A Theological Pattern? – Prior to our lesson in chps. 25-31, Moses has received instructions on the tabernacle. Then, the same tabernacle theme resumes at chps. 35-40. Sandwiched in-between these chapters is a disruption the impact of which will be the lectionary material for the next several weeks. Today, we explore the disruption proper—a rupture in the world that God intends for Israel. (This disruption is similar to Genesis 1-2 with sin breaking into the pristine relationship between God and our human forbears which is followed by restoration of relationship.) Note the pattern of sin (chp. 32) dialogue and negotiation (chp. 33), and a new covenant again reinstituted (34). [1]

Polemic Behind the Story? – Notice how the story portrays the characters—the people behave and speak as non-covenant people. Deity is addressed in the plural ("gods") the way they carry on at the festival to Yahweh would make pagans blush. Notice how Aaron is portrayed—pitiful and puny—unable to restrain the people, yet Moses is so strong that he succeeds in restraining God. [2]

• Ephrem [fl 363 ] – the people committed the sin that was hidden in their hearts. [3]
• Clement of Alexandria [fl 180 ] – the people acted irrationally and the law had to educate them with the power of reason.
• Ambrose [fl 374 ] – self indulgence leads to idolatry.

 

• Recall your own anxious moment when you worried excessively about a family member: where were they? What was keeping them so long? How did you handle their unaccounted absence?
• Why do you think the Israelites were so quick to turn to idolatry?
• When you feel God is absent, what are you tempted to turn your attention to?

 

I think an interesting approach to our lesson might be to focus on the pattern mentioned above. Note how disruptive chap 32 is to the narrative flow of God’s vision for Israel. You could also suggest how this "pattern" seems to emerge through our biblical, personal history, yet finally moving toward restoration of the disruption as the New Testament so powerfully demonstrates.

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[1] New Interpreters’ Bible I (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994), page 927.
[2] Oxford Bible Commentary, John Barton/John Muddiman, ed. (Oxford Press, 2001), page 88.
[3] Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture III (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2001), page 100.