“And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto 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 brake them beneath the mount.”
Context:To understand the significance of this verse, we need to look at the context. Moses had gone up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments directly from God. During his absence, the Israelites, led by Aaron, grew impatient and demanded a physical representation of God. In response to their request, Aaron fashioned a golden calf for them to worship.
Moses’ Return:As Moses descends from the mountain after receiving the commandments, he witnesses the scene of idol worship and revelry around the golden calf. This sight deeply troubles him, and he becomes angry.
Moses’ Anger:The Bible doesn’t explicitly state why Moses’ anger “waxed hot.” However, we can infer that it was likely due to the fact that the Israelites had quickly abandoned the true God who had delivered them from Egypt and had provided for them throughout their journey in the wilderness.
Tablets of the Law:The phrase “tables” refer to the stone tablets upon which God inscribed the Ten Commandments. These commandments were a covenant between God and His people, serving as the foundation for their relationship and how they were to live morally and spiritually.
Breaking the Tablets:Moses’ anger was so intense that he cast the stone tablets out of his hands, causing them to break. This act symbolized the breaking of the covenant between God and Israel. It reflected the severity of Israel’s sin and their breach of the covenant by turning to false gods.
Spiritual Implications:This verse reveals the consequence of idolatry and how it disrupts the relationship between God and His people. The incident at Mount Sinai serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the danger of straying from God’s commandments.
Repentance and Intercession:Following this incident, Moses intercedes on behalf of the people, pleading for God’s mercy and forgiveness (Exodus 32:30-32). This demonstrates Moses’ heart for the people and his role as a mediator between God and Israel.
God’s Mercy:Despite the people’s sin and the breaking of the tablets, God displays His mercy by not completely destroying Israel (Exodus 32:14). However, there were still consequences for their actions, and the incident serves as a pivotal moment in the Israelites’ journey of faith and obedience.
In summary, Exodus 32:19 captures the intense reaction of Moses upon witnessing the Israelites’ idolatry and the subsequent breaking of the stone tablets. This event serves as a significant lesson on the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of obedience and fidelity to His commandments. It also highlights God’s mercy and the role of intercession in seeking forgiveness and reconciliation with Him.
