Êxodo 32

Êxodo 32

MacArthur - Only the tribe of Levi responded to the call to take action in response to this situation which demanded judgment be inflicted. They had understood that neutrality could not exist in the open confrontation between good and evil. Family and national ties were superseded by submission to the Lord to do His will, which in this situation was to wield the sword of God’s judgment to preserve His honor and glory. (MSB) Exodus 32:27 He said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor.'" NET Exodus 32:27 and he said to them, "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.'" NLT Exodus 32:27 Moses told them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone-- even your brothers, friends, and neighbors." ESV Exodus 32:27 And he said to them, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.'" NIV Exodus 32:27 Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.' " KJV Exodus 32:27 And he said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. LXE Exodus 32:27 And he says to them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every one his sword on his thigh, and go through and return from gate to gate through the camp, and slay every one his brother, and every one his neighbour, and every one him that is nearest to him. ASV Exodus 32:27 And he said unto them, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Put ye every man his sword upon his thigh, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. CSB Exodus 32:27 He told them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says, 'Every man fasten his sword to his side; go back and forth through the camp from entrance to entrance, and each of you kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor.'" NKJ Exodus 32:27 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 neighbor.'" NRS Exodus 32:27 He said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Put your sword on your side, each of you! Go back and forth from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill your brother, your friend, and your neighbor.'" YLT Exodus 32:27 and he saith to them, 'Thus said Jehovah, God of Israel, Put each his sword by his thigh, pass over and turn back from gate to gate through the camp, and slay each his brother, and each his friend, and each his relation.' kill every man: Ex 32:26,29 Nu 25:5,7-12 De 33:8,9 Lu 14:26 2Co 5:16 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DIVINE PUNISHMENT FOR IDOLATRY He said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel - Moses issues the order invoking the "divine formula" thus says Yahweh, but the order comes from "Headquarters!" In other words when Moses used the "divine formula" he was saying in essence that these are the words of God which are being spoken! And so the following orders are from the Throne of Heaven and not from Moses (per se) on the earth. They were "through" Moses but not "from" Moses. Moses unhesitatingly exercises full authority in the Name of Yahweh. 'Every man of you put his sword upon his thigh, and go back and forth from gate to gate in the camp, and kill every man his brother, and every man his friend, and every man his neighbor - Here again is the mention of gates, but the meaning is not clear, but it would imply the area where most interactions/transactions took place among the 12 tribes. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” NET Note - The phrases have “and kill a man his brother, and a man his companion, and a man his neighbor.” The instructions were probably intended to mean that they should kill leaders they knew to be guilty because they had been seen or because they failed the water test—whoever they were. Gotquestions - Moses called for those who were on the Lord’s side to come stand with him (Exodus 32:26). The Levites stood with him and were commanded to go through the camp and kill anyone who persisted in the idolatry. Three thousand men were killed that day. The next day, Moses went up and confessed the people’s sins before God, asking for His forgiveness. God declared that the guilty ones would yet pay with their own deaths and be blotted out of His book. These were the same ones who, on the verge of entering the Promised Land, would deny God’s promises and be sent into the wilderness to die for their sins. Their children would be the ones to receive God’s promised blessings. (Episode of the Golden Calf) Exodus 32:28 So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed, and about three thousand men of the people fell that day. NET Exodus 32:28 The Levites did what Moses ordered, and that day about three thousand men of the people died. NLT Exodus 32:28 The Levites obeyed Moses' command, and about 3,000 people died that day. ESV Exodus 32:28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. NIV Exodus 32:28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. KJV Exodus 32:28 And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. LXE Exodus 32:28 And the sons of Levi did as Moses spoke to them, and there fell of the people in that day to the number of three thousand men. ASV Exodus 32:28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. CSB Exodus 32:28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and about 3,000 men fell dead that day among the people. NKJ Exodus 32:28 So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day. NRS Exodus 32:28 The sons of Levi did as Moses commanded, and about three thousand of the people fell on that day. YLT Exodus 32:28 And the sons of Levi do according to the word of Moses, and there fall of the people on that day about three thousand men, sons: De 33:9 Mal 2:4-6 fell: Nu 16:32-35,41 1Co 10:8 Heb 2:2,3 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LEVITES BECOME EXECUTIONERS So the sons of Levi did as Moses instructed - Recall Moses and Aaron are Levites (Ex 2:1-10). The Levites clearly accepted the authority of Moses. and about three thousand men of the people fell that day - 3000 out of two million and most commentators feel these were the main leaders of the wickedness, so these rebels had to be removed immediately. It is notable that the Hebrew word (ish) is specially males, confirmed by the Septuagint (aner) which means man or husband. Does this imply the men were the primary perpetrators of this great sin? That is certainly a possibility. THOUGHT - We "men" need to be careful how we walk, and especially careful how we lead because our wives and children are watching and will (generally but not always) follow into good or into bad! Dear brother in Christ -- where are you walking? Are you walking worthy of the Lord? Or are have a "secret" walk that no one knows about (except God)? Be su re your sin will find you out and will many times have disastrous familial repercussions/consequences. Be sure to distinguish what Paul says in 1 Cor 10:7 (which I quoted in the previous passage) from 1 Cor 10:8 where Paul mentions "23,000 fell in one day." 1 Cor 10:8 does not refer to the 3000 dead in Exodus 32 but is referring to the idolatry and immorality of Israel in Baal worship in Numbers 25:1-9. Kaiser points out that "This was not the command of a prophet but of a holy God. Compare the demand for absolute holiness in Matthew 10:37 and Luke 14:26 (cf. 19:6). No small number of people had to pay the consequences for their stiff-neckedness (v.28; cf. Acts 2:41). Following God then as now sometimes requires denying one’s family and being cut off from them (v.29; cf. Luke 12:51–53+; Lk 14:26+). A necessary part of consecration is being obedient to the Lord’s command, which always results in his blessings (Ex 32:29). The Levites wholeheartedly followed God (Josh 14:8) and counted other ties of kinship as nothing in comparison (Deut 33:9), just as Phinehas was “as zealous as I am for my honor among them” (Num 25:11; cf. Ps 139:21)." (EBC-Ex) THOUGHT - Gotquestions on what we should learn from this episode - Their experiences are a lesson to us today. Even though we might justify our actions through reason or logic, if we are violating God’s clear commands, we are sinning against Him, and He will hold us accountable for those sins. God is not to be worshiped with images, because any image we make will draw more attention to the work of our hands than the God who made all things. Also, there is no way we can ever fully represent the holiness and awesomeness of God through an image. To attempt to do so will always fall short. On top of this, God is a spirit (John 4:24), and we cannot form an image of a spirit. We worship God by believing His Word, obeying it, and declaring His greatness to others. (Episode of the Golden Calf) Exodus 32:29 Then Moses said, "Dedicate yourselves today to the LORD--for every man has been against his son and against his brother--in order that He may bestow a blessing upon you today." NET Exodus 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." NLT Exodus 32:29 Then Moses told the Levites, "Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Today you have earned a blessing." ESV Exodus 32:29 And Moses said, "Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day." NIV Exodus 32:29 Then Moses said, "You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day." KJV Exodus 32:29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. LXE Exodus 32:29 And Moses said to them, Ye have filled your hands this day to the Lord each one on his son or on his brother, so that blessing should be given to you. ASV Exodus 32:29 And Moses said, Consecrate yourselves to-day to Jehovah, yea, every man against his son, and against his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. CSB Exodus 32:29 Afterward Moses said, "Today you have been dedicated to the LORD, since each man went against his son and his brother. Therefore you have brought a blessing on yourselves today." NKJ Exodus 32:29 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." NRS Exodus 32:29 Moses said, "Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of a son or a brother, and so have brought a blessing on yourselves this day." YLT Exodus 32:29 and Moses saith, 'Consecrate your hand to-day to Jehovah, for a man is against his son, and against his brother, so as to bring on you to-day a blessing.' Moses: Nu 25:11-13 De 13:6-11 33:9,10 1Sa 15:18-22 Pr 21:3 Joe 2:12-14 Zec 13:3 Mt 10:37 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DEDICATION IS DEMANDING Then Moses said, "Dedicate yourselves today to the LORD - Hebrew literally reads “Your hand was filled.” NIV says "You have been set apart to the LORD today." NET Note - The phrase “fill your hands” is a familiar expression having to do with commissioning and devotion to a task that is earlier used in Ex 28:41+; Ex 29:9, 29, 33, 35+. This has usually been explained as a Qal imperative. S. R. Driver explains it “Fill your hand today,” meaning, take a sacrifice to God and be installed in the priesthood (Exodus, 355). But it probably is a Piel perfect, meaning “they have filled your hands today,” or, “your hand was filled today.” 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. Alan Ross - One of the interpretations of verse 29 is that because the Levites sided with the LORD they were told, “fill your hand today to the LORD,” i.e., provide yourself with sacrifices that you may be installed as priests. If this is taken as the meaning, then earlier priestly activities of Levites must be explained. Currid does not favor Ross' interpretation writing "It has been suggested that the command to ‘Fill your hand’ means to present an offering to Yahweh on behalf of the Levites who did the killing at Sinai. However, the idiom, ‘to fill the hand’ has been used before in the book of Exodus, and, as we have seen, it refers to an act of consecration (see commentary on 28:41). Thus, apparently the order is given for some type of investiture ceremony to take place—perhaps it is at this point that the Levites are set apart to care for the holy objects of the tabernacle." (Epsc Exodus Volume 2 ) For every man has been against his son and against his brother--in order that He may bestow a blessing upon you today - The blessing of obedience. The obedience was costly as it meant taking the lives of fellow Israelites, but it was clearly commanded by God Who is perfectly just and Who determined this payment was just for those 3000 who were slain. Talk about counting the cost! Hamilton - In retelling this in Deuteronomy, Moses leaves out all this messy stuff and simply states, “At that time the LORD set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister and to pronounce blessings in his name” (Deut. 10:8). (Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary) Criswell - The holy zeal of the tribe of Levi was rewarded by their call to serve God at the sanctuary (Ex 38:21; Nu 1:50-53; 8:1-19; 1 Chr. 15:2; 23:24-32). Exodus 32:30 On the next day Moses said to the people, "You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the LORD, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." NET Exodus 32:30 The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a very serious sin, but now I will go up to the LORD– perhaps I can make atonement on behalf of your sin." NLT Exodus 32:30 The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the LORD on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin." ESV Exodus 32:30 The next day Moses said to the people, "You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." NIV Exodus 32:30 The next day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." KJV Exodus 32:30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. LXE Exodus 32:30 And it came to pass after the morrow had begun, that Moses said to the people, Ye have sinned a great sin; and now I will go up to God, that I may make atonement for your sin. ASV Exodus 32:30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto Jehovah; peradventure I shall make atonement for your sin. CSB Exodus 32:30 The following day Moses said to the people, "You have committed a grave sin. Now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I will be able to atone for your sin." NKJ Exodus 32:30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, "You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." NRS Exodus 32:30 On the next day Moses said to the people, "You have sinned a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." YLT Exodus 32:30 And it cometh to pass, on the morrow, that Moses saith unto the people, 'Ye -- ye have sinned a great sin, and now I go up unto Jehovah, if so be I atone for your sin.' You yourselves have: Ex 32:31 1Sa 2:17 12:20,23 2Sa 12:9 2Ki 17:21 Lu 7:47 15:18 perhaps: 2Sa 16:12 Am 5:15 Jon 3:9 2Ti 2:25 an atonement: Ex 32:32 Nu 16:47 25:13 Job 42:7,8 Ro 9:3 Ga 3:13 Jas 5:16 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries IDOLATRY A GREAT SIN On the next day - This would have been the day after 3000 were slaughtered. Can you imagine the conversations in the camp that night?! Moses said to the people, "You yourselves have committed a great sin - The literal reading is more emphatic "ye have sinned a great sin." The pronoun you here is the second person plural, which serves to sweep into this accusation the entire nation of Israel! "There is a communal liability." (Currid) Moses calls this a great sin three times (Ex 32:21, Ex 32:30, 31) In Ge 20:9 the term refers to adultery. Here (and in the only other use in 2 Ki 17:21) the term refers to idolatry, which is a form of adultery. Why? Because God was Israel's Husband (Isa 54:5, Jer 31:32+) and to worship another "god" was to commit adultery. And now I am going up to the LORD, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin - Now watch the empathy and compassion of the man Moses. Yes he called their sin sin, in fact great sin, but he is not willing to leave them wallowing in their sin! He will seek to extirpate them from their sinful state before Jehovah. Notice the word perhaps which introduces a note of uncertainty about how God will respond and as we see God responds by saying "No!" Atonement is kapar which means to make atonement, to make reconciliation (to reconcile), to purge, to make propitiation (to propitiate), to pacify, to cancel. Kapar is translated in the Septuagint with the verb is exilaskomai which is from the root hilaskomai which means to cause to be favorably inclined toward or favorably disposed toward another (as in Lk 18:13+). Hamilton on perhaps - That he begins with “Perhaps” indicates that Moses has no idea whether God is open to this. Earlier in the chapter he is bold with God to the point of being brazen. Here he hedges his approach with possibility-only language. We cannot say, Gott wird mir verzeihen, das ist sein Beruf (attributed to the German writer Heinrich Heine [d. 1856] as he was on his deathbed, conversing with a priest), commonly translated into French as “Dieu me pardonnera, c’est son métier” (“God will forgive me; that’s his job”)....Yet Moses cannot make atonement for anybody. The priest, acting for God in God’s name, can. Thus in Lev. 4 and 5, for example, the priest takes the blood of the sin and guilt offering and makes “atonement” for the offerer with the result that the offerer is “forgiven” (Lev. 4:20, 26, 31; 5:16, 18). There are so many similarities between Moses and Jesus, from birth to ministry, but at one crucial point the similarity breaks down. As Waltke (2007: 470) says, “But Moses unlike Christ cannot make atonement.” (Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary) Currid on I can make atonement - This verb is a cohortative in Hebrew, a construction that expresses the strong will and desire of the speaker. In other words, Moses is determined to intercede for the Hebrews. (Epsc Exodus Volume 2 ) Moses offered his own life as an atonement for the people (cf. Ro 9:1-3). No more plaintive or bold intercession of man for men is found in the pages of Scripture. God would not accept the blood of Moses, but He did accept the life of His only Son Jesus as an atonement (cf. 1 John 2:2+). Exodus 32:31 Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, "Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. NET Exodus 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has committed a very serious sin, and they have made for themselves gods of gold. NLT Exodus 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a terrible sin these people have committed. They have made gods of gold for themselves. ESV Exodus 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. NIV Exodus 32:31 So Moses went back to the LORD and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. KJV Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. LXE Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned to the Lord and said, I pray, O Lord, this people has sinned a great sin, and they have made for themselves golden gods. ASV Exodus 32:31 And Moses returned unto Jehovah, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. CSB Exodus 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Oh, these people have committed a grave sin; they have made a god of gold for themselves. NKJ Exodus 32:31 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! NRS Exodus 32:31 So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin; they have made for themselves gods of gold. YLT Exodus 32:31 And Moses turneth back unto Jehovah, and saith, 'Oh this people hath sinned a great sin, that they make to themselves a god of gold; returned: Ex 34:28 De 9:18,19 sin: Ex 32:30 Ezr 9:6,7,15 Ne 9:33 Da 9:5,8,11 made: Ex 20:4,23 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES BEGINS WITH CONFESSION Then Moses returned to the LORD - Once again Moses the mediator treks up the mountain. And said, "Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves - God knew this. It seems to be in essence a confession by Moses for the people. He was certainly not guilty for he was not even present when the great sin (of idolatry) took place. Moses calls their sin what it is - great. He does not sugar coat the people's sin nor attempt to justify it. Alas (0577)(annah) introduces a polite exclamation or request. Others say annah is a strong particle of petition in Hebrew (see Ge 50:17; Dan. 9:4). It is used in the context of humans making requests of God. In 11 of these cases, it is Yahweh who is being addressed. The exception is in Gen. 50:7, where Joseph requests pharaoh to allow him to bury his father in Canaan. In Egyptian society, pharaohs were considered divine. Annah is an "interjection of entreaty meaning I beg you, ah now, alas, or oh. The primary use of the word is to intensify the urgency of request or the gravity of a given situation. It is used to signify the pressing desire for forgiveness (Gen. 50:17); the great weight of sin (Ex. 32:31); earnestness in prayer of petition (2 Ki. 20:3; Neh. 1:5, Jon. 1:14)." (Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament) Annah - 19x in 12v - alas(2), beg(1), beseech(7), earnestly pray(1), O(7), please(1). Gen. 50:17; Exod. 32:31; 2 Ki. 20:3; Neh. 1:5; Neh. 1:11; Ps. 116:4; Ps. 116:16; Ps. 118:25; Isa. 38:3; Dan. 9:4; Jon. 1:14; Jon. 4:2 Stray Hearts These people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! —Exodus 32:31 Today's Scripture: Exodus 32:21-35 Last fall, an expressway in my city was shut down for several hours because a cattle truck had overturned. The cattle had escaped and were roaming across the highway. Seeing this news story about stray cattle made me think of something I had recently studied in Exodus 32 about the people of God who strayed from Him. In the divided kingdom of ancient Israel, King Jeroboam erected two golden calves for the people to worship (1 Kings 12:25-32). But the idea of worshiping hunks of gold had not originated with him. Even after escaping brutal slavery and having seen the Lord’s power and glory mightily displayed, the Israelites had quickly allowed their hearts to stray from Him (Ex. 32). While Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the law from the Lord, his brother Aaron helped God’s people stray by constructing an idol in the shape of a golden calf. The writer of Hebrews reminds us of God’s anger over this idolatry and those who “go astray in their heart” (Heb. 3:10). God knows that our hearts have a tendency to stray. His Word makes it clear that He is the Lord and that we are to worship “no other gods” (Ex. 20:2-6). Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, Seal it for Thy courts above. —Robinson As long as you want anything very much, especially more than you want God, it is an idol. —A. B. Simpson Exodus 32:32 "But now, if You will, forgive their sin--and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!" NET Exodus 32:32 But now, if you will forgive their sin…, but if not, wipe me out from your book that you have written." NLT Exodus 32:32 But now, if you will only forgive their sin-- but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!" ESV Exodus 32:32 But now, if you will forgive their sin-- but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written." NIV Exodus 32:32 But now, please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." KJV Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. LXE Exodus 32:32 And now if thou wilt forgive their sin, forgive it; and if not, blot me out of thy book, which thou hast written. ASV Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin -- ; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. CSB Exodus 32:32 Now if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please erase me from the book You have written." NKJ Exodus 32:32 "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin-- but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." NRS Exodus 32:32 But now, if you will only forgive their sin-- but if not, blot me out of the book that you have written." YLT Exodus 32:32 and now, if Thou takest away their sin -- and if not -- blot me, I pray thee, out of Thy book which Thou hast written.' if thou: Nu 14:19 Da 9:18,19 Am 7:2 Lu 23:34 blot me: Ex 32:10 De 9:14 25:19 29:20 Ps 56:8 69:28 139:16 Eze 13:9 Da 12:1 Ro 9:3 Php 4:3 Rev 3:5 17:8 21:27 22:19 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MOSES SEEKS TO GIVE HIS LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE'S SIN But now, if You will, forgive their sin--and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written - Moses follows his confession (preceding passage) with a plea to Yahweh. Earlier Moses asked that the people not be destroyed and now he asks for their forgiveness. Moses' desire is commendable and amazing. But not man (other than the Man Christ Jesus, a better Mediator of a better covenant) can give his life for another. The psalmist writes " No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him– For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever." (Ps 49:7,8) Currid comments "As Childs says, ‘But with God Moses is prepared to exchange his life for their forgiveness.’ In other words, the prophet is offering his life as an atonement (32:30) on behalf of the people." (Epsc Exodus Volume 2 ) NET Note on blot - The word “wipe” is a figure of speech indicating “remove me” (meaning he wants to die). The translation “blot” is traditional, but not very satisfactory, since it does not convey complete removal. Victor Hamilton - Thus it appears that while Moses is eminently successful with his intercession recorded in Ex 32:11–13, he is not successful at all with his intercession recorded in Ex 32:31–32. To the first prayer, God says, “Yes!” To the second prayer, God says, “No!” He will nāḥam but not nāśāʾ. Israel will have continued existence, but not immediate expiation, at least not yet. (Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary) MacArthur - Nothing more strongly marked the love of Moses for his people than his sincere willingness to offer up his own life rather than see them disinherited and destroyed. The book to which Moses referred, the psalmist entitled “the book of life” (Ps 69:28). Untimely or premature death would constitute being blotted out of the book. The Apostle Paul displayed a similar passionate devotion for his kinsmen (Ro 9:1–3). (BORROW The MacArthur Study Bible ) NET Note on Your book - The book that is referred to here should not be interpreted as the NT “book of life” (SEE THIS LINK WHICH DOES NOT AGREE WITH THE NET INTERPRETATION) which is portrayed (figuratively) as a register of all the names of the saints who are redeemed and will inherit eternal life. Here it refers to the names of those who are living and serving in this life, whose names, it was imagined, were on the roster in the heavenly courts as belonging to the chosen. Moses would rather die than live if these people are not forgiven (S. R. Driver, Exodus, 356). Allen Ross explains that "The reference to the “book of life” is not here the same idea as in the New Testament. (BUT Tony Garland in his article NT “book of life” DOES NOT AGREE) Here it is referring to the living, not eternal life. The LORD would destroy the guilty with death, but yields to Moses' appeal for a putting off of the punishment. The “book” is of course figurative, for God does not keep books-he is omniscient." Blot out (wipe)(04229)(machah) means to twipe, to wipe out and is often connected with divine judgment as with God wiping out all life in the flood (Ge 6:7, Ge 7:23); Amalek (Ex 17:14+), destroying Jerusalem (2 Ki 21:13); threatening to wipe out Israel's name (Dt. 9:14). Ps. 51:1 = "blot out my transgressions"; Ps. 51:9 = "blot out all my iniquities. " Ps 69:28 = " May they be blotted out of the book of life." The Septuagint (Lxx) translates machah here with the verb exaleipho means literally to completely wipe off. Literally exaleipho means to remove by wiping off, as when a blackboard is erased. The word was applied to the process of obliterating writing on any material. Some of the uses in Scripture retain this literal meaning but most uses speak of a figurative blotting out or wiping off. The idea in all the uses is to cause something to cease by obliterating or eliminating any evidence. Twice in the Revelation God promises He will wipe away every tear (Exaleipho is used only 5x in NT = Acts 3:19+; Col. 2:14+; Rev. 3:5+; Rev. 7:17+; Rev. 21:4+). A number of uses in both OT (Septuagint) and the NT use this verb to describe the blotting out or wiping away of sins. Exaleipho was used by Thucydides of whitewashing a wall. Related Resources: New Testament “book of life” - Lengthy discussion by Tony Garland emphasizing the meaning of the Book of Life as used in the Revelation What is the Book of Life? - Gotquestions.org Is there a difference between the book of life and the Lamb’s book of life? - Gotquestions.org THOUGHT - Book of Life is found 8x in the Bible, once in a psalm by David and most in the book of the Revelation - Ps. 69:28; Phil. 4:3; Rev. 3:5; Rev. 13:8; Rev. 17:8; Rev. 20:12; Rev. 20:15; Rev. 21:27 There are two interpretations of the the meaning of the Book of Life - As I have studied these writings, it seems the critical passage to understand in Psalm 69:28, because there is no question that all of the NT references refer to the same book, whether it is called the Lamb's book of life or just the "book of life." And the significance is that no name written in the NT uses of the "book of life" can be or will ever be erased. The NT use speaks clearly of the important doctrine of eternal security in Christ. That said, here is Psalm 69:28 "May they be blotted out of the book of life And may they not be recorded with the righteous." Now, a simple reading of David's words suggest that there is a book from which names can be blotted out. Moses' statement "please blot me out from Your book which You have written" would seem to support that a name in this particular book can be blotted out. But again from the NT we know that no name in the Book of Life can be blotted out. So what gives? Why does David ask God to blot names out of the book of life? David seems to be implying that names could be blotted out of the book of life to which he refers. Moses' plea to blot him out of the book would lead to a similar conclusion. So what is the answer? One answer to that that David's book of life is not the same as the book of life in the NT. Here is a quote from the NET note on Ex 32:32 says "The phrase the scroll of the living occurs only here in the OT. It pictures a scroll or census list containing the names of the citizens of a community. When an individual died, that person’s name was removed from the list. So this curse is a very vivid way of asking that the enemies die. This curse pictures a scroll in which God records the names of his loyal followers. The psalmist makes the point that his enemies have no right to be included in this list of the godly." (See John MacArthur's similar note) The NET Note (and Dr MacArthur's comment) would tend to support the premise that the two books are different. Personally that is what I favor but will not be dogmatic. However I will be dogmatic about the fact that a person's name in the book of life in the NT signifies eternal security and that is the most important take away in my humble opinion. Exodus 32:33 The LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. NET Exodus 32:33 The LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me– that person I will wipe out of my book. NLT Exodus 32:33 But the LORD replied to Moses, "No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me. ESV Exodus 32:33 But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book. NIV Exodus 32:33 The LORD replied to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. KJV Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. LXE Exodus 32:33 And the Lord said to Moses, If any one has sinned against me, I will blot them out of my book. ASV Exodus 32:33 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book. CSB Exodus 32:33 The LORD replied to Moses: "I will erase whoever has sinned against Me from My book. NKJ Exodus 32:33 And the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. NRS Exodus 32:33 But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. YLT Exodus 32:33 And Jehovah saith unto Moses, 'Whoso hath sinned against Me -- I blot him out of My book; sinned: Lev 23:30 Ps 69:28 Eze 18:4 my book: Ps 109:13,14 Php 4:3 Rev 13:8 Rev 20:12 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries GOD'S ANSWER TO THIS PRAYER IS "NO!" The LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book - God answered Moses prayer affirmatively to not destroy the entire nation, but now He refuses to say "Yes" to Moses' further intercession for these people. Jehovah would not accept Moses' offer of his being blotted out of the book, but instead says the sinners would be blotted out. In short, they would lose their lives. (See note on v33 regarding Book of Life). Notice the whoever which speaks of individuals who will be held responsible. Then in verse 34 the phrase I will punish them for their sin speaks of a collective liability. Notice also the phrase Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book would imply that one who sins against Jehovah can be blotted out of His book (God calls it "My book.") This would seem support that this is not the same as the book of life in the NT because names cannot be removed from the book of life. But again I will avoid being dogmatic about one or two books of life! Kaiser - Thus the OT principle is reaffirmed: the person who sins is accountable for his own sin (cf. Deut 24:16; Ezek 18:4, 13, 17). (EBC-Ex) Currid on the book - There are various types of heavenly books mentioned in the Old Testament. In Malachi 3:16, a document appears called the ‘book of remembrances’, in which are written the names and deeds of those who fear Yahweh. A second book or scroll with prophecies of blessings and curses is referred to a number of times (e.g., Zech. 5:1–5). And, finally, there is a book of life in which God inscribes the names of those who belong to him (Ps. 69:28). (Epsc Exodus Volume 2 ) Exodus 32:34 "But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin." NET Exodus 32:34 So now go, lead the people to the place I have spoken to you about. See, my angel will go before you. But on the day that I punish, I will indeed punish them for their sin." NLT Exodus 32:34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about. Look! My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins." ESV Exodus 32:34 But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them." NIV Exodus 32:34 Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin." KJV Exodus 32:34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. LXE Exodus 32:34 And now go, descend, and lead this people into the place of which I spoke to thee: behold, my angel shall go before thy face; and in the day when I shall visit I will bring upon them their sin. ASV Exodus 32:34 And now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine angel shall go before thee; nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them. CSB Exodus 32:34 Now go, lead the people to the place I told you about; see, My angel will go before you. But on the day I settle accounts, I will hold them accountable for their sin." NKJ Exodus 32:34 "Now therefore, go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, My Angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit for punishment, I will visit punishment upon them for their sin." NRS Exodus 32:34 But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; see, my angel shall go in front of you. Nevertheless, when the day comes for punishment, I will punish them for their sin." YLT Exodus 32:34 and now, go, lead the people whithersoever I have spoken to thee of; lo, My messenger goeth before thee, and in the day of my charging -- then I have charged upon them their sin.' my Angel: Ex 23:20 33:2,14,15 Nu 20:16 Isa 63:9 the day: Ex 20:5 Nu 14:27-30 De 32:35 Jer 5:9,29 Am 3:14 Mt 23:35 Ro 2:4-6 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries But - Term of contrast. In contrast to attempting to atone for Israel's past sins, God wants Moses to move Israel out from Mount Sinai and toward the goal of the promised land. Go now, lead the people where I told you - Note Jehovah calls Moses to lead the people. He was to lead them where He had told him, i.e., to the promised land of Canaan. In Ex 33:1+ Jehovah repeats the command to "depart, go up" and here He gives the specific destination - "the land of which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Abrahamic Covenant), saying, ‘To your descendants I will give it.’" Lead (05148)(nachah) means to lead, to guide, usually in the right direction or on the proper path. Conducting of one along the right path. We encounter this verb referring to God leading in ex 13:21 = "LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud (Angel of the LORD) by day to lead them on the way," In Neh 9:12 we see a parallel description "And with a pillar of cloud You led them by day, And with a pillar of fire by night To light for them the way In which they were to go." In Neh 9;19 = "You, in Your great compassion, Did not forsake them in the wilderness; The pillar of cloud did not leave them by day, To guide them on their way, Nor the pillar of fire by night, to light for them the way in which they were to go. " Baker - "The verb sometimes occurs with a human subject (Ex. 32:34; Ps. 60:9]; 108:10); however, it usually appears with the Lord as the subject (Gen. 24:27; Ex. 13:17; 15:13). This term is also used metaphorically to represent spiritual guidance in righteousness (Ps. 5:8; 27:11; 139:24). This term also carries a connotation of treating kindly (Job 31:18); blessing (Ps. 23:3); deliverance (Ps. 31:3); protection (Ps. 61:2); or wisdom (Ps. 73:24)." (Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament) Gilbrant - Most frequently it is the Lord Who is "leading" or "guiding." For example, many of the Psalms contain prayers that ask the Lord for guidance. Psalm 23 proclaims, "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake." In the wilderness wanderings, God was in the pillar of fire and the cloud of smoke which led Israel (Exo. 13:21). Psalm 67:4 exhorts the nations to worship the Lord because He will one day judge and govern (i.e., "graciously lead").Elsewhere, godly character and integrity serve to "guide" the upright throughout their lives (Prov. 11:3). The commandments of the Lord also serve to guide humans (Prov. 6:22). Job 31:18 speaks of "guiding" widows, that is, treating them with kindness and compassion. The imagery here is of shepherding, of leading them in a direction to aid them, rather than to take advantage of them. Figuratively speaking, Ps. 5:8 is a plea for guidance into righteous living. Occasionally, nāchāh may be understood as "to lead away as captive," "to herd away" to some set destination (Job 12:23; Ps. 107:30). (Complete Biblical Library Hebrew-English Dictionary) Nachah - 39x in 39v - brings(1), brought(1), guide(7), guided(6), guides(1), lead(14), leads(1), led(5), left(1), put(1), stationed(1). Gen. 24:27; Gen. 24:48; Ex 13:17; Ex 13:21; Ex 15:13; Ex 32:34; Num. 23:7; Deut. 32:12; 1 Sam. 22:4; 1 Ki. 10:26; 2 Ki. 18:11; Neh. 9:12; Neh. 9:19; Job 12:23; Job 31:18; Job 38:32; Ps. 5:8; Ps. 23:3; Ps. 27:11; Ps. 31:3; Ps. 43:3; Ps. 60:9; Ps. 61:2; Ps. 67:4; Ps. 73:24; Ps. 77:20; Ps. 78:14; Ps. 78:53; Ps. 78:72; Ps. 107:30; Ps. 108:10; Ps. 139:10; Ps. 139:24; Ps. 143:10; Prov. 6:22; Prov. 11:3; Prov. 18:16; Isa. 57:18; Isa. 58:11 Behold, (hinneh) My angel shall go before you - Who is My angel? I think this is the Angel of the LORD which refers to a Christophany. So while Moses was to lead, Jehovah's Angel would go in front giving Moses guidance. Kaiser adds "Whereas in the past the Lord had led (Ex 12:42, 51; 13:17; 15:13; 20:2) and Moses was only his servant, from then on Moses and an angel were to lead (v.34)." THOUGHT- Follow the leader who follows the Angel was true then, and is still true today! Dear pastor, are you following the Angel? nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin - This reads more literally in the 1901 ASV as 'nevertheless in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them." (See notes on word study below as to why "visit" is here translated "punish"). One might ask when was this delayed punishment meted out? While we cannot be dogmatic, the next 40 years of wilderness wandering would see all the first generation (all that participated in this golden calf sin) die in the desert and fail to enter the promised land. This would seem to qualify as punishing them for their sin. Sin has consequences and though the punishment may be delayed, it will one day be meted out, unless one places his or her faith in the Sin Bearer, the Messiah (1 Peter 2:24). NET Note - The Law said that God would not clear the guilty. But here the punishment is postponed to some future date when he would revisit this matter. Others have taken the line to mean that whenever a reckoning was considered necessary, then this sin would be included (see B. Jacob, Exodus, 957). The repetition of the verb traditionally rendered “visit” in both clauses puts emphasis on the certainty—so “indeed.” Punish (visit) (06485)(paqad) conveys the root idea of something that is attended to or set in order -- fighting men under an officer (2 Chr. 17:14), priests in an order (1 Chr. 23:11; 24:19); arrangement of Tabernacle (Nu 4:16[2x]) “visit, turn one’s thoughts/attention” to somebody. See Ge. 21:1KJV, “The LORD visited Sarah”; Exod. 4:31, the Lord visited (KJV; NIV, “was concerned about”) his people in Egypt; 1 Sa 2:21, the Lord visited (KJV; NIV, “was gracious to”) Hannah. But when the preposition ʿal follows the verb, as here, it takes the meaning “punish, count against, hold accountable for.” Hence, in the second commandment the Lord “punishes” (pāqad ʿal) the children for the sin of the fathers (Exod. 20:5; Deut. 5:9). "A visit from God may be motivated either by his loving concern or by his jealous wrath. God may turn his attention to us when we most need Him, or when He is the last individual we want around." (Hamilton) Exodus 32:35 Then the LORD smote the people, because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made. NET Exodus 32:35 And the LORD sent a plague on the people because they had made the calf– the one Aaron made. NLT Exodus 32:35 Then the LORD sent a great plague upon the people because they had worshiped the calf Aaron had made. ESV Exodus 32:35 Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made. NIV Exodus 32:35 And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. KJV Exodus 32:35 And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. LXE Exodus 32:35 And the Lord smote the people for the making the calf, which Aaron made. ASV Exodus 32:35 And Jehovah smote the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. CSB Exodus 32:35 And the LORD inflicted a plague on the people for what they did with the calf Aaron had made. NKJ Exodus 32:35 So the LORD plagued the people because of what they did with the calf which Aaron made. NRS Exodus 32:35 Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf-- the one that Aaron made. YLT Exodus 32:35 And Jehovah plagueth the people, because they made the calf which Aaron made. Ex 32:25 2Sa 12:9,10 Mt 27:3-7 Ac 1:18 7:41 Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WHEN IS THEN? This is a very difficult verse to interpret. One writer says “For this archetypal sin of the Golden Calf, a free-floating prospect of further retribution would seem to hover over the people like a dark shadow.” (Alter) Then - Normally then is a time phrase marking progression. But this "then" is an enigma. When is then? The context does not really disclose when then will occur. The LORD smote the people ("the LORD sent a plague"), because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made - Note that the verb they did is the same verb as had made. As Currid reasons this repetition shows "that the two were co-conspirators in the golden calf incident and that they were equally responsible." (Epsc Exodus Volume 2 ) Hamilton on smote - Afflicted” (nāgap) is the verb Exod. 7:27 and 12:23, 27 use for the Lord’s “afflicting/plaguing” Egypt. Does the verse refer to something that happens right there and then, or is it a prophetic word?...We started this chapter by suggesting that Exod. 32 is the account of Israel’s “original sin” and fall from grace. If, as Christian theology maintains, the effects or fallout from Adam’s sin extend far beyond Adam, then the effects or fallouts from the sin of the calf makers extend far beyond the calf makers. (Exodus: An Exegetical Commentary) NET Note - The verse is difficult because of the double reference to the making of the calf. The NJPS’s translation tries to reconcile the two by reading “for what they did with the calf that Aaron had made.” B. S. Childs (Exodus [OTL], 557) explains in some detail why this is not a good translation based on syntactical grounds; he opts for the conclusion that the last three words are a clumsy secondary addition. It seems preferable to take the view that both are true, Aaron is singled out for his obvious lead in the sin, but the people sinned by instigating the whole thing. Most commentators have difficulty with this verse. W. C. Kaiser says the strict chronology is not always kept explaining "The order of events is probably not in strict chronological sequence; hence the plague may well be the slaughter of the three thousand mentioned in v.28. The plague came on the people because they caused the calf to be made or asked for it. Frequently in Scripture events may be directly attributed to people when they only occasioned them since the one could implicate the many as a member of a community, just as today one traitor could compromise a whole army or nation." (EBC-Ex) BIBLIOGRAPHY - Resources Quoted in Commentary Exodus 32 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries James Bruckner - Exodus (Understanding the Bible Commentary Umberto Cassuto - A Commentary on the Book of Exodus Alan