A Journey through the Bible with Tiglath

17. Exodus Chapter 32 verse 15 to the end of Chapter 34.

While Aaron was making the golden calf, Moses was on Mount Sinai and

descended from the mountain carrying two tablets of stone, inscribed with the

Ten Commandments. At some point he was joined by Joshua. They both

heard the noise of the people singing and dancing as they worshipped the

golden calf. Moses was so angry that he cast down the two tablets, smashed

them and demanded an explanation from Aaron as to what was going on. The

sin had to be punished and if you read verses 26 to 29 you will discover how

this was done.

Moses asks God to pardon the people. God replies that the day will come

when He will punish them for their sins, but, for the time being, an angel will

lead them to the place he has promised. In verse 3 of chapter 33 we hear the

description of the Promised Land as a land, “flowing with milk and honey”.

God told the people that he would not be journeying with them in case he

annihilated them. Moses was still in favour with God and visited him in the

Tent of the Presence (described in verses 8 to 11.)

Moses asks God to go with his people in person if he, Moses, has found

favour with him. God agrees to do this in verse 14. Moses asks God to show

him his Glory in verses 18 to 23. learn the name of God – JEHOVAH – a god compassionate and gracious, long suffering, ever constant and true, maintaining constancy to thousands, forgiving iniquity, rebellion and sin, and not sweeping the guilty clean away; but one who punishes sons and grandsons to the third and fourth

generation for the iniquity of their fathers.

Verses 10 to 26 are interesting and deserve close study as they describe the

Covenant made between God and his people. In these verses elements of the

Ten Commandments are restated.

Moses stayed on Mount Sinai forty days and forty nights neither eating or

drinking. The Ten Commandments were re-inscribed and Moses descended

from Mount Sinai with his face shining because he had been speaking with

God. He then called all the people together and put before them all the

commands which he had received from God.