1.  Severity of Sin (Exod 32:7-8): Sin corrupts, ruins, makes one morally depraved and offensive in the sight of God. For a believer who is justified and has obtained eternal life, sin can still destroy his ministry, service and testimony. His privilege to come before God in communion is affected. He is now unable to sing, pray and understand Scripture. Sin separates a sinner from the righteous, just and holy God, the Creator, the Source of life, strength, provision and wisdom. Sin offends God. Idolatry is an attempt to replace God. The people deliberately diminished God into a molten calf, giving credit to it rather than God. Idolatry is anything in one’s heart that one pursues (eg: ambition, greed, stubbornness) that replaces God in one’s life.

2.  Consequences of Sin (Exod 32:9-10): God called His people “stiffnecked” (Exod 32:9), like an ox that is unwilling to carry the yoke and deliberately pulls it in another direction. God’s wrath is just, pure and holy; and is not out of irritation or annoyance. As such, the wrath of God “may wax hot against” the people, and He “may consume them” (Exod 32:10). Although God could easily consume the sinful people in an instant, He was patient to have appointed Moses as their representative to intervene on their behalf. In the past, in His mercy and patience, God sent prophet after prophet to warn His people before He judged them. We must never take the mercies of God for granted.

3.  Remedy to Sin (Exod 32:11-14): Moses did not give up on the difficult, sinful people. Without minimizing or downplaying their sins, he loved them and pleaded to the Lord for them. Moses remembered what God said regarding His people in Exodus 4:22: “… Israel is my son, even my firstborn.” Moses was also concerned for God’s name and glory. So he appealed yet again to God based upon the covenant of God: “Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel…” (Exod 32:13). Moses pleaded so that the people would not be utterly destroyed. Justice was tempered with mercy.

Today, we do not have Moses, but we have Jesus. Recall how Jesus restored Peter although Peter denied Him three times. Sin deserves swift destruction, but God is patient and merciful. Despite the consequences of sin, His people can still repent and return to Him.

Will you then come back to the Lord?