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From Eternity Past
before the molten image, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought
thee up out of the land of Egypt.” He had been with Moses on the
mount and there beheld the glory of the Lord. It was he who had
changed that glory into the similitude of an ox. He to whom God had
committed the government of the people in the absence of Moses was
found sanctioning rebellion. “The Lord was very angry with Aaron
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to have destroyed him.”
Deuteronomy 9:20
. But in answer to the
intercession of Moses, his life was spared; and in penitence for his
great sin, he was restored to the favor of God.
How Aaron Encouraged Rebellion
If Aaron had had courage to stand for the right, he could have
prevented that apostasy. If he had unswervingly maintained his own al-
legiance to God and had reminded the people of their solemn covenant
with God, the evil would have been checked. But his compliance em-
boldened them to go to greater lengths in sin than had before entered
their minds.
To justify himself, Aaron endeavored to make the people responsi-
ble for his weakness in yielding to their demand; but notwithstanding
this, they were filled with admiration of his gentleness and patience.
But Aaron’s yielding spirit and desire to please had blinded his eyes to
the enormity of the crime he was sanctioning. His course cost the life
of thousands. In contrast was the course of Moses. While faithfully
executing God’s judgments, he showed that the welfare of Israel was
dearer to him than prosperity, honor, or life.
God would have His servants prove their loyalty by faithfully re-
buking transgression, however painful that act may be. Those who are
honored with a divine commission are not to aim at self-exaltation or
shun disagreeable duties, but to perform God’s work with unswerving
fidelity.
The insubordination which Aaron had permitted, if not speedily
crushed, would run riot in wickedness and involve the nation in ruin.
By terrible severity the evil must be put away. Moses called to the
people, “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.” Those
who had not joined the apostasy were to take their position at the right;
those who were guilty but repentant, at the left. It was found that the
tribe of Levi had taken no part in the idolatrous worship. From among