Topical Bible: Israel: Moses' Indignation

◄ Israel: Moses' Indignation ►

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Moses, the great prophet and leader of Israel, is a central figure in the narrative of the Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their journey to the Promised Land. His life and leadership are marked by moments of profound faith, divine encounters, and human emotion, including instances of indignation. Moses' indignation is a recurring theme in the Pentateuch, reflecting both his deep commitment to God's commands and his frustration with the people's persistent disobedience and lack of faith.

Indignation at the Golden Calf (Exodus 32)

One of the most notable instances of Moses' indignation occurs when the Israelites, in his absence, create and worship a golden calf. While Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, the people grow impatient and demand that Aaron make them gods to lead them. Upon descending the mountain and witnessing their idolatry, Moses' anger burns hot. He throws down the tablets of the covenant, shattering them at the foot of the mountain (Exodus 32:19). This act symbolizes the breaking of the covenant by the people. Moses' indignation is further expressed as he grinds the calf into powder, scatters it on the water, and makes the Israelites drink it (Exodus 32:20).

Indignation at Korah's Rebellion (Numbers 16)

Another significant episode of Moses' indignation is during the rebellion led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. These men challenge Moses' leadership and the priesthood of Aaron, claiming that the entire congregation is holy. Moses, deeply troubled by their insolence, falls facedown and seeks the Lord's guidance. His indignation is evident when he declares that the earth will open and swallow the rebels as a sign of God's judgment (Numbers 16:28-30). The subsequent divine intervention confirms Moses' authority and underscores the seriousness of rebellion against God's appointed leaders.

Indignation at the Waters of Meribah (Numbers 20)

At Meribah, the Israelites again provoke Moses' indignation by complaining about the lack of water. God instructs Moses to speak to the rock to bring forth water. However, in his frustration, Moses strikes the rock twice with his staff, saying, "Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?" (Numbers 20:10). This act of disobedience, driven by indignation, results in God decreeing that Moses will not lead the people into the Promised Land (Numbers 20:12). This incident highlights the human frailty of even the most faithful servant and the importance of obedience to God's commands.

Indignation at the Plains of Moab (Numbers 25)

Moses' indignation is also evident in the incident at the plains of Moab, where the Israelites engage in idolatry and immorality with the Moabite women. God's anger is kindled against Israel, and Moses is instructed to execute the leaders who have led the people into sin (Numbers 25:4-5). Moses' swift action in dealing with the sin reflects his zeal for maintaining the holiness of the community and his commitment to upholding God's standards.

Throughout these episodes, Moses' indignation serves as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the necessity of faithfulness to God's covenant. His responses, while sometimes flawed, demonstrate his deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the Israelites and his unwavering dedication to God's purposes.

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Exodus 32:19-35
And it came to pass, as soon as he came near to the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.
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Library

Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
... them." But Moses preferred the good of Israel to the ... When Moses came down and found
the congregation holding ... he was filled with grief and indignation; and took ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon vii moses prayer to.htm

Moses
... and wrong; which is moved with a noble and Divine indignation at seeing ... And to that
man was Moses going, to bid him set the children of Israel free; while ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

Here Next Followeth the History of Moses
... water and gave it to drink to the children of Israel. Then said Moses to Aaron:
What hath this people done ... answered: Let not my lord take none indignation at me ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/here next followeth the history.htm

Of the Meaning of the Seven Nations of Whose Lands Israel Took ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. ... and root of sin, is more numerous than that
of Israel. ... clamour is condemned as well as anger and indignation and blasphemy ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xvi of the meaning.htm

Exodus
... justice to the day on which, in indignation and astonishment, he destroyed the golden
calf, Moses is a ... very words by the pious hearts of Israel (cf ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

A Rebuke against Extortion
... The Lord had commanded Israel, through Moses, that ... God had also instructed through
Moses: "If thou lend ... cruel oppression, his soul was filled with indignation. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 54 a rebuke against.htm

Faustus Abhors Moses for the Awful Curse He Has Pronounced Upon ...
... that raiseth not up a seed in Israel." [527] This ... and there is no occasion for this
indignation against the ... If they pretend to be angry with Moses for cursing ...
/.../faustus abhors moses for the.htm

Hezekiah
... I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have ... The solemn warnings against
idolatry, spoken through Moses in the hearing of all Israel, had been ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 28 hezekiah.htm

The Swift Decay of Love
... Israel's proneness to fall back to heathenism makes it ... lose their capacity of wholesome
indignation at the ... The suddenness of Moses' reappearance, the very ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift decay of love.htm

Of Circumcision and the Supercession of the Old Law.
... urges the circumcision of the son of Moses, their future ... given; but as "a sign,"
whence Israel in the ... forsaken God, and have provoked unto indignation the Holy ...
/.../tertullian/an answer to the jews/chapter iii of circumcision and the.htm