Then the Lord smote the people.

Exodus 32:30-35, And it came about on the next day that Moses said to the people, “You yourselves have committed a great sin; and now I am going up to the LORD, perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” Then Moses returned to the LORD, and said, “Alas, this people has committed a great sin, and they have made a god of gold for themselves. But now, if Thou wilt, forgive their sin—and if not, please blot me out from Thy book which Thou hast written!” And the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book. But go now, lead the people where I told you. Behold, My angel shall go before you; nevertheless in the day when I punish, I will punish them for their sin.” Then the LORD smote the people, because of what they did with the calf which Aaron had made.

It’s difficult passages like this that sets the Bible apart from anything we would write about our family! First, Aaron compounds his involvement by lying: claiming they gave him gold, he threw it into the fire and out jumped the idol of a golden calf! Seemingly, Moses grasps the seriousness of the situation and enlists swordsman of his fellow tribe of Levi to take a stand for the Lord: three thousand men fell that day. Finally, coming before the Lord, he offers his resignation if God chooses to return to His original plan of wiping them out: instead, Moses is spared and those responsible come under God’s judgment. His mercy and grace are indeed amazing as is His judgment.

We thank You that we are safe in Christ against the coming of Your judgment; give us words to speak that others may be covered by His blood, secure from the certain wrath to come.