The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

MOSES DESTROYS THE GOLDEN CALF. The first vengeance which Moses took was upon the idol. It was probably hollow, and possibly of no great size. He might easily break it to pieces and subject the pieces to the action of fire, whereby they would be calcined, and might then be easily reduced to powder. This powder he caused to be mixed with the stream of the brook that flowed from Sinai, so that the Israelites were obliged to swallow with their drink particles of their own idol. Compare the action of Josiah with respect to the "grove" set up in the temple precincts by Manasseh (2 Kings 23:6), which was not identical, but still was similar. It has been suggested that this portion of the narrative is out of proper chronological order; and this may be so far true that the calcining and mixing with the water were at this point commanded rather than executed; but the destruction of the idol would naturally be the first thing which Moses would take in hand, and provide for, before proceeding to anything else. Only when the "abomination" was removed and. its destruction commenced, would he turn his attention to other points.

More for Exodus 32:20

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Matthew Henry on Exodus 32:15-20Exodus 32:15-20 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryWhat a change it is, to come down from the mount of communion with God, to converse with a wicked world. In God we see nothing but what is pure and pleasing; in the world nothing but what is sinful and provoking. That i…Moses Breaks the Tablets of the Law. (b. c. 1491.)Exodus 32:15-20 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleMOSES BREAKS THE TABLETS OF THE LAW. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The favour of God to Moses, in trusting him with the two tables of the testimony, which, though of common stone, were far more valuable than all the preciou…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:15-25Exodus 32:15-25 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe return of Moses to the camp. It may well be believed that it was with deeply agitated heart that Moses, stunned by the tidings he had just received, rejoined his faithful attendant, and as speedily as possible desce…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:15-35Exodus 32:15-35 · The Pulpit CommentaryJudgment and mercy. I. THE DESCENT or MOSES THE EMBLEM OF THE LAW'S ENTRANCE INTO A WORLD OF SIN (Exodus 32:15-29). 1. He came with tables written by God's own finger. The Divine origin and claims of the law are still a…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:20Exodus 32:20 · The Pulpit CommentaryBurnt it and ground it to powder. Silver and gold subjected for a short time to a white heat, which may be easily produced by bellows, readily calcine, and are then easily crushed to a fine powder. Silver becomes detona…The Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:20Exodus 32:20 · The Pulpit CommentaryIdolatry condemned by the idol's weakness and nothingness. An idol is "nothing in the world" (1 Corinthians 8:4)—has no power—cannot even save itself. Nothing convinces men of the vanity of idolatry so much as to see th…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Exodus 32:15-20What a change it is, to come down from the mount of communion with God, to converse with a wicked world. In God we see nothing but what is pure and pleasing; in the world nothing but what is sinful and provoking. That i…Matthew Henry commentaryMoses Breaks the Tablets of the Law. (b. c. 1491.)MOSES BREAKS THE TABLETS OF THE LAW. (B. C. 1491.) Here is, I. The favour of God to Moses, in trusting him with the two tables of the testimony, which, though of common stone, were far more valuable than all the preciou…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:15-35Judgment and mercy. I. THE DESCENT or MOSES THE EMBLEM OF THE LAW'S ENTRANCE INTO A WORLD OF SIN (Exodus 32:15-29). 1. He came with tables written by God's own finger. The Divine origin and claims of the law are still a…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:15-25The return of Moses to the camp. It may well be believed that it was with deeply agitated heart that Moses, stunned by the tidings he had just received, rejoined his faithful attendant, and as speedily as possible desce…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:20Burnt it and ground it to powder. Silver and gold subjected for a short time to a white heat, which may be easily produced by bellows, readily calcine, and are then easily crushed to a fine powder. Silver becomes detona…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Exodus 32:20Idolatry condemned by the idol's weakness and nothingness. An idol is "nothing in the world" (1 Corinthians 8:4)—has no power—cannot even save itself. Nothing convinces men of the vanity of idolatry so much as to see th…Joseph S. Exell and contributors