Tag: Exodus 33

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 30:11–34:35: Learning the Creator’s heart at the golden calf

"The Golden Calf" in the 1890 Holman Bible
"The Golden Calf." The Holy Bible. Illustration. Public domain (U.S.). Philadelphia, Penn.: A.J. Holman & Company, 1890.

Many ask how we can know God. A great picture of the heart of Heaven and the work of Messiah Yeshua is the centerpiece of the Torah reading Ki Tisa (“when you take,” Exodus 30:11-34:35). The reason men count a population is for their own reasons: taxation, war, social engineering, redistribution of wealth, etc. The reason God calls for a count of the people is to build up His tabernacle. Man’s census and man’s laws created bondage and slavery while God’s census and God’s laws give us an outlet for holy service and freedom. This is also why Messiah Yeshua went out of His way to heal people on Shabbat. When Messiah healed people on Shabbat, he gave people freedom. They were now free to fully follow God.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 33: How do we find favor in God’s sight?

A watercolor of a wide, desolate camp with one tent set apart in the distance, bathed in divine light. At the top, the title reads, "How do we find favor in God's sight?" and in the lower right corner, it reads "Exodus 33" and the logo "hallel.info" with the hebrew letter het.

The events in Exodus 33 were a direct consequence of the golden calf in Exodus 32. After that incident, God commanded Moshe (Moses) to move his personal tent outside the camp where the people of Israel were camping. God is a gentleman. When He is not wanted, he leaves.

Moshe was a “shadow,” a teaching representation, of God; and Aharon (Aaron), of God’s Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

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Discussions Torah

Why Understanding Moses Is Essential to Understanding the New Testament

Illustration depicting the biblical scene of the golden calf from Exodus 32–33: the Israelites gathered in celebration around a golden calf idol, with Aaron nearby. Moses stands in the foreground holding the stone tablets, with Joshua at his side, appearing angry as he confronts the people’s idolatry. In the lower left corner, the title reads "Understanding Moses is Essential to Understanding the New Testament."

Led by Richard Agee, the discussion examines Exodus 32–33 and Israel’s idolatry with the golden calf. Under pressure, Aaron fashions the idol from gold earrings. Moses returns, breaks the tablets in anger, and 3,000 die. God relents after Moses’ intercession, emphasizing humility and obedience.

Categories
Discussions Torah

When God Seems Delayed: Lessons from Moses, the Golden Calf, and a Stiff-Necked People

Horizontal oil painting of Moses and Joshua standing on a rocky hillside overlooking the Israelite camp. Moses, an elderly man with white hair and beard, grips two stone tablets inscribed on both sides, his face tense with anger. A bright, cool light illuminates the tablets and his figure. Below, a golden calf stands atop an altar, glowing in fiery orange light as people dance and celebrate around it, creating a stark contrast between sacred covenant and chaotic idolatry. In the lower right corner, is the title "When God Seems Delayed: Lessons from Moses, the Golden Calf and a Stiff Necked People (Ex. 32-33)" and in the lower left corner, the Hallel Fellowship logo

This is a very heavy section of scripture. God tells Moses about the people’s rebellion and calls on Moses to check on the people. God tells Moses that he is willing to take very drastic measures to punish the people and promote Moses to an even higher level.