Topical Encyclopedia Background:Aaron, the brother of Moses and the first high priest of Israel, plays a significant role in the narrative of the Exodus. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, Aaron was left in charge of the Israelites. This period of waiting led to one of the most infamous incidents in the wilderness journey: the making of the golden calf. Biblical Account: The account of Aaron making the golden calf is found in Exodus 32. The Israelites, growing impatient with Moses' prolonged absence on the mountain, approached Aaron with a demand. They said, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses, who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him" (Exodus 32:1). In response to the people's request, Aaron instructed them to take off the gold earrings that their wives, sons, and daughters were wearing and bring them to him. Aaron then took the gold, melted it down, and fashioned it into a calf. The people declared, "These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). Aaron built an altar in front of the calf and proclaimed, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD" (Exodus 32:5). The following day, the people rose early, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings. They sat down to eat and drink and rose up to revel (Exodus 32:6). Divine Reaction: While this was happening, God informed Moses of the people's corruption, saying, "Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves" (Exodus 32:7). God expressed His anger and intention to destroy the people, but Moses interceded on their behalf, pleading for mercy. Moses' Confrontation: Upon descending the mountain and witnessing the idolatry, Moses' anger burned hot. He threw down the tablets of the covenant, breaking them at the foot of the mountain. Moses took the calf, burned it with fire, ground it to powder, scattered it on the water, and made the Israelites drink it (Exodus 32:19-20). Moses confronted Aaron, asking, "What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?" (Exodus 32:21). Aaron attempted to deflect responsibility, explaining that the people were set on evil and that he merely cast the gold into the fire, and out came the calf (Exodus 32:22-24). Consequences: The incident of the golden calf had severe consequences. Moses stood at the gate of the camp and called for those who were on the LORD's side to come to him. The Levites gathered around him, and at Moses' command, they went through the camp, killing about three thousand men (Exodus 32:26-28). Moses then returned to the LORD, seeking atonement for the people's sin, but God sent a plague upon the people because of what they had done with the calf Aaron had made (Exodus 32:30-35). Significance: The making of the golden calf is a pivotal moment in Israel's history, highlighting themes of idolatry, leadership failure, and divine judgment. Aaron's role in the incident is often scrutinized, as it contrasts with his later position as high priest. The event serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of impatience and the temptation to revert to familiar, yet sinful, practices in times of uncertainty. Nave's Topical Index Exodus 32:1And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. Nave's Topical Index Acts 7:40 Deuteronomy 9:20,21 Library The Golden Calf Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices. Political Religion The Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ... Who is on the Lord's Side? Exodus 32:26. Moses --Making Haste Gen. xxxi. 11 The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly The Pentateuch. Resources Why was it bad that Aaron and his sons burned the sin offering in Leviticus 10:16 20? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the significance of Aaron's rod? | GotQuestions.org Who was Korah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Aaron with Hur Supports the Hands of Moses During Battle Aaron: Commissioned As a Deliverer of Israel Aaron: Consecration of, to the Priesthood Aaron: Descendants of, Ordained Priests Forever Aaron: Enters Upon the Priestly office Aaron: Forbidden to Mourn the Death of his Son, Nadab and Abihu Aaron: His Benedictions Upon the People Aaron: His Presumption, when the Rock is Smitten Aaron: Judges Israel in the Absence of Moses Aaron: Meets Moses in the Wilderness and is Made Spokesman for Moses Aaron: Murmured Against, by the People Aaron: Not Permitted to Enter Canaan Aaron: Places Pot of Manna in the Ark Aaron: Stays the Plague by Priestly Intercession Aaron: Summoned to Sinai With Nadab, Abihu, and Seventy Elders Related Terms Meal-offering (120 Occurrences) Meat-offering (111 Occurrences) |
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