FEBRUARY 16, 2026 – UNRESTRAINED

READ: Ex. 32:15–35: … If You will forgive their sin—but if not, blot me out of Your book which You have written …

That God shows repentance does not mean that He permits sin, but that He turns away His destructive wrath, as He later does toward Nineveh (Jonah 3:10). He still offers a present time of grace.

Moses returns, accompanied by Joshua, who had waited for him along the way. They hear the sound of dancing Israelites. In anger Moses throws down the two tablets, written on both sides with God’s own handwriting, and breaks them. It is not stated that he was commanded to do this.

Moses, the intercessor, here reveals his sinful side. Although he stands up for God, he violates something that belongs to God Himself. God does not punish him for this.

Moses then proceeds with just punishment: he burns the calf, grinds it to powder, scatters it on the water, and makes the Israelites drink it. When questioned, Aaron places all the blame on the people and attempts to justify his own actions.

Moses observes that the people are unrestrained (v.25), without leadership and surrendered to their own impulses. He stands at the entrance of the camp and presents the people with a choice: whoever is for the LORD must come to him. The Levites obey his command and kill those who are not for the LORD, whoever they may be. Moses states that he gives this command in the name of the LORD.

He then commands the Levites to consecrate themselves to the LORD by killing their close family members or friends who have turned against the LORD. Only in this way will the blessing of the LORD be obtained. Thus the day ends with a dreadful act of covenant vengeance.

The next day Moses addresses the people, declaring that they have committed a great sin. He promises to ascend the mountain again to make atonement. Moses then pleads with the LORD t bear the punishment the people deserve and even asks to be blotted out of God’s book himself.

The LORD refuses this and states that each must bear his own punishment. Moses, as a sinful man, cannot be a substitute. That role will later be fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ for all who believe in God and love Him.

Why do you love Christ?
Sing: Ps. 106:10