often from a distance…
  - We want to live both for the Lord – and for the world…
  - Look like a Christian on Sundays – like the world the rest of the week…
  - The PROBLEM is – the farther we are from Jesus – the closer we are to the world…
  - And when we are close to the world – we tend to fall into the sins of the world!
- 2^nd – Excuses… vs. 19-24
  - When Moses arrived at the camp – he saw the CALF and DANCING – and his anger grew HOT…
  - He threw down and SHATTERED [piel] the stone tablets…
  - A dramatic symbolic gesture – showing that Israel had broken the Law of God…
  - He burnt the golden calf – ground it up – mixed it with water – made Israel drink it!
  - Moses asked Aaron – what have the people done to you that you allowed this GREAT sin…
  - Aaron made excuses – the people are set on MISCHIEF – and when Moses delayed…
  - They demanded Aaron make [imperative] gods to go before them…
  - So – he took their gold – cast it into the fire – POOF out came a golden calf!
  - So many times – when we fail – we want to blame ANYTHING but us…
  - If we take the blame – then it means that we have to CHANGE / REPENT…
  - It means we did something WRONG and need to make it right…
  - It is far easier to just pass the BLAME onto someone else – (Israelites / a fire)
  - Then we do NOT have to do anything – it was not our fault (or all our fault)!
- 3^RD – The death of 3000… vs. 25-29
  - When Moses saw the people were UNRESTRAINED – for Aaron had not restrained them…
  - UNRESTRAINED – the word can mean NAKED – to their shame…
  - Moses called out – whoever is on the side of the Lord – come to me….
  - Most of Israel came – including the whole tribe of Levi – Moses tribe!
  - Moses ordered Levi to go and put to death – all who would not turn back to the Lord…
  - Every man KILL [imperative] his BROTHER / FRIEND / NEIGHBOR…
  - CONSECRATE [arm] yourself – against every man – even your sons – and be blessed…
  - As a result – God chose the Tribe of Levi to serve Him – Numbers 18:2
  - They would be the ONLY tribe to serve the Lord as Priests!
  - The day the law was given – 3000 of the Children of Israel were put to death!
  - Because the Law stirs up the desire for sin – sin that leads to judgment / death…
  - Have you ever seen a sign that says WET PAINT – and felt the need to touch it!
  - Typically – when we think about how to be a GOOD Christian – we give RULES…
  - Read your Bible / go to church / pray every day / stay away from bad people!
  - We put Christians under the bondage of trying to keep these RULES…
  - Making them think the more they do for God – the more they will GROW in God…
  - But we are not a better person if we read our Bible today – or worse if we do not…
  - If we try and follow RULES – they may change the outside – but it is superficial…
  - The danger of these RULES are they cannot change our HEARTS!
  - Colossians 2:23 – “Rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.” [NLT]
  - In contrast 1200 years later – on the day of Pentecost – the Holy Spirit was given…
  - 3000 people were given life – and the church was born – Acts 2:41
  - II Corinthians 3:6 – “[God] made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
  - The Law of God – with its rules and regulations – can never make a person GROW…
  - The Law has the power to prove we are a sinner – but it brings only bring death!
  - There are ONLY two resources in life we can draw from to live for God…
  - We can depend on OUR strength – look to RULES we can follow – to make us HOLY…
  - Or we can depend on the strength of GOD – look HIM / GRACE – to make us HOLY!
  - II Peter 3:18 – “Grow [through] the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus…”
- 4^th – Atonement for sin… vs. 30-35
  - Moses told the people – you have committed a GREAT sin…
  - He went back up the mountain – to meet with God – to make ATONEMENT [cover] their sin…
  - There was no reason why God should FORGIVE the sins of Israel…
  - But Moses stood between God and the JUDGEMENT Israel deserved!
  - Lord forgive them – but if not – BLOT out my name out of Your book as well…
  - In other words – Moses was willing to suffer their fate – even though he was INNOCENT!
  - We do NOT deserve to be forgiven – we deserved to be judged for our sin – we deserve Hell…
  - But the Good News is Jesus went up to God – and He stood between judgment and us…
  - He paid the price – so we could have forgiveness – our name written in the Book of life!
  - The Lord said – NO – whoever has sinned I will BLOT him out of My Book…
  - God told Moses to GO to the Promised Land – His Angel would go before – Exodus 23:20
  - NEVERTHELESS – on THE Day of Judgment – God would PUNISH their sin!
  - When we sin – we may think that no one noticed – we think we get away with it…
  - There may not even be immediate consequences – making us think God is OK with it…
  - God is patient – because he wants us to repent – admit to our sin – II Peter 3:9
  - But that does not mean that we will get away with our sin – Galatians 6:7
  - Numbers 32:22 – “Be sure your sin will find you out…”
4^th – A heart for God… vs. 1-6
- 1^st – Leaving the mountain… vs. 1
  - God commanded Moses to DEPART – lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land…
  - It was the Land God had promised to Abraham / Isaac / and Jacob – Genesis 15:18
  - A land of plenty (milk and honey) – the promise God had given more than 400 years earlier!
  - We have to wait – and we hate waiting – we would rather do almost anything than wait!
  - One of the greatest tests we will ever face in our Christian walk is patience…
  - The Lords timing is not our timing – He is not in a rush…
  - We think that waiting on the Lord means a couple of hours – maybe weeks..
  - Following Jesus means being patient – willing to wait on the Lord – wait on Grace!
- 2^nd – God would not travel with Israel… vs. 2-3
  - God would send His Angel before them to drive out the Canaanites (people in the land) …
  - But He would not go – because the Children of Israel were STIFF-NECKED…
  - They had shown how easily and quickly they would turn from God…
  - If He came into their camp – even for a moment – He would CONSUME them!
  - Sometimes we feel like God is not there – like we are ALONE – as if God is far away…
  - It is not that God does not WANT to come near – it is us who KEEPS Him away…
  - When we choose to be STUBBORN – rebellious – we are telling God to stay away!
- 3^rd – ORNAMENTS… vs. 4-6
  - God commanded the Israelites to remove all their ORNAMENTS…
  - ORNAMENTS – can refer to either jewelry – or fancy clothing…
  - Why remove ORNAMENTS – the golden calf was molded out of the gold JEWELRY…
  - ALSO – The people were trying to look good on the OUTSIDE – but the inside was corrupt…
  - They thought looking beautiful on the o OUTSIDE was all that really mattered!
  - God wanted them to have INWARD beauty – the outside was irrelevant!
  - Much like the Children of Israel – the world tends to focus on EXTERNAL beauty…
  - We judge beauty based on clothing – hair – jewelry – phones…
  - We think these are what make a person beautiful – we could not be more wrong!
  - I Timothy 2:9-10 – “I want [people] to be modest in appearance. They should wear decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes. For [those] who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.” [NLT]
5^th – Meeting with God… vs. 7-11
- 1^st – The Tent of Meeting… vs. 7
  - Moses pitched his tent OUTSIDE the camp – FAR from the Children of Israel…
  - Since God would not come INTO the camp – Moses met with God OUTSIDE the camp…
  - Called it the TABERNACLE of MEETING – anyone who wanted to meet with God would go there!
  - The CHURCH is not a BUILDNG – its people – the reason why we have BULDINGS…
  - MANY people are FAR from the Lord – and it gives them a place to MEET with God…
  - A CHURCH is not meant to be a place for saints – perfect people to gather…
  - A church is the TENT of MEETING – where sinners come to meet with a Holy God!
- 2^nd – Inside the homes… vs. 8-10
  - Whenever Moses went into the TENT – all of Israel would stand and watch…
  - The Pillar of Cloud [glory] would descend on the TENT – God meeting with Moses…
  - Then all the people would worship in their own homes!
  - We worship and learn about Jesus at CHURCH – but it should not stop there…
  - A CHURCH is not the only place we can worship God – learn about the Lord…
  - Do NOT wait till Sunday or Mid-week – take the time every day to spend with Jesus!
- 3^rd – Face to face… vs. 11
  - Inside the Tent – God spoke to Moses FACE to FACE – as with a FRIEND…
  - This is an amazing statement of the relationship God had with Moses…
  - God did not speak to Moses is vague visions / obscure dreams / or cryptic words…
  - Moses had regular conversations with God – question and answer – friendship!
  - Deuteronomy 34:10 – “There has never been another prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.”
  - The example of Joshua…
  - How did Moses get such an amazing relationship with God…
  - After God was done speaking to Moses – he would go and share with Israel….
  - But Joshua would STAY in the tent – spending TIME in the PRESENCE of the Lord!
  - If you want to be a friend – you do not ignore a person – stay away from them…
  - Friendship comes from spending TIME – getting to know a person!
  - Our challenge seems to be finding the time to spend with God…
  - There are so many distractions in this life that seem to always vie for attention…
  - But our problem is not TIME – it is our PRORITIES – what is most important to us…
  - Sadly – we often do everything but the one thing that is truly necessary…
  - Sit at the feet of Jesus – spend time with Him – get to know Him as our friend!
  - Luke 10:42 – “One thing is needed [to sit at the feet of Jesus].”
6^th – Seeing God… vs. 12-23
- 1^st – Show me the WAY… vs. 12-14
  - God had commanded Moses to take Israel to the Promised Land…
  - But God had not told him exactly who would take them in (an Angel) – or how…
  - If I have found GRACE in Your sight – show me your WAY…
  - So that Moses could KNOW the Lord – find GRACE in His sight…
  - KNOW that God STILL considered Israel as His people!
  - We want all the details from God before we step out in faith…
  - But God rarely gives us all the details – or sometimes even any of the details…
  - If we knew exactly what to do – and where we were going – it would not take faith!
  - God leaves us in a place where we have to completely dependent on Him for every step
  - Rather than depending on our understanding – we learn to trust in the Lord!
  - II Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
  - The Lord told Moses – He would personally go with him…
  - This seems to be a CONRADICTION – God had just said He would NOT go with Israel…
  - Who went with Israel – God or the Angel of God…
  - The answer is the Angel of God – is none other than God – Jesus Christ!
  - Jesus would go and fight for Israel – then He would give them rest – Matthew 11:28-30
  - God may not give us details – but He promised us something far better….
  - He guarantees us He will be there with us – holding our hand every step of the way!
- 2^nd – Come with us… vs. 15-17
  - Moses told the Lord – if Your presence does NOT go with us – do NOT bring us up from here…
  - Moses did not want to take one step without the Lord leading the way…
  - He knew the right way to go – was to walk in the footprints of the God!
  - More often than not – we step out to do something – and it does not work out…
  - Then ask the Lord if He wanted us to do it – only to find out we got AHEAD of the Lord…
  - We should not take a step – without the confidence the Lord is LEADING us!
  - If God went with Moses and Israel – they would be SEPARATE from all other nations…
  - The Lord answered – I will do as you say – you have found GRACE – I KNOW you by name!
  - If all we have is the name Christian – a religion – how are we different from anyone else…
  - What makes us special – is that God is with us – the creator of all things – KNOWS our name!
  - He is more than willing to direct our steps – lead and guide us – if we will simply ask!
  - Psalms 37:23 – “The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
- 3^rd – Let me see your presence… vs. 18-23
  - Moses wanted to see the GLORY of the Lord…
  - The Jews called it the SHEKINAH of the Lord – the glorious presence of God…
  - Whether it was a cloud coming down at the door of the Tent of Meeting…
  - The burning bush / or the Holiest of All – inside the curtain – above the Mercy Seat…
  - Moses wanted to not JUST see the presence of God – he wanted to see His FACE!
  - The FACE of God…
  - God would let His GOODNESS [כָּל־טוּבִי] pass before Moses – and He would call out His name…
    - But no man can look on His FACE and live – there are TWO thoughts on why…
    - FIRST – God is so HOLY – sinful man would perish in the pure light of God…
    - Isaiah 6:5 – “My destruction is sealed, for I am a sinful man and a member of a sinful race. Yet I have seen the King, the LORD Almighty!”
    - SECOND – Upon seeing our Lord – who would want to go back to an ordinary life!
    - II Corinthians 12:4 – “He was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” [NLT]
  - God put Moses behind a rock – covered him with His hand – and passed by…
    - Moses was allowed to see God from behind – but he could not look on His FACE…
    - Moses spent time with God – and because he became the friend of God…
    - He got to see the Lord – the SHEKINAH glory of God!
    - As we spend time with the Lord – we will build a friendship with God…
    - A dear friend who will stay by our side every step of the way – directing our every step
    - And one day – we will get to see Him FACE to FACE!