Chapter Summary

The broken law; Israel worships a golden calf. Intercession of Moses.

Discussion Questions for Exodus, Chapter 32

1. Why did Aaron and the Israelites construct a golden calf? Why might Moses have put the story of the golden calf right after God’s instructions for building the tabernacle?
2. Aaron constructs a god “who will go before us” (NASB). Who was this god going to replace and why? Consider also verses 7-8. Notice in these verses who brought Israel out of Egypt. In what sense was the golden calf a rejection of Moses? In what sense was it a rejection of Yahweh?
3. Why were Aaron and the Israelites concerned with Moses absence? Why was their attitude wrong?
4. In verse 2, Aaron requests the Israelites to give him their earrings and gold. Where did they get this gold from? What does this say about their hearts? In what ways are you tempted by material possessions?
5. Why does God say to Moses, “I will make of you a great nation” (NASB). Before Moses, who did God make this promise to? What kind of connection does that draw between those two characters and why might that be significant? Would it be right for God to transfer this promise from Israel to Moses? Do you fear losing God's promises? Why or why not?
6. Why does God ask Moses to leave him alone (v. 10)? What did God suspect Moses would do?
7. Think about what Moses asks God in verses 11-12. What did his question mean?
8. In verse 12, Moses asks God to change His mind. Can God change His mind? Why or why not? Also, consider verse 14.
9. If God cannot change, then why does God allow Moses to persuade Him? What does this say about prayer? How might we pray in light of this? Ps. 139:4 may help in thinking about this.
10. Verse 16 says that the tablets were God’s work. In what ways are these tablets similar to the Bible? In what ways are they different?

Key Words/Phrase

Great Sin, v. 30.

Characters

God, Moses, Aaron, Joshua.

Strong Verse(s)

26, 29, 32.