Exodus 32:25-29 (ESV)

And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.’ So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”

And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD's side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 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.’” And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. 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.”

Yes, Aaron really said, “I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” That’s so goofy that it’s hard to imagine an adult talking like that. Most three-year-olds do about as well at making up excuses. Then they wonder why their parents are laughing when just seconds before they were angry.

Moses doesn’t even dignify Aaron’s silly comment with a response. He just ignores it and proceeds to execute a terrible judgment on Israel. Aaron has to watch this horror unfold – even participate in it – all the while having second thoughts about what he said to Moses.

Aaron tries to duck responsibility for the golden calf – deflecting the blame to the Israelites. Now Moses is having thousands of Israelites killed. How’s that working out for you, Aaron?

“O, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive!” – Walter Scott

In a way Aaron’s excuse worked perfectly; Moses isn’t blaming him at all. Instead he’s knocking off a bunch of Aaron’s friends and family.

This is one of the key ways that God mocks and humbles us; He’ll give us something we want just to show us how silly and misinformed we are. And this isn’t always some little thing like winning an auction bid for something you desire. You can end up in a job you hate because God said, “yes” to a fervent prayer. You can even marry the wrong person.

Never underestimate how important (and expensive!) sanctification can be. If God is willing to go to the cross over that, you’re not exempt from major pain – especially when He has big plans for you.

The weekly study guides, which include discussion questions, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies