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DESCENT FROM MOUNT SINAI

Text: Exodus 32
20 April 2009

DESCENT FROM MOUNT SINAI
“And Moses turned and went down from the mountain, and the two tablets of the Testimony were on his hand.” Exodus 32:15a

THE TWO TABLETS OF TESTIMONY
“The tablets were written on both sides; on the one side and on the other they were written. Now the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God engraved on the tablets” Exodus 32:15b-16

1. Supremely Invaluable tablets

a) They were from the Lord

b) They were written by God Himself

2. Symbolic significance

a) Content of the Tablets

b) Context of the Tablets given by God

A BRIEF CONVERSATION

Joshua: “There is a noise of war in the camp” Exodus 32:17b

Moses: “It is not the noise of the shout of victory, not the noise of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing I hear!” Exodus 32:18

ANGER OF MOSES
“So it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses’ anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out o his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.” Exodus 32: 19

1. At the sight of the golden calf Exodus 32:19a

2. Fury of Moses Exodus 32:19b

3. Destruction of the Two tablets from God Exodus 32:19c

ENGAGING AARON
“And Moses said to Aaron, ‘What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?” Exodus 32:21
1. Interrogation of Aaron

2. The sin of idolatry was too grave to be overlooked!

ANSWER OF AARON
“So Aaron said, ‘Do not let the anger of my lord become hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods that shall go before us; As for this Moses, the man who brought us out of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.” Exodus 32:22-24

1. An attempt to placate Moses

2. An unacceptable answer

a) You know the people

b) They are set on evil

c) They pressured Aaron to make a golden calf

AN IMPORTANT QUESTION
“And Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, ‘Whoever is on the LORD’s side- come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him.” Exodus 32:26

1. Choosing sides

2. Choosing the Lord’s side

AN IMPORTANT THOUGH SOLEMN COURSE OF ACTION
“And he said to them, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘Let every man put his sword on his side, and go in and out from entrance to entrance throughout the camp, and let every man kill his brother, every man his companion, and every man his neighbour.” Exodus 32:27

1. A spiritual battle that must be fought

2. Physical resistance expected from idolaters

a) Brother

b) Companion

c) Neighbour

CONSECRATION AFTER BATTLE
“So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand of the people fell that day. Then Moses said, ‘Consecrate yourselves today to the LORD, that He may bestow on you a blessing this day, for every man has opposed his son and his brother.” Exodus 32:28-29

1. Consecration

a) Cleansing

b) Sanctification

2. Blessing

a) Because the Lord’s name was honoured and defended

b) Because the sin of idolatry was opposed vigorously

PRAYER AFTER DEALING WITH THE PROBLEM OF SIN
“Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. So now I will go to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.'” Exodus 32:30

1. Correctly noting the gravity of the sin problem created

2. Incorrect pleading with the Lord
“Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, ‘Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin- but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.'” Exodus 32:31-32

a) Moses’ offering of himself

b) Moses’ approach out of place

GOD’S REPLY
“And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Nevertheless, in that day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin.’ So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made.” Exodus 32:33-35

1. Punishment of evil idolaters

2. Plaguing of the people