BibleProject | One Story: Foundations of the BibleSample

As days stretch into weeks, Moses is still on the mountain, and the Israelites’ enthusiasm about their new covenant dissolves into restlessness. They become aggressive with Aaron, demanding he make a god that works according to their own wisdom and schedule.

Aaron caves to the pressure, melting down gold to build an idol shaped like a baby cow. Barely a month has passed since they escaped from Egypt, and already, God’s people are violating the first two terms of their covenant agreement. And the first high priest is leading the charge!

When Moses sees the Israelites dancing around the golden calf, he furiously smashes both the idol and the stone tablets. Israel’s covenant agreement lies shattered at the foot of the mountain, mixed with the golden evidence of their sin. The people spiral into ruinous chaos, and it takes a tragic sweep of violence to restore order.

Hurt and rightly angered by the Israelites’ blatant disregard for the covenant, God prepares to turn the Israelites over to the consequences of their betrayal. We’ve seen the severe results of rejecting God: exile (Gen. 3), scattering (Gen. 11), de-creation (Gen. 6 and Exod. 14). We might expect a similar fate for the Israelites.

But Moses intercedes for them, offering his own life as a substitute for theirs. Moses urges God not to give up on his partnership with Israel by appealing to God’s own character. And God extends the Israelites an undeserved grace: He relents.

Today’s video highlights God’s gracious and compassionate character, even in humanity’s darkest moments.

Reflection questions:

• Exodus 34:6-7 offers a summary of God’s deep character. As you meditate on this passage, think about the way you’ve seen God act toward humanity within the biblical story. Where have you seen these aspects of his character so far?
• Think back to other places in the biblical story where you’ve seen a willing surrender of life lead to a rescue from death. (If you need a hint, look back to Genesis 22 or Genesis 44.) What common threads tie these stories together? How does the story of Moses offering his life as a substitute for the Israelites develop this biblical theme?