Even before the decree of the law was completed, the people broke at least the first three commandments of the law (Exo. 20:2-7) by falling into the sin of idolatry. Man’s replacing of God with idols causes man to be unable to keep God’s commandments (cf. Rom. 1:18-32 and notes; 1 John 5:21 and note 1 John 5:21^3a, par. 1).

The gold earrings were worn by the people for self-beautification. This indicates that self-beautification leads to idolatry (cf. Gen. 35:4 and note Gen. 35:4¹). Furthermore, the gold in the earrings was given to the children of Israel by God before their exodus from Egypt (Exo. 12:35-36) and was to be used for the building of the tabernacle (Exo. 25:3; 35:5). However, before the gold could be used for God’s purpose, it was usurped by Satan and used by God’s people to make an idol. Hence, idolatry is Satan’s usurping and man’s abusing of what God has given for His purpose, in order to make it a waste.

The golden calf was not a pagan idol, for it was made by Aaron, a genuine high priest appointed by God. Furthermore, Aaron made the calf in the name of Jehovah and took the lead to worship the idol in the way of presenting offerings to God and worshipping God (vv. 4-6, 8). Thus, God’s redeemed people worshipped an idol in the name of Jehovah their God and in the way ordained by God (cf. Psa. 106:19-20; Rom. 1:23). This was a pretense and a subtle mixture in the worship of God.

According to the principles in the New Testament, idolatry is the main source of division and fornication. The golden calf idol caused a division among the children of Israel (cf. 1 Cor. 1:10-13; 11:18-19). Actually, division is spiritual fornication (cf. Rev. 17:1-5). Idolatry and fornication always go together (Num. 25:1-2; Rev. 2:20).

A calf is not for labor but for eating and therefore signifies enjoyment (Gen. 18:7-8; Luke 15:23). After the golden calf was made, the people ate, drank, and rose up to play in front of it (vv. 6, 18-19a). This picture indicates that the children of Israel worshipped what they enjoyed. Their worshipping of the gold calf was an amusement and an entertainment, indicating that amusement and entertainment were their idol.

Whatever we love more than God is an idol that corrupts us, bringing in many sinful things (cf. Rom. 1:18-32).

Lit., made Jehovah’s face sweet, or pleasant. Moses’ entreaty on behalf of the children of Israel, which took care of God’s name and stood on God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant (vv. 11-13), changed the expression on God’s face from one of anger to one of pleasantness. Thus, God repented and did not consume His people (v. 14).

Lit., he.

The shattering of the tablets of the testimony (v. 15) indicates that before the children of Israel had received the law, they had already broken the law and the covenant of the law.

Those who worship an idol must eventually “drink” the very idol they worship (cf. Rom. 1:23-25; Gal. 6:7-8a). This is a punishment from God.

Here Moses sounded a call for the overcomers. This call was not the cause of the division among God’s people but produced a purification (cf. note Exo. 32:4¹, par. 2).

The Levites denied even their closest relationships with those who had worshipped the golden calf. The killing of the idol worshippers separated the sons of Levi from their brothers and qualified them to have the priesthood with the Urim and the Thummim (Deut. 33:8-10). God intended that the entire nation of Israel would be a kingdom of priests (Exo. 19:6), but because of the worship of the golden calf, the majority of the children of Israel lost the priesthood. The priesthood was given to a single tribe, the tribe of Levi.

God’s intention is that every believer in Christ, every child of God, would be a priest (Rev. 1:6; 5:10). However, through the centuries impure worship has caused the majority of the believers to lose their priesthood. The relatives of the Levites signify ourselves, that part of our being which participates in the worship of idols. If we “kill” these impure worshippers, we will be the overcomers who keep the priesthood; otherwise, we will be counted among those who have lost the priesthood.

In order to solve the serious problem caused by the worshipping of the golden calf by the children of Israel, God needed a mediator between Him and the people. Moses, a man who was intimately involved with both parties, was uniquely qualified to be such a mediator. As a companion of God (Exo. 33:11 and note Exo. 33:11¹), Moses had an intimate relationship with God and knew what was in God’s heart. In particular, he knew that God would not give up His purpose with the children of Israel. Thus, he could speak to God intimately concerning His people and appease God on their behalf.

Or, punish.