When the Israelites regressed into pagan idolatry at the foot of Mt Sinai, God announced his intention to destroy them all. This may seem harsh, but we should remember what these people had witnessed in recent days. They had seen manifestations of God that few in history ever saw. This was an outright face-to-face rejection of God. Moses’ prayer for mercy prevailed, however, and God was willing to give his people another chance. That chance was given them by Moses when he said to the people: ““Whoever is for the LORD, come to me” (32:26). Shockingly, only the Levites, one out of the twelve tribes, comes over to Moses! The rest, therefore, are left to face judgement which was to be inflicted by the Levites. At this point the reader should expect all but the Levites to be destroyed. And yet, even now, this judgement is not complete but selective. Those who were killed were probably selected according to their idolatry (Exodus 22:20) irrespective of whether they might be friends or even family of those carrying this out. It is a shocking scene, but purposeful in its polarising effect. What is remarkable though is not that so many people were killed but that God continued to spare this rebellious nation. That is what the writer wants us to marvel at. These expressions of judgement serve to give the people a taste of what they deserve. Mercy means nothing if you don’t think rebellion against God is so serious. These stories underscore mercy against the backdrop of judgement so that we can be clear on the importance of our decision to trust and obey God.
Ask God to give you a clearer sense of the seriousness of sin and the wonder of grace.
Read Exodus 32:15-35
