Israel Worships a Golden Calf
195
other tribes there were great numbers who now signified their repen-
[225]
tance. But a large company, mostly the “mixed multitude,” persisted
in their rebellion. In the name of “the Lord God of Israel,” Moses now
commanded those who had kept themselves clear of idolatry to gird
on their swords and slay all who persisted in rebellion. “And there fell
of the people that day about three thousand men.” The ringleaders in
wickedness were cut off, but all who repented were spared.
Men are to beware how they judge and condemn their fellowmen;
but when God commands them to execute His sentence upon iniquity,
He is to be obeyed. Those who performed this painful act thus mani-
fested their abhorrence of rebellion and idolatry. The Lord honored
their faithfulness by bestowing special distinction upon the tribe of
Levi.
That the divine government might be maintained, justice must be
visited upon the traitors. Yet even here God’s mercy was displayed:
He granted freedom of choice and opportunity for repentance to all.
Only those were cut off who persisted in rebellion.
Why Israel’s Idolatry Must Be Punished
It was necessary that this sin should be punished as a testimony
to surrounding nations of God’s displeasure against idolatry. As the
Israelites would hereafter condemn idolatry, their enemies would throw
back the charge that the people who claimed Jehovah as their God
had made a calf and worshiped it in Horeb. Though compelled to
acknowledge the disgraceful truth, Israel could point to the terrible
fate of the transgressors as evidence that their sin had not been excused.
Love no less than justice demanded that judgment be inflicted. God
cuts off those who are determined upon rebellion, that they may not
lead others to ruin. In sparing the life of Cain, God had demonstrated
the result of permitting sin to go unpunished. His life and teaching led
to the state of corruption that demanded the destruction of the whole
[226]
world by a flood. The history of the antediluvians testifies that God’s
great forbearance did not repress their wickedness.
So at Sinai. Unless punishment had been speedily visited upon
transgression, the same results would again have been seen. The earth
would have become as corrupt as in the days of Noah. Evils would
have followed, greater than resulted from sparing the life of Cain. It