2. Read Exodus 32:1-14 as a group. What observations do you have about the words and actions of the Israelites in this passage? What do you think are some of the genuine emotions the people had that led to these actions and words?
Verse 1 opens with the people acting out of an inability to wait, and forgetfulness of all that God had done for them. We can imagine many different emotions present for the Israelites who had been in the wilderness for 40 days (Ex. 24:18) seemingly without their leader, whom they mocked (“this fellow Moses” has derogatory connotations). Some might have been fearful about the future, some may have been frustrated, bored, feeling lost, or impatient.
As a result, they ask Aaron to “make them gods”. Aaron asks for their gold earrings (valuable belongings), and note how quickly the people are to give up their valuables to make their own gods. We see that the Israelites want a god, but on our their own terms. They decided they were no longer willing to wait for their appointed leader to return, and instead of seeking God, they took matters into their own hands. Aaron creates the golden calf and they explicitly give credit to this created “god” for taking them out of Egypt and for freeing them from slavery. They proceed to bow down to this idol and make sacrifices to it.
Additionally, note Aaron’s leadership - the people approached him to make them gods, and rather than respond by choosing to lead them back to God, he chooses to please the people and give in to their request. Later in verse 24 he lies to Moses, and tries to put the blame on the people.
3. In verse 3, the Hebrew word for “took off” is paraq, which literally means to tear apart or tear away. What does this tell us about the people’s mentality? Why do you think they were so quick to “tear away” their valuable possessions?
The people wanted to place their hope somewhere, they wanted to feel comforted, and they wanted clarity. None of these are bad or sinful in themselves. They just went to the wrong source to get it. Their “tearing away” of these valuables conveys desperation, and rather than desperately seeking God, they seek to solve their own problems and meet their need for God in their own way. This points us back to the idea of wanting God, but on our terms, not His.
4. In verses 11-13, Moses appeals to God in prayer based on God’s own character and promises. As a result, God relents from destroying his people. What does this tell us about God and His willingness to be influenced by His peoples’ requests?
This question quickly will lead into a discussion of free will versus predestination. Did God actually change his mind? Was Moses really able to influence God in that way? Or was that God’s predestined plan all along?
Good, solid believers disagree on these questions. This is a really deep theological issue and very respected Christian scholars land on different sides. It’s a good discussion to have, but don’t let this become a divisive issue for the group. Additionally, this can become an endless dialogue, and we really want to continue with the sections below, so don’t spend too much time here.
One commentator writes this, “‘Let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them’: God did not ask for the opinion or participation of Moses in this matter. He simply told Moses, ‘Let Me alone so I can do this’. The clear impression was that if Moses did nothing, the plan would go ahead.”
What does this tell us about God’s invitation for our participation in prayer?
Follow up question: How do we see growth in Moses in this passage compared to what we saw from him at the burning bush experience in Exodus 3?
