Exodus 32

Exodus 32:1

DElayed to come downe] Staying with God in the Mount fourty dayes, and fourty nights, Chap. 34. vers. 28.

unto Aaron] Or, against Aaron.

Ʋp, make us] Their speech is as absurd as impious; for how could they be Gods, that were of mans making? how comparable to that God, who (by the ministery of Moses) had miraculously brought them out of the house of bondage? if they had not lived too long among grosse Idolaters, and learned, and liked somewhat of their Idolatrous Discipline, they could never have beene so grosse in their understandings, so ungratefull to God and Moses, as to take this occasion to renounce them both; especially Moses remaining in that Mount, from whence they had heard the Law against Idolatry, as well as against other sinnes, so dreadfully set forth, Exodus 19:16. & Chap. 20. 18, 19. but this sheweth mans pronenesse to Idolatry, and the great danger in conversing with Idolaters. Acts 7. vers. 40.

gods] Gods for God, for one being made they desired no more; whereby they meant some visible representation of God to be carried before them; for it is too mad a conceit, to think that the figure of a Calfe was that God, which brought them out of the Land of Egypt; yet such a madnesse might be a part of Gods curse upon some of them, for such a sinne as we finde, Job 24:13. viz. rebelling against the light, whereby they might become vaine in their imaginations, having their foolish heart darkened, Romans 1:22. and professing themselves to be wise, they might not onely become foolish (as the Apostle saith in the next verse) but meere mad men: for to such Idolaters as these belongeth that of the Prophet, they are mad upon their idols, Jeremiah 50:38.

goe before us] They had the pillar of the cloud, but because Moses being in the Mount it stood still, they would have a stirring God that might presently lead them onward whither they would goe.

as for this Moses] After so many miracles wrought by the ministery of Moses, they spake of him thus, with contempt, whom (on this side Idolatry) they could not reverence too much.

what is become of] How necessary is it that such as have the charge of the people, should attend on their charge: when upon a little absence, the people take occasion to commit so great a sinne? yet he had warrant for his absence, though that were no warrant for so grosse a wickednesse.

Exodus 32:2

the golden earings] Aaron had some cause to hope that they did not so doate upon an Idol as to buy it at so dear a price, as their precious jewels, to marre them for the making of it.

Exodus 32:3

• breake off the golden] If he thought so well of them, it was more of his charitie then of their goodnesse, for they gave many both eare and eye-witnesses, of their witlesse fancies, and wicked wils, to set up Idolatry what ever it cost them; wherein they shewed not onely their fondnesse to the Idol, but their ungratitude to God; for by his favour they were furnished with those jewels, Exod. 3. 21, 22. which now they turne to his great dishonour. Ezekiel 16:17.

Exodus 32:4

molten calfe] The Egyptians were great Merchants of Idolatry, from whom the Israelites retailed in that ungodly trade for they set up a calf, while the Egyptians worshipped Kine and Oxen. It is not unlike but there passed more words betwixt Aaron and the people before it came to the making of this Idoll; and that they themselves made choyce of i, (though we finde it not exprest) els Aaron (doubtlesse) would rather have set before them a Cherub, or Cherubims rather then a Calfe, though some Papists, as Franciscus Moncaeus fondly saith, the figure of the Cherubims was after the figure of a Calfe.

these be thy Gods] It was but one, and so it is named, Nehemiah 9:18. yet called Gods, (in the Plurall Number) as God himselfe is sometimes pleased, to be called (though he be but one) as Genesis 20:13. & Genesis 35:7. especially, Joshua 24:19. where it is said, he is an holy God: the words for God and holy, are both of the Plurall number.

which brought thee] By this it appeareth that some of them (at least) did meane to worship the true God in this false manner, though the grosser sort (like the blinde Egyptians) might haply commit downe-right Idolatry to this senselesse Idoll.

Exodus 32:5

when Aaron saw] When Aaron saw their mindes were so madly set upon this Idol; he fearing their fury went on according to their wilfull wickednesse; vers. 22. built an Altar. &c.

an Altar] If the Calfe betoken a God, it must have an Altar for sacrifice, and a set time for solemne service.

to morrow] Sooner it could not be, with warning to the people before-hand: this haste was from their furious zeale, els it is like, Aaron would have used delayes, that Moses might have come to prevent further mischiefe.

to the Lord] Or, for the Lord. The people used the word Elohim, when they called upon Aaron to make them Gods, vers. 1. (which is applied not onely to God, but to others besides him) but Aaron useth the Name Jehovah, (which is peculiar to the true God) it may be to divert them from the worke of mans hands, to the maker of man, God himselfe.

Exodus 32:6

• sae down to eate] Making a feast as part of the peaceofferings, offered up to the brutish Idol by sottish Idolaters. 1 Corinthians 10:7.

rose up to play] Making merry by singing, vers. 18. and by dancing, vers. 19.

Exodus 32:7

• Get thee downe] * Deuteronomy 9:12.

thy people] Thine now, rather then mine, since they have so presumptuously and impiously sinned against me: yet they were Moses people, as their Successors were Queene Esthers people, Esther 7:4. by cognation with him, and subordination to him: so by this appropriation he is put in minde to make haste to them, Deuteronomy 9:12. and to doe his best to make them apprehensive of their high contempt of God, and penitent for it.

Exodus 32:8

turned aside quickly] For it was not long before this that they promised their obedience to all Gods commands; among which one was against worshipping of Images. See Exodus 19:8. & Chap. 24. 7. whereby we see what necessitie we have to pray earnestly to God, to keepe us in his true obedience, and to send us good guides to that purpose.

Exodus 32:9

I have seene] Deuteronomy 9:13.

Exodus 32:10

Let me alone] God sheweth that the prayers of the Godly stay his punishment; not by the prevailing of humane force above divine; but by condescending of divine grace to the desires of the godly. Genesis 32:26. Deuteronomy 9:14.

a great nation] That is, a multiplied off-spring shall descend from thy loines: for though God destroy a multitude of wicked persons, he can raise out of one surviving Saint a Nation and Church unto himselfe; yea of stones, children unto Abraham, Matthew 3:9. Deuteronomy 9:14.

Exodus 32:11

• Moses besought] * Psalms 106:23.

why doth thy wrath] Moses knew cause enough why God should be wroth with them, but he useth the forme of a question, to put an emphasis upon his Petition; for so it is in effect, whatsoever be the forme: such patheticall enforcements are used sometimes by the godly, as Genesis 18. vers. 23, 24, 25. sometimes by the wicked, as Matthew 8:29. compared with Luke 8:28.

the Lord] Heb. the face of the Lord.

Exodus 32:12

• Wherefore should] * Numbers 14:13.

repent] * Vers. 14. See Annot. on Genesis 6:6.

Exodus 32:13

• Remember Abraham] * That is, thy promise made to Abraham, Deuteronomy 9:27.

Exodus 32:14

repented him] That is, without any change of his will, he sheweth a will to change his commination of ruine of the people, to a gracious acceptation of Moses his prayer; as men when they repent, make a change of their words, and actions: this sheweth how much a whole Nation may be beholding to one of Gods favourites; and how much they are bound to make much of such.

Exodus 32:15

on both their sides] The Tables (though of stone) were no bigger or heavier then Moses could carry in his hands, and the Commandements were graven (as some conceive) on the inside only, others thinke they were on both sides, so that each part (both being like a paire of Tables) had (as it is probable) their part of the Law written twice over, that is, the first Table had the foure first Commandements written on each side, and the second Table had the sixe last written twice over; once on the one side, and againe on the other (like that booke of woes, Ezekiel 2:10.) in as large and faire a Character to be read, as the space would beare.

Exodus 32:16

the writing of God] Gods interest in these Tables is often mentioned, to note how farre he was pleased to be employed, and ingaged in the Covenant with the people; which aggravates their sinne who brake the Covenant; especially, by such a wilfull and witlesse Idolatry as that of the golden Calfe, which is as if the wife of a most wise and glorious King should prostitute herselfe to some base worthlesse fellow and despicable varlet.

Exodus 32:17

a noise of warre] By this it is evident, that Joshua was neither a party in this Idolatrous conspiracy, nor privie to the information that Moses had in the Mount; while this mischiefe was put in practise, he was absent from the people as Moses was, but not present with God in such neernesse as he, nor admitted within the cloud, where Moses had a more immediate communion with God.

Exodus 32:19

the calfe] That is, the Image of the Calfe, for the signe is often used for the thing signified. See Annot. on Genesis 41:26.

and brake them] Wherein some wholly defend the act as being by Gods instinct, to signifie the breach of Covenant betwixt him and the people, and it may be so, because he reports it as an act rather of deliberation, then of passion, Deuteronomy 9:16-17. and because he is no where condemned for it, as for a fault, and is commended for the meekest man that was upon the face of the earth, Numbers 12:3. yet as (when his spirit was provoked) he spake unadvisedly with his lips, Psalms 106:33. so being transported with zeale, (though for Gods glory) he might doe unadvisedly with his hands, and so he may be an example of mans imperfect sanctitie, which hath a mixture of Divine grace, and humane weaknesse even in the best.

Exodus 32:20

ground it to powder] Gold may be Art (as some have said upon their owne experience) be turned into powder: howsoever the fashion being marred by melting, and made a grosse lumpe, it was not uneasie to file or grate, or grind it to powder: or being melted it might run thin and become more brittle, & so made the easier to be turned into dust, as Deu. 9. 21.

strowed it upon the water] Which came from Mount Sinai, and ranne by the Camps of the Israelites: whether he strewed it upon the water all at once, or (by parts) gave to each a severall portion, is not here set down, but Deuteronomy 9:21. it is plain that he cast the dust of it into the brook.

made the children of Israel drinke of it] It is not said drinke of the Idol, for the words [of it] are in the translation, not in the Hebrew; so the drinking may be meant of the water, not of the metall, whereof the Idoll was made, whereby they might be admonished of the basenesse, and weaknesse of their Idolatry: since the water, though weak, had overcome, and overwhelmed their upstart Idoll, and they could devoure the water. This was a liquid and cleare proofe, how foolish the people were in making of such a God, as could not defend himselfe from fire, nor file, nor water, and which by taking it (in a draught) might come forth as an excrement, whereby they might have it in more detestation, and contempt: and though the people were stiffe-necked, vers. 9. yet the Lord doubtlesse cast a terrour upon them, and so over-awed them by Moses, who had over-awed Aaron before, that they durst not resist, or refuse what Moses offered: as when the Levites set upon the rest of the people, and made a great slaughter among them, vers. 27, 28. (though they were many for one) for they were numbred up to six hundred thousand fighting men.

Exodus 32:21

what did] See Annot. on Genesis 20:9.

Exodus 32:22

• set on mischiefe] With such an heavie violence that I being but one, against so many, could make no resistance, with successe to the cause, or safetie to my person. Psalms 36:4. Proverbs 4:16.

Exodus 32:24

there came out this Calfe] Aaron casting the jewels into the fire might easily marre them, but without more ado then so he could no make a Calf out of them: but that was done (say some Jewish Writers) by Art Magick, which might be besides the intention of Aaron: but the Text is plain, vers. 4. that Aaron was faulty, in giving forme to that matter, both by casting it, or causing it, or at least permitting it to be cast into a mould, and to be polished afterward, with a graving Toole; though being not a little daunted with the zealous and courageous indignation of Moses, he was afraid to acknowledge his offence to the full: and therefore (by way of extenuation) he telleth Moses, he cast the materials into the fire, and that out of it came the Calfe; as if it had beene a matter rather of chance, then of choice: which was so farre, not onely from truth, but from probabilitie also, that if extremitie of passion had not eclypsed his reason, he would rather have freely confessed his fault, then have pleaded for himselfe, by such a frivolous excuse; in which as in the precedent act, we may perceive that the worthiest and most high Priest (that is but a man) may erre both in his owne practice, and his proposals to the people in generall.

Exodus 32:25

• naked] As without armes being now out of Gods protection, who before was to them as compleat armour; but now they were as naked, and unarmed men among their enemies, as this verse sheweth: or their iniquitie was discovered as the deformitie of a naked man, who wanteth cloathes to cover it; their sinne being known to their open shame, Micah 1. 11. or they were naked, as stript of the chiefe ornament of their soules, that is, innocencie, as of the ornament of their bodies, their eare-rings; and naked as now laid bare for the lash of divine judgement. Genesis 42:9. 2 Chron. 28. 19.

shame] Idolatry is a sinne that causeth shame, which is strongly signified by the Hebrew phrase, calling Idols by the name of dung, which should make us renounce them, with extreme contempt and detestation. See Deuteronomy 7:25-26.

Exodus 32:26

Who is on the Lords side] By this he meaneth to distinguish those who were not guilty of the Idolatry, from those that were: (for all were not partakers of that abominable sin, 1 Corinthians 10:7. and of those that were, all were not guiltie in the same degree) that they might neither be slaine, which were innocent, nor that any such should side with, or assist the guilty against the execution intended, but rather separate from them.

all the sonnes of] It is probable that Aaron (the High-priest) being a sonne of Levi, had other Levites to joyne with him in setting up the golden Calfe, on whom these Levites, (who came together upon Moses Proclamation) did execution, vers. 29. But it is said, all the sonnes, &c. because the most of them were cleare from the sinne, and zealous to punish it; and that all the zealots, who assembled for this service, were Levites.

Exodus 32:27

slay every man his] Moses was a chiefe Magistrate, and Generall of this great Army; and so he had great power to punish hainous crimes with death: yet as in other extraordinary cases (Genesis 49:7. Deuteronomy 33:9.) God turned the curse into a blessing. And though Moses prevailed for a reprieve of the people in generall; yet some, who were the forwardest in that wicked work, (for prevention of like impiety in future time) were to be made examples of terrour and caution to the rest. In this execution of the Levites, setting themselves in such an hostile opposition to all the offenders of every Tribe, (they being so many in number) there was an evidence of Gods overawing power, and of the timorous guilt of sinne, that they did not take up Armes against them for their owne defence: by such a divine vigour, were the people over-awed by our Saviour, when he whipped the buyers and sellers out of the Temple, Joh. 2. 5: 15, 16.

Exodus 32:29

consecrate] To have bloudy hands, (in the cause and quarrell of God) by good warrant from him, is no defiling, but the hallowing or consecration of the person, who executes his vengeance. The word in Hebrew signifieth fill the hands, (for so it was at the consecration of the Priests) which in this place imports as much acceptation with God, as their consecration for the service of the Tabernacle.

every man upon his sonne, &c.] In revenging indignitie and dishonour to God, we must have no respect of man, of how neere relation so ever: our zeale for him must eate up all carnall affection to our neerest kindred, Deuteronomy 13:6. 9. & Chap. 33. 9.

Exodus 32:30

• peradventure I shall] Though Moses were a most gracious favourite of God, he would not take much upon him, in this Mediation: his humilitie towards God, and prudence towards men (who might have beene lesse fearefull to offend, if Moses had beene more confident of pardon) moved him, thus sparingly to speake; and indeed he might have cause to doubt of prevailing so farre, as he desired, on their behalfe, and as the event sheweth he did. 2 Samuel 16:12. Amos 5:15.

an atonement] Zealous execution against hainous offenders, is a good meanes of Atonement betwixt God and man; and by this Atonement, he meaneth the staying of punishment; that God being satisfied with the sacrifice of the offenders, may forbeare to bring any further plague upon the people for that offence. Numbers 25:48.

Exodus 32:32

If thou wilt forgive] The words are passionately, or modestly suspended; the sense may be made up thus: If thou wilt forgive, thy mercy shall appeare to us, and we shall be thankfull to thee for it.

blot me] That is, rather then thou shouldest be dishonoured, and blasphemed by thine enemies, for destroying thy people, as vers. 12. I could wish my name blotted out of the Book of life; that is, rather lose my part in the life of a better world, at least be cut off out of this by sudden death: wherein he preferreth Gods glory before his owne safety; not wishing thereby the whole Dose of damnation; (which consisteth not onely of eternall separation from, but of eternall hatred and blasphemy against him) or this great zeale might have some mixture of corrupt passion in it, which might cause him to speake unadvisedly with his lips, Psalms 106:33.

Exodus 32:33

Booke] By a Book is here meant, no litterall Record, or Writing, but a figurative conformitie to the writing or recording of ones name in a Booke, (as many are) in favour, for honour or service: and this may be understood of a temporall or eternall favour, either with limitation to this life, as that Moses desired rather not to live then that all the people should die that were involved in this sinne: or with extent to the future; so he had rather lose his interest in divine glory, then God should be blasphemed on this occasion: both, or either of these he might meane by blotting out of Gods Booke; which phrase we may understand by that we read, Luke 10:20. where those who are dearely beloved are said to have their names written in heaven; and Daniel 12:1. to be written in Gods Booke, which is called the Booke of life, Phil. 4. 3. Revelation 22:19. on the contrary, those he hateth are said, not to be written there, Revelation 13:8. Psalms 69:28. or to be blotted out thence, as in the same place, and Revelation 3:5.

Exodus 32:34

I will visit] That is, if they provoke me againe to justice against them, I will remember this their iniquitie against me.

Exodus 32:35

• The Lord plagued] This is conceived by some, to be but a repetition of the plague, by the slaughter of the Levites, upon the people before mentioned: but it is more probable, that God afterwards (upon some new provocation) laid some plague upon them with remembrance of this Idolatrous transgression. Vers. 28.

they made the Calfe] Which Aaron made; the chiefe offenders are they, who move and urge the doing of evill, as the people did the making of the golden Calfe; not they who (for feare of danger) yeeld unto it, as Aaron did.