Exodus 32:24 - Printer Friendly

ESV: So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf."

NIV: So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!"

NASB: So I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them tear it off.’ Then they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.'

CSB: So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off,’ and they gave it to me. When I threw it into the fire, out came this calf!"

NLT: So I told them, ‘Whoever has gold jewelry, take it off.’ When they brought it to me, I simply threw it into the fire — and out came this calf!'

KJV: And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.

NKJV: And I said to them, ‘Whoever has any gold, let them break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I cast it into the fire, and this calf came out.”

Almost every parent has had to confront a young child over something spilled, broken, scratched, or defaced. The classic response is for the child to shrug and say, "it just happened." The child can't deny that there's a problem. But they won't admit to being wrong, so they act as if they were just a bystander. Or, at least, that there was nothing they could have done differently. This is almost exactly how Aaron responds when confronted by Moses (Exodus 32:21). This is one of the most absurd lies recorded in the Bible. It is so ridiculous that Moses seems not to dignify it with a response.

Aaron cooperated with Israel's demand to make an idol (Exodus 32:1). He arranged to collect gold (Exodus 32:2–3). He made the shape of the idol (Exodus 32:4). He said nothing when the people proclaimed it the God who freed them from slavery. Aaron chose to make an altar for sacrifices in front of this idol (Exodus 32:5–6). Yet his version of the story is, "it just happened." He claims that he merely threw gold into the fire and out came a fully formed sculpture. Some commentators think Aaron was claiming that he tried to destroy the gold, but there was a miracle instead.

Aaron is lucky to escape this with his life (Deuteronomy 9:20). Before judging Aaron too harshly (1 John 1:8–10), we should remember that we often make the same excuse to God. When we sin, we downplay the choices we made that led us there. We act as if the temptation was invincible and the circumstances were totally out of our control. Aaron is not the first nor the last believer to try using the "it just happened" excuse with the Lord. But that defense will never work (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Exodus 32:15–24 reports Moses' confrontation with Israel over their recent idolatry (Exodus 32:1–6). His assistant, Joshua, hears the noises in camp as they approach. When Moses sees the extent of the people's sin, he smashes the engraved stone tablets which God gave Him (Exodus 24:12). Moses has the golden idol disintegrated. Aaron tries to avoid blame, claiming that the people made him do it, and that the calf idol simply appeared.

During Moses' long absence (Exodus 24:18), the Israelites lose patience. They demand that Aaron (Exodus 24:14) make them a god they can see. Aaron makes a gold idol from donated jewelry and the people worship it as God. On the mountain, God is furious and sends Moses back. Moses arrives, breaks the stone tablets of God's law which he carried, and destroys the idol. Moses then calls on loyal men to execute those responsible. Aaron is spared, but Israel can anticipate more punishment.

Moses went onto Sinai to communicate with the Lord (Exodus 24:12) and has been gone a long time (Exodus 24:18). He is receiving instructions from God (Exodus 25—31). Meanwhile, Israel falls into idolatry. They break the first two commandments just given at Sinai (Exodus 20:3–6). After delivering initial consequences, God commands Israel to move along and discusses how He will renew His covenant (Exodus 33—34).

The book of Exodus establishes God's covenant relationship with the full-fledged nation of Israel. The descendants of Abraham prosper after settling in Egypt, only to be enslaved by a fearful, hateful Egyptian Pharaoh. God appoints Moses to lead the people out of this bondage. Moses serves as God's spokesman, as the Lord brings plagues and judgments on Egypt, leading to the release of Israel.