DISCIPLINE AND MERCY

Exodus 32:25-30
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Gold Calf

25 Moses saw that Aaron had let the people get completely out of control, much to the amusement of their enemies. 26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and shouted, “All of you who are on the LORD’s side, come here and join me.” And all the Levites gathered around him.
27 Moses told them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Each of you, take your swords and go back and forth from one end of the camp to the other. Kill everyone—even your brothers, friends, and neighbors.” 28 The Levites obeyed Moses’ command, and about 3,000 people died that day.
29 Then Moses told the Levites, “Today you have ordained yourselves for the service of the LORD, for you obeyed him even though it meant killing your own sons and brothers. Today you have earned a blessing.”
30 The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will go back up to the LORD on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for your sin.”


Read Exodus 32 & 33 for the full context of the situation.

Moses was a masterful leader in this crisis which could have resulted in total annihilation of the nation. He called them to account for their behavior as well as sought out God on their behalf. Such balance of discipline and mercy is vital for leaders at all levels … from the family to the top of the nations.