1 September Exodus 32

Without a revelation from God, people run wild.

Exodus 32:25 (NIV) Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies.

The New King James Version says this in Exodus 32:25 (NKJV) “Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies)”.

While Moses was up on the mountain receiving God's laws, the people below started to worry. Moses was gone for forty days, and by the end of that time, the people began to think he might have died or abandoned them. They pressured Aaron, leading them temporarily, to create gods for them to follow. Since they were used to having visible images of gods, this seemed like the natural thing to do, even though it was wrong. Aaron took their gold earrings, which they had brought from Egypt, and melted them down to make a golden idol.

Exodus 32:25 (KJV) “And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies: ”In the Bible, being naked often symbolises feelings of vulnerability, shame, and being exposed. For the Israelites, their nakedness here represents their spiritual weakness and the shame that comes from worshipping idols. It also shows they need protection and guidance, which they can only get by following God's commands.

Aaron's role in this situation is also essential. As the high priest and Moses' brother, Aaron is expected to guide the people in worshipping God. However, he fails to do this, leading them into idol worship and causing them to experience shame. This situation underscores how crucial it is for leaders to guide people correctly and set a good example. Proverbs 29:18 (AMP) says this: “that where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained, but happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God]”.

People perish” where there is no vision. The word translated “perish” or “cast off restraint” in the original means “to loosen” and thus “to expose or uncover.” The same Hebrew word is used in Exodus 32:25 during the golden calf incident: “Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so became a laughingstock to their enemies”

Therefore, this proverb should be understood to mean that when there is no special revelation, people cast off moral restraints; however, when people obey God’s word, they are blessed. These examples are given in the next scriptures:

Isaiah 59:9-10 (NKJV) “Therefore justice is far from us, Nor does righteousness overtake us; We look for light, but there is darkness! For brightness, but we walk in blackness! We grope for the wall like the blind, And we grope as if we had no eyes; We stumble at noonday as at twilight; We are as dead men in desolate places”.

Hosea 4:6 (AMP) “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge [of My law, where I reveal My will]. Because you [the priestly nation] have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children”.

Judges 17:6 (NKJV) In those days [there was] no king in Israel; everyone did [what was] right in his own eyes.

Proverbs 14:12 (NKJV) There is a way [that seems] right to a man, But its end [is] the way of death.

The narrative of the Israelites during Moses' absence on the mountain is a powerful reminder of the consequences of losing sight of divine guidance. Without a clear revelation from God, people are prone to abandon moral restraints, leading to chaos, shame, and, ultimately, destruction. Aaron's failure to uphold God's commands resulted in the people turning to idolatry, exposing them to spiritual and social disgrace. This situation illustrates the importance of strong, righteous leadership and adherence to God's word. Without this vision, people wander in darkness, making choices that may seem right in their own eyes but ultimately lead to ruin. The Israelites' experience with the golden calf is a cautionary tale about the dangers of forsaking God's guidance. It confirms the need for continuous spiritual insight and obedience to the divine revelation of God. When leaders fail to maintain this focus, the consequences extend beyond personal failure—they affect the entire community, leading to widespread moral decay and vulnerability to external threats. Therefore, it is vital to seek and adhere to God's vision, for it is through this that true wisdom, protection, and blessings are found.