BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 21, Day 4: Exodus 32; 33:12-14; 34:4-7

Summary of Exodus 32; 33:12-14; 34:4-7

Exodus 32: When Moses did not return from the top of Mount Sinai, Aaron told the people to make a golden calf. God saw this and wanted to destroy the people and make Moses into a great nation. Moses pleaded for the people and God relented.

When Moses returned, he threw the 10 Commandments and they broke. He then destroyed the idols the people had made. He saved the faithful and murdered the rest. The people were punished with a plague from God.

Exodus 33:12-14: Moses pleads with God to teach him His ways. God promises his presence will be with him.

Exodus 34:4-7: Moses took 2 stone tablets and went up to Mount Sinai. The Lord came down in a cloud and passed before Moses. He declared He was full of love but punished the guilty.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 21, Day 4: Exodus 32; 33:12-14; 34:4-7

8a) He brought upon just punishments for their sins, but when Moses pleaded for the people, he listened. He spared the people and lessened his punishment.

b) God relented when Moses pleaded for the people, reminding God that he had made a covenant promise with Isaac, Jacob, and Abraham to make the people great. He also argued that God’s enemies would say He had evil intent to rescue his people only to kill them. Moses interceded for the people like Jesus. He took the penalty for their sins per se with his arguments.

c) Yes. Those who still refused to turn back to God were killed. Others were struck with the plague. God cannot ignore sin without just punishment. He does not leave the guilty unpunished. “He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

9) God’s judgment is just and appropriate. His mercy is unbounded. Often, it just takes asking, and He will relent. Such an amazing God!

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 21, Day 4: Exodus 32; 33:12-14; 34:4-7

Such a great lesson! It’s great to be reminded that we all deserve the ultimate punishment but God in His mercy relents out of his undying love for us. So great!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 21, Day 4: Exodus 32; 33:12-14; 34:4-7

Aaron, a leader, went along with the people’s will rather than confronting them and putting a stop to it. We must be careful of going along with the crowd, especially when it comes to sinful acts.

Moses interceded for the people and appealed to God’s character, using mercy, grace, goodness, and God’s glory. Moses grew too, showing his heart for the people. And, he prayed as if life depended on it, showing us how to pray, too.

The people still faced consequences for their sins. Those who refused to turn back to God were destroyed. Moses interceded again for those remaining, appealing to God’s mercy and grace. God, once again, relented.

God pleads for God’s presence to go with them to the Promised Land in Exodus 33:12-14.

God proclaims His character in Exodus 34:4-7, that He is merciful and full of grace but also just when it comes to punishment.

We all need to remember there are consequences for our sins, so the closer we are to God, the lesser our sins become (ideally) as we choose God over Satan more and more. But, when we sin, God forgives us in His mercy! So great!