Exodus 32 — Sketch

“Fatal Idolatry” Is Redundant

Big Idea:

• The Israelites become impatient while Moses talks to God on Mount Sinai. They demand that Aaron make them gods to worship.

• Aaron collects jewelry from them and builds a golden calf idol. The next day, the Israelites hold a festival and burn sacrifices to the idol.

• God tells Moses he wants to kill Israel for what they are doing — but He grants Moses’ request for mercy.

• On the way down the mountain, Joshua and Moses hear the Israelites worshipping the idol. Joshua thinks it might be the sound of battle, but Moses knows better.

• When Moses sees Israel worshipping the idol, he smashes the tablets. Then he grinds the golden calf into powder, scatters it on water, and makes the Israelites drink it.

• Aaron blames the Israelites. He claims he tried to burn the gold they gave him, and the idol just popped out of the fire! (Aaron is a lousy liar.)

• Moses arms the Levites and sends them to kill people in the camp. Three thousand Israelites die.

• Moses prays for God to forgive Israel’s idolatry, but God sends a plague against Israel.

Jesus in This Chapter:

The just judgment brought down on Israel for their idolatry is the judgment we all deserve for our sin. It is also the judgment Jesus spared us from by taking our punishment onto Himself on the cross.

(Originally drawn October 19, 2010)