Even when they cast for themselves an image of a calf and said, 'This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,' and when they committed terrible blasphemies, Even when they cast for themselves an image of a calfThis phrase refers to the infamous incident of the golden calf, as recorded in Exodus 32. The Hebrew word for "cast" (עָשָׂה, asah) implies the act of making or fashioning, indicating a deliberate creation of an idol. The "calf" (עֵגֶל, egel) was a common symbol in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often representing strength and fertility. This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the first two commandments, highlighting the Israelites' quick departure from their covenant with God. Archaeological findings have uncovered similar calf idols in the region, underscoring the cultural influences that may have tempted the Israelites. and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’
The declaration "This is your God" (זֶה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, zeh elohecha) is a profound example of misplaced worship. The Israelites attributed their miraculous deliverance from Egypt to a man-made object, demonstrating a severe lapse in faith and understanding. The phrase "brought you up out of Egypt" (הֶעֱלֶךָ מִמִּצְרָיִם, he'elecha mimmitsrayim) is a recurring reminder of God's power and faithfulness throughout the Old Testament. This misattribution of divine acts to an idol is a stark reminder of the human tendency to forget God's past faithfulness in times of uncertainty. and when they committed terrible blasphemies
The term "blasphemies" (נִאֲצוּ, ni'atsu) in Hebrew conveys a sense of contempt or insult towards God. The use of "terrible" (גְּדוֹלוֹת, gedolot) emphasizes the gravity of their sin. This phrase captures the essence of the Israelites' rebellion, not just in action but in heart and attitude. Blasphemy, in this context, is not merely about spoken words but encompasses actions that defy and dishonor God. Historically, this incident serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of turning away from God, reminding believers of the importance of steadfast faith and reverence. Persons / Places / Events 1. The IsraelitesThe people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt but fell into idolatry. 2. MosesThe leader chosen by God to bring the Israelites out of Egypt, who was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law when the idolatry occurred. 3. AaronMoses' brother, who was left in charge and facilitated the creation of the golden calf. 4. Mount SinaiThe place where Moses received the Ten Commandments from God. 5. The Golden CalfAn idol made by the Israelites, representing a significant act of rebellion against God. Teaching Points The Danger of ImpatienceThe Israelites' impatience led them to idolatry. We must learn to wait on God's timing and trust His plans. Leadership AccountabilityAaron's failure to stand firm highlights the importance of godly leadership and accountability. The Consequences of IdolatryIdolatry leads to spiritual and communal decay. We must guard our hearts against modern forms of idolatry. God's Mercy and ForgivenessDespite their rebellion, God showed mercy. We should be grateful for God's forgiveness and strive to live righteously. The Importance of RemembranceRemembering past failures helps us avoid repeating them. Reflect on personal and communal history to grow in faith. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the incident of the golden calf teach us about the human tendency to seek tangible representations of God? 2. How can we identify and resist modern forms of idolatry in our lives today? 3. In what ways can impatience with God's timing lead us away from His will, and how can we cultivate patience? 4. How does Aaron's role in the golden calf incident inform our understanding of leadership and accountability in the church? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's mercy despite your shortcomings. How can this remembrance strengthen your faith and commitment to God? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 32This chapter provides the detailed account of the golden calf incident, highlighting the Israelites' impatience and Aaron's role in the idolatry. Deuteronomy 9Moses recounts the incident, emphasizing the people's rebellion and God's mercy. Acts 7:41Stephen references the golden calf incident in his speech, illustrating Israel's history of resisting God's will. 1 Corinthians 10:7Paul warns the Corinthians against idolatry, using the golden calf incident as an example of what not to do. People Abram, Amorites, Bani, Bunni, Canaanites, Chenani, Egyptians, Ezra, Girgashite, Girgashites, Hashabniah, Hittites, Hodiah, Hodijah, Israelites, Jebusites, Jeshua, Kadmiel, Levites, Og, Perizzites, Pethahiah, Pharaoh, Shebaniah, Sherebiah, SihonPlaces Assyria, Bashan, Egypt, Gate of Ephraim, Heshbon, Mount Sinai, Red Sea, UrTopics Angry, Awful, Blasphemies, Calf, Committed, Despisings, Egypt, Image, Metal, Molten, Ox, Provocation, Provocations, Themselves, Wrought, Yea, YesDictionary of Bible Themes Nehemiah 9:16-18 1025 God, anger of
4618 calf Nehemiah 9:16-20 6667 grace, in OT Nehemiah 9:16-29 5170 neck Nehemiah 9:16-31 6223 rebellion, of Israel Library The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength. Neh 9:10
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John Newton—Olney HymnsQuestions About the Nature and Perpetuity of the Seventh-Day Sabbath.
AND PROOF, THAT THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK IS THE TRUE CHRISTIAN SABBATH. BY JOHN BUNYAN. 'The Son of man is lord also of the Sabbath day.' London: Printed for Nath, Ponder, at the Peacock in the Poultry, 1685. EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. All our inquiries into divine commands are required to be made personally, solemnly, prayerful. To 'prove all things,' and 'hold fast' and obey 'that which is good,' is a precept, equally binding upon the clown, as it is upon the philosopher. Satisfied from our observations …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be Moral.
1. Because all the reasons of this commandment are moral and perpetual; and God has bound us to the obedience of this commandment with more forcible reasons than to any of the rest--First, because he foresaw that irreligious men would either more carelessly neglect, or more boldly break this commandment than any other; secondly, because that in the practice of this commandment the keeping of all the other consists; which makes God so often complain that all his worship is neglected or overthrown, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
To realise the state of religious society at the time of our Lord, the fact that the Pharisees were a regular "order," and that there were many such "fraternities," in great measure the outcome of the original Pharisees, must always be kept in view. For the New Testament simply transports us among contemporary scenes and actors, taking the then existent state of things, so to speak, for granted. But the fact referred to explains many seemingly strange circumstances, and casts fresh light upon all. …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair, My Love; There is no Spot in Thee. " --Song of Solomon iv. 7.
FRAGRANT SPICES FROM THE MOUNTAINS OF MYRRH. HOW marvellous are these words! "Thou art all fair, My love; there is no spot in thee." The glorious Bridegroom is charmed with His spouse, and sings soft canticles of admiration. When the bride extols her Lord there is no wonder, for He deserves it well, and in Him there is room for praise without possibility of flattery. But does He who is wiser than Solomon condescend to praise this sunburnt Shulamite? Tis even so, for these are His own words, and were …
Charles Hadden Spurgeon—Till He Come The Personality of the Holy Spirit.
Before one can correctly understand the work of the Holy Spirit, he must first of all know the Spirit Himself. A frequent source of error and fanaticism about the work of the Holy Spirit is the attempt to study and understand His work without first of all coming to know Him as a Person. It is of the highest importance from the standpoint of worship that we decide whether the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, worthy to receive our adoration, our faith, our love, and our entire surrender to Himself, …
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit The Early Life of Malachy. Having Been Admitted to Holy Orders He Associates with Malchus
[Sidenote: 1095.] 1. Our Malachy, born in Ireland,[134] of a barbarous people, was brought up there, and there received his education. But from the barbarism of his birth he contracted no taint, any more than the fishes of the sea from their native salt. But how delightful to reflect, that uncultured barbarism should have produced for us so worthy[135] a fellow-citizen with the saints and member of the household of God.[136] He who brings honey out of the rock and oil out of the flinty rock[137] …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh The Prophecy of Obadiah.
We need not enter into details regarding the question as to the time when the prophet wrote. By a thorough argumentation, Caspari has proved, that he occupies his right position in the Canon, and hence belongs to the earliest age of written prophecy, i.e., to the time of Jeroboam II. and Uzziah. As bearing conclusively against those who would assign to him a far later date, viz., the time of the exile, there is not only the indirect testimony borne by the place which this prophecy occupies in …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments Of Immediate Revelation.
Of Immediate Revelation. [29] Seeing no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom the Son revealeth him; and seeing the revelation of the Son is in and by the Spirit; therefore the testimony of the Spirit is that alone by which the true knowledge of God hath been, is, and can be only revealed; who as, by the moving of his own Spirit, he disposed the chaos of this world into that wonderful order in which it was in the beginning, and created man a living soul, to rule and govern it, so by …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
[Sidenote: Influences in the exile that produced written ceremonial laws] The Babylonian exile gave a great opportunity and incentive to the further development of written law. While the temple stood, the ceremonial rites and customs received constant illustration, and were transmitted directly from father to son in the priestly families. Hence, there was little need of writing them down. But when most of the priests were carried captive to Babylonia, as in 597 B.C., and ten years later the temple …
Charles Foster Kent—The Origin & Permanent Value of the Old Testament The Holy War,
MADE BY SHADDAI UPON DIABOLUS, FOR THE REGAINING OF THE METROPOLIS OF THE WORLD; OR, THE LOSING AND TAKING AGAIN OF THE TOWN OF MANSOUL. THE AUTHOR OF 'THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS.' 'I have used similitudes.'--Hosea 12:10. London: Printed for Dorman Newman, at the King's Arms in the Poultry; and Benjamin Alsop, at the Angel and Bible in the Poultry, 1682. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. Bunyan's account of the Holy War is indeed an extraordinary book, manifesting a degree of genius, research, and spiritual …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Ezra-Nehemiah
Some of the most complicated problems in Hebrew history as well as in the literary criticism of the Old Testament gather about the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. Apart from these books, all that we know of the origin and early history of Judaism is inferential. They are our only historical sources for that period; and if in them we have, as we seem to have, authentic memoirs, fragmentary though they be, written by the two men who, more than any other, gave permanent shape and direction to Judaism, then …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Nehemiah 9:18 NIVNehemiah 9:18 NLTNehemiah 9:18 ESVNehemiah 9:18 NASBNehemiah 9:18 KJV
Nehemiah 9:18 Commentaries
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