Exodus 32

Exodus 32:1

Gods] Visible images, which we will consecrate, and then yeeld divine honour unto them. It is likely that the greatest part of this people inclined to idolatry, after the manner of Pagans, and that they did desire many images, but that Aaron, in part consenting to their wicked demand, would have them to acknowledge and worship the true God in this image, which therefore he will have to be but one;which shall go] Shall be our guides in this v yage, as the Lord hath been hitherto in the Pillar, which having stood still all the time that Moses had beene in the mount; it is likely that the people, wearied with this long stay, would substitute〈◊〉 other signes of the Godhead, which should move at their pleasure.

Exodus 32:2

Eare-rings] By, Gen. 35 4. and Judges 8:24. It seemeth that there was some pfanenesse in the use of these ear-ings, which Aaron would by this meanes root out, & take away one sn, by bringing in a worser.

Exodus 32:4

Calfe] The Egyptians worshipped their Apis in the shape of an Oxe, and their goddesse Isis, had a Cows hornes, and it should seem the Israelites tooke this shape from thence; See 1 King. 12. 28. Ezek. 20 7 and 23. 8. Acts 7:39. If they did not take it from the likenesse of Cherubins, which appeared in a vision, in the shape of Oxen; Ezekiel 10:14 Thy Gods] The Godhead which thou servest, and worshippest, which the idolaters never did know truly, in its most single unity and spirituall and infinite essence, and giving a corporall shape, have alwayes divided it into parts and numbers.

Exodus 32:5

To the Lord] Hence it is manifest that Aaron, though he gave consent to make this visible figure, did intend neverthelesse to keep them in the knowledge, & service of the true God under this forme, as 1 Kin. 18. 22. and 2 of Kings 10. 16. and 23. 29.

Exodus 32:6

To play] As always dissolutenes hath accompanied idolatry.

Exodus 32:7

Thy people] A word of scorne, or disdain.

Exodus 32:9

Siffe-necked] Refractory, unapt to be taught, a terme taken from Oxen that cannot bend their necks to the yoke.

Exodus 32:10

Let me alone] Do not mediate for them. Now by this forbidding, God doth so much the more incite Moses his zeale to pray for the people; shewing him, that only prayer coald hinder this lamen able efect.

Exodus 32:11

Why doth] As much to say, if there bee great reasons and causes, for to have them destroyed, yet are there some greater, and more powerfull for the pardoning of them, namely, the respect of thy glory; See Deuteronomy 32:27.

Exodus 32:12

And repent] See Genesis 6:6.

Exodus 32:15

Of the testimony] See Exo.: 6. 34 On both] It is not likely that they were written inside & cutside, but only the two foresides, opposite against one another.

Exodus 32:17

Joshua] Who was not returned to the Host, but had stayed in som part of the hill all the while Moses was there, Exodus 24:13.

Exodus 32:18

It is not the voyce of them] The Hebrew hath it, It is not the noise of a cry of strength, nor the noise of a cry of wearinesse.

Exodus 32:19

And brake them] Not through any excesse of wrath, but to shew the people (in whose presence hee did it, Deuteronomy 9:17) that Gods Covenant was broken through their idolatry.

Exodus 32:20

Barnd it] That is to say, melted it, to utterly abolish the image or shape of the calfe, and then ground the stuff, and made it small, and caused the people to drink it, that it might passe out with their excrements; others beleeve that Moses had calcinated it by some art, and all this was for the greater detestation of idolatry, Deuteronomy 7:25.

Exodus 32:24

There came out] A terme of a shamefull dissimulating of the fault.

Exodus 32:25

Were naked] Out of Gods protection, who was offended for that sin, wherby it was easie for their enemies to assault and overthrow them: See Numbers 14:9. Isaiah 22:8. Micah 1:11. The meaning is, that Moses chose rather to act the revenge himself, than to expect it from the enemies, forfear of taunts and blasphemies.

Exodus 32:26

Stood] As it were to separate himselfe from the company of the idolaters: See Exodus 33:7 In th. gate] At the comming in, according as the campe was settled, and quartered into streets, piazzaes &c. after the manner of an Host; On the Lords side] that had no part in this revolt, that is zealous of Gods glory.

Exodus 32:29

Consecrate your selves] Doe this act of justice for a proof and triall of your faithfulnesse in the service of God, and to make your selves worthy to bee called his ministers.

Exodus 32:30

Peradveture] Moses speaketh thus, because that God had not revealed unto him, what he intended to do concerning the pardon: v. 14 I shall make] or shall pacifie him concerning this your sin:

Exodus 32:31

Unto the Lord] To the mount, where he stayed other fourty dayes, and fourty nights, Det 9. 18.

Exodus 32:32

I not] The meaning is, I shall find asmuch paine and torment, by the viclation of thy glory, and the destruction of thy Chuch; as if I my selfe had no part in the election to thy grace, or as if I did lose it. My good and my particular joy, will be drowned in this publick heavinesse; words of an extraordinary zeale and charity, as Romans 9:3 Out of thy book] A figurative terme, as Psal. 69. 29. Daniel 12:1. Luke 10:20. Philippians 4:3. Rev. 3. 5. and 13. 8. and 20. 12. to signifie the decree of Gods Will.

Exodus 32:33

Him will I blot out] That is to say, exterminating of obdurate and impenitent sinners, out of the body of my Church, which is as it were, the pourtraiture and register of eternall election, Ezeck. 13. 19. I will shew by the effects that they were never mine, nor were never chosen; See Psal. 69. 29. Deuteronomy 29:20. Rev. 3. 5. and 22. 19. Ma 7. 23. and 15. 13.

Exodus 32:34

Mine Angel] I the Son of God will no more shew my self immediatly present by the effects of my power and grace, as I have done heretofore, Exodus 23:20-21: but will give you an Angel, which is a creature and a servant, to be your conductor; see Exod. 33 2, 3, 12. But Moses caused this threatning to be called back, Exo. 33. 14. 17 In the day] I do forbeare to panish this sin fully at this time, but if they continue in doing evill and breake my patience, I will reckon this sin unto them with the rest. To shew that the true remission of sin is alway joyned with the renouncing of sin, and that wher sin raigneth, sin is not forgiven.

Exodus 32:35

Plagued] The Italian hath it, Smote] by the hands of the Levites this time, and in the ensuing plagues, he alwayes bore this horrible sinne in mind.