Basic HTML Version
We Need More Men Like Moses, July 21
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of
the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and
said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for
this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we
wot not what is become of him.
Exodus 32:1
.
In the absence of Moses, the judicial authority had been delegated to
Aaron, and a vast crowd gathered about his tent, with the demand, “Make
us gods, which shall go before us....” Such a crisis demanded a man of
firmness, decision, and unflinching courage; one who held the honor of
God above popular favor, personal safety, or life itself.... Aaron feebly
remonstrated with the people, but his wavering and timidity at the critical
moment only rendered them the more determined. The tumult increased....
Aaron feared for his own safety; and instead of nobly standing up for the
honor of God, he yielded to the demands of the multitude. His first act
was to direct that the golden earrings be collected from all the people
and brought to him, hoping that pride would lead them to refuse such a
sacrifice. But they willingly yielded up their ornaments; and from these
he made a molten calf, in imitation of the gods of Egypt
We repeat the sin of Aaron, pacifying, when the eyesight should be
clear to discern evil and state it plainly, even if it places us in an unpleasant
position, because our motives may be misapprehended. We must not
suffer wrong upon a brother or any soul with whom we are connected.
This neglect to stand up firmly for truth was the sin of Aaron. Had he
spoken the truth plainly, that golden calf would never have been made
There are still pliant Aarons, who ... will yield to the desires of the
unconsecrated, and thus encourage them in sin
Those who are honored with a divine commission, are not to be weak,
... or to shun disagreeable duties, but to perform God’s work with unswerv-
ing fidelity
[210]
44
Patriarchs and Prophets, 316, 317
.
45
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 1:1109
.
46
Patriarchs and Prophets, 317
.
47
Patriarchs and Prophets, 324
.
216