Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-07-24
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments tor
July II.
Subjecr Worshlplng the Golden Call, tx.
xxxiL. l.35-0olden Text Ex. XXX, j.
Memory Verues, 3O.22- Commentary
on the Days Lesson.

xxxIL. I.35-Golden Text Ex. XXX, j.
Memory verues, 3O.22- Commentary
on the Days Lesson.
l. "Moses delayed" He was in, the
mount. forty days. Gathered them;
sedtious manner, insisting on having all
object of religious worship made for them,
as they intended under its direction to re.
Unto Aaron. The brother of Moses and
the principal one in charge during Moses's
absence. make us gods" They required,
like children, to have something to strike
their senses, and as the Shcchinah, the
glory of God" of which they had hitherto
enjoyed the sight, was now yelled, they
wished for some visible, material objects
as the symbol of the divine presence
which should go before them as the pillar
of fire had done. I'VE wot not" eve
know not HON contemptuously they
spoke of Noses Thus ungrateful are they
While God delights to honor him, they de-
light tc condemn him, and this to the face
OF Aaron, his brother and substitute. 1T
Moses had persisted in the fire, which they
saw had invested the top of the mountain
into which he went
2. Break OIL" Implying that the act
involved an effort and sacrifice OH their
part. The prevailing view has been that
Aaron, anxious to dissuade the people from
their purpose, proposed this great sacrifice
hoping they would withdraw their demand
This is not an improbable view, but the
lacked the sterling qualities of great spir.
itual leader.
3. Brought them" The Egyptian rings,
as seen on the monuments, were round,
massy Plates of metals, and as it was rings
OF this sort that the Israeltes wore, their
size and number must, in the general col.
lection, have produced n large store OF the
precious material.
4. "And made it molten calf" This
chief diety of the Egyptians, worshipcd at
Memphis under the form of a live OK, three
years old. "These be thy gods" Possibly
Aaron only intended to make them some
symholical representation of the divine
power and energy, that might be as evident
to them as the pillar of cloud and fire had
been, and to which God might attach an
always present energy, and influence.
S. Feast to the Lord Aaron docs
not appear to have designed worship that
should supcrsede the worship Of the Most
High 1t is evident he intended that the
true God should he the object OF their wor-
ship though he permitted and even encour-
aged them to offer this worship through
an idolatrous medium, the molten calf
g. "Early.' ut was to be a day Of fes'
tivity and Joy and they were anxious to be
gin IT, Offerings The burnt offerings
were wholly consumed on the altar. but
toe peace offerings were only partly con.
sumed and the remainder eaten by the
priests and the worshipcrs.
7. Corrupted themselves" Moses
must break off his communion with God to
90 and do his duty as a magistrate among
the people. They had not only taken on a
spirit OF idolatry, but they had become
abominab,c in their conduct. They were
no longer entitled to his protection and
love. They had broken their covenant with
God, and had sinned against great light.
8. Turned aside" The actions of the
people were all open before God, and lie
tell Moses what they have done.
0. "StilInecked." Unmanageabe. Hard
to control.
10. LET me alone" Moses had not vet
opened his mouth, but God foresaw the
holy violence with which his opportunity
would besiege His throne. MY wrath"
The wrath of God is Ills righteous ndigna-
repcntant,, but He also keepth mercy for
thusands" "a: 7. "Of thee" God
seemed ready to destroy the nation, and
raise up a great nation through Moses.
lib. Moses besouRht" The nob,eness
of Moses shone forth in complete scf-for-
getfulness in his love of God and of the
people, while he pleaded for their forgive
ness
IA. "The Lord repented" This is spo-
ken merely after the manner of men who,
having formed a purpose, permit them.
selves to be diverted from it by strong and
forcible reasons. Moses prayer influenced
Jehovah
Is. "The tables" They were evidently
not very large or heavy, as Moses appears
to have easily carried them both.
10. work of God" Such law could
proceed from none but God.
l7.ls. "Noisc of war" Joshua at first
thought that the people must be warning
with some of the ncghboring tribes.
10. Moses anger waxed hot" Moses
now feels the kindling of n wrath akin to
that which moved Jehovah. Fiery indig.
nation against sin is passion as pure and
worthy of God or man as love for truth
and righteousness. Moses anger was not
the stirring of an unhoy passion. "Breal!
them" A visible sign, shown that Israel
had broken the law written thereon.
90. "Took the calf" etc, The act was q
symbolical one; the idol was brought to
nothing and the peplc were made to swal-
low their own sin.
q. THAT thou hast brought" This
was severe rebukc. Moses charged the
sin directly upon Aaron, because he had
permitted it,
22,24. Aaron said" His reply is very
weak, and is really confession of his own
shortcomings.
25. NAKED" This means that they
were broken loose from all restraint, un-
ruly, lcentious.
1928. "Slay every man" The Lcvtes
came at Moses call, and then the work of
retrbutin began. The 5000 slain were
probably the leaders in the transgression.
"Those who were guilty of this breach of
the covenant were liable to the penalty of
a capital crime Compare V. 33), and hence
the order for this fearful slaughter"
90 "Consecrate yourselves" Literally,
fill your hands to the Lord. "Their hands
were to be filled with the duties and obi
cations of their sacred calling"
80. "On the morrow" After Moses had
executed justice on the principal offenders.
aye have sinned." Though they had es-
capped death they were not to suppose they
were innocent, or to look upon the sin as
a trining thing. "An atonement" lie
thought that he might be made an instru-
ment of reconciliation
81. Returned" He again went up on
Mount Sinai. "a great SIM" lie makes
humble confession.