Commentary by Rev. Matt Wolfington.
(Sorry, folks. Monday is my Sabbath.)
Question, to which there is no common answer: Can your prayers, supplications, cries, etc…change the mind of God? Hmmm….
Chapter 32 is a recollection of the people breaking their covenant with God. Chapter 34 is a recollection of the covenant’s restoration. The the tablets are smashed in chapter 32, but then restored in chapter 34. Chapter 32 shows disobedience to God by the people; chapter 33 highlights the presence of God and then chapter 34….God’s forgiveness. Sounds like my life! How about yours?
Moses is away from the people of Israel only a little while (maximum total of 40 days and nights) and they begin to lose sight of their faith and forget what God has done for them and how He has shown Himself to them. Even Aaron (granted, in the face of an angry mob) caves in. They break their covenant with God and break at least the first 3 of the new commandments they have been given! The worship of an idol has led them to other sins. I would say that spiritual amnesia has set in (I always say it just takes me about 24 hours to forget the movement of God even in my own life). Rebellion takes place. Overall, I would say that this is the resilient nature of sin in our humanness.
I studied this passage a while back at Asbury and remember this question: “Does a Holy God have a right to be jealous?” The answer is, “Yes.” 1) He redeemed them and divine terms were agreed upon. 2) Jealousy is appropriate when it protects a proper relationship. Finally, Moses break the tablets, which is symbolic of the people breaking the covenant.
Moses shoes his ability to care for the people, his own gifts of mercy, wisdom, faith, knowing, miracles, and discernment by negotiating a redeemed relationship between God and the people of Israel. God redeems the people, with Moses as the mediator between the two. This redeemed covenant has two distinct differences from the first covenant: 1) God (Yahweh) makes a character assessment of himself: patient, loving, faithful and just (34:6-7). After all, He did forgive direct sin against Him when the people repented. Secondly, Moses’ role as the mediator is greatly revealed. He did have a glowing face, did he not?
Deuteronomy reading: The whole scenario is offered as a reminder to the people of Israel to persuade them to turn away from their self-righteousness and sinfulness. It shows that intercession (Moses), repentance and forgiveness are the covenant of love. The reminder of the golden calf incident is not about the idol itself, but the revealing mercy and love of God. The defining moment here is the idea that loving God is about fear, respect, and obedience. I would say it in the way that our faith is supposed to be from within us and works out in the world.
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