Exodus 32:1

It is worthy of note that Moses’ apparent delay became the occasion of backsliding among the people of God (see Eze. 12:21-28; Hab. 2:2-4; Matt. 25:1-13). Likewise, some will fail to be ready for the Lord when He appears “the second time” (see Heb. 9:28). Many will say in that day, “My lord delayeth his coming,” and give way to wickedness (Matt. 24:45-51; Luke 12:37-48; 2 Peter 3:3-18).

The Israelites feared that their leader, on whom they had come to depend, had forsaken them. So long as they had Moses with them, to encourage them by his exhortations and to support them by his example, they managed to maintain the higher life of the Spirit, to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). When his presence was removed a reaction set in, and the “flesh” triumphed over the “spirit.” Though the cloud of thick darkness into which Moses entered when he ascended the mountain with Joshua could be seen from the plain below, resting upon the mountain peak and illuminated from time to time with lightning from the divine presence, it seemed to many in the camp that Moses had deserted them or had been consumed by the devouring fire. The stage was set for a grievous exhibition of idolatry.

This experience presents another of those striking contrasts so characteristic of the Bible, as, for example, Christ in glory on the mount of transfiguration and His disciples in the valley below in chagrin and defeat (Matt. 17:1-18). Here, while Moses was in the mount receiving the tables of the law, and instructions regarding true worship and the high and holy office of the high priest, the people below were flagrantly disobeying the Lord. Paradoxically, they were led into idolatry by the very man called to minister to the Lord.

Unto Aaron. Had the brother of Moses been strong in faith and character, this unfortunate incident in the history of Israel might have been avoided. Aaron’s weakness of character and spirit of compromise not only rendered his spiritual leadership ineffective but placed him in the position of a leader in rebellion.

Make us gods. Inasmuch as their sojourn in Egypt had accustomed the Hebrews to material forms of deity, it was difficult for them to trust in an invisible God. Though the word for “gods” in Hebrew is ’Elohim, the plural form of the word, some Bible scholars affirm that “gods” here and in vs. 4, 8, and 31 should be translated “a god,” considering that the plural is used intensively to emphasize the fact that the golden calf was a false god in contrast to the Lord, the true God.

Go before us. Weary of waiting so long at Sinai and eager to continue their journey to the Promised Land, the people demanded a visible god at their head to inspire them with confidence and courage (see 1 Sam. 4:3-8). How well it would have been had they used this period of waiting in meditation upon the law of God, and thus prepared their hearts to receive further revelations from Him. Had they done so they would have been able to resist this temptation. To a large extent the spirit of apostasy was generated by the “mixed multitude,” who had joined the Israelites to escape the plagues of Egypt. They were a constant hindrance and a snare to Israel (Ex. 12:38; Num. 11:4). They are to be compared to the “lewd fellows” of Acts 17:5.