The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-07-26
Third Quarter; Lesson w.; July 81
1909; Exodus, xxi, lie;
30-35.
The Golden Calf .

The position of the emigrant nation at
Sinai was without a parallel in history,
and trying in the last degree. The re-
g1on was utterly unequal by any natural
ulation so suddenly planted upon 1t. There
were warlike tribes, the shock of whose
impetuous vaior Israel had already felt
at Rephidim. and whose scouts were
doubtless still alertly watching their
movements from many an inaccessible
aerie. 1t was not impossible that the en-
pire whose invincible might they had
eluded, might yet equip an expedition for
scant hundred and eighty miles inter-
vened between them and Rameses, their
starting-point.
To be sure. God had undertaken to be
their commissariat, and send them ratfons
from the skies. He had Moses go in ad-
vance TO strike the rock in Horeb, and
supply them water in abundance. He
had brought them out of Egypt with a
high hand and an outstretched arm. He
had hung His lantern in the sky to guide
their steps; had sweetened waters, given
them dainty food to eat. and defeated
their enemies. And at this very moment
the mountain-top burned and blazed with
His ineffable presence.
But the peoples heart was still gross.
Their religious perceptions were indistinct.
As a mass they had vague notions of the
power that had brought them out of
Egypt. They had not attained to the
idea of the omnipresence of God. They
probably looked upon Him as a tutelary
deity. beyond whose jurisdiction 1t was
possible for them to stray. They were
very far sh )rt of the idea of the spiritu-
ality of God. They coveted q visible pal
ladium. They were Jealous also of Moses,
and showed their spleen in the contempt
uous language they used concerning him.
1t was a crucial hour In Israers history.
God was proving His people. The test
was severe. but not out OF proportion to
their ability to endure it. The days OF
~ ia In.
PERMISSION of divine communications.
Worli faith prevail? Would they be true
to the pledge which they had voluntarily
taken when they said: ''AllF that the
Lard hath spoken we will do!'
Alas! there was sudden epidemic OF
fear and unbelief, and there was no tow
ering personality to withstand 1T. The
black idolat-y. of Egypt echpsed for them
the heavenly light Of Sinai. How instan,
taneous and great was their darkness
This was Israels great lapse, which made
others possible and easy.
With the ineffable voice still ringing In
their tears-'Thou shalt not make unto
thee any craven inage"-they still re-
qrired Aaron to make one. If the high
priest could show such pusil1animity as
ne did, ought we to wonder at the imma-
turity and perversity of the rank and
file?
Charity seems to have suggested thai
Aaron's compliance was in reality only
feigned to gain time in hopes of Moses
return, or that he was deftly playing one
sinful propensity against another in hopes
of checkmating idolatry- with cupidity
At best Aaron cuts poor figure. He
might do for an easy-going benefce, but
had no hero or martyr stun In him.
This was the occasion on which the
Egypt, as Stephen affirmed. That glitter.
ing Image carried in the van would be 8
substitute for the fre-cloud pillar; and
the image OF Egypts famed Apis woulc