1. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 And Aaron said to them, “Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.

2. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 4 And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” 5 So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD.” 6 Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

3. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 The Importance of Patience – Moses assured people he would return (Ex. 24:14-18). – Israel became impatient (Ex. 32:1). – Lack of patience caused them to sin (Ex. 32:8). – We must learn to be a patient people: Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ (2 Thess. 3:5). But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matt. 24:13). James 5:7-11

4. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 God Sees All, Including Sin (Ex. 32:7-9) – Some try to hide (Gen. 3:8). – Can’t hide: For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths (Prov. 5:21). And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account (Heb. 4:13). Psalmists knew he could not hide (Ps. 139:7-12). …God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel (Rom. 2:16).

5. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 Sin Does Not Go Unpunished – Sin brings the wrath of God. And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people! Now therefore, let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them. And I will make of you a great nation” (Ex. 32:9-10). So the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day (Ex. 32:28). For the wages of sin is death… (Rom. 6:23). Rom. 1:18; 1 Thess. 1:10

6. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 Idolatry Is A Great Sin (Ex. 32:30) – Sin: Transgression of God’s Law (1 Jn. 3:4). You shall have no other gods before Me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God… (Ex. 20:3-5). Covetous is idolatry (Col. 3:5). We must “flee idolatry” (1 Cor. 10:14; 1 Jn. 5:21).

7. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 Atonement Must Be Made For Sin – Moses sought to make atonement (Ex. 32:30-35). – Day of Atonement (Lev. 23:27-28). Also the tenth day of this seventh month shall be the Day of Atonement. It shall be a holy convocation for you; you shall afflict your souls, and offer an offering made by fire to the LORD. And you shall do no work on that same day, for it is the Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the LORD your God. OT sacrifices were imperfect (Heb. 10). Atonement for sin through Christ (Rom. 5:11; 6:3-4).

8. Golden Lessons Exodus 32 God Blots Sinners Out of His Book (Ex. 32:30-33). 30 Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” 31 Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! 32 Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.” 33 And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book” (Ex. 32:30-33).

9. God Has A Book And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel…whose names are in the Book of Life (Phil. 4:3). He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life (Rev. 3:5). And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life… (Rev. 2:12). And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire (Rev. 20:15). But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev. 21:27). Is Your Name Written There?