Commentary on Genesis and Exodus, Chapter 32 · Moral observations
6. Morall observations.
1. Observ. The absence of the Pastor verie dangerous.
Vers. 1. OF this Moses, we know not what is become. Vides hoc loco absentia rectoris, grandem fieri jacturam populi; Wee see by this place, that the people are in great hazard by the long absence of the governour, Lippom. Let idle Pastors, and secure Non-residents remember this, how that the wolfe will spoile the flocke, when the Pastor is gone: therefore Saint Paul exhorteth the Elders of Ephesus to take heed of themselves and the flocke, because he knew, that after his departure grievous wolves would enter, not sparing the flocke, Act. 20.29.
2. Observ. Men are then unthankfull, when their good is intended and procured.
FUrther, herein is noted their great ingratitude, that while Moses was occupied in receiving lawes for them for their good, they go about to make an idoll: so as Chrysostom noteth, The Jewes the same night sought to take Christ, when he instituted his last Supper for their comfort. The people here renounce Moses, even when he was most carefull for their good, Oleaster.
3. Observ. Excesse in eating and drinking, maketh men forget God.
Vers. 6. THey sate them downe to eat and drinke, and rose up to play. Which sheweth that gluttonie and drunkennesse is the mother of play and wantonnesse: as Gregorie noteth,1. Moral. cap. 5. Cum corpus in refectionis delectatione resolvitur, cor ad inane gaudium relaxatur: While the bodie is too much delighted in outward refection, the heart is let loose to vaine rejoycing, Pelarg. So the Apostle saith, Be not drunke with wine, wherein is excesse, but be filled with the Spirit; the filling with wine maketh us emptie of Gods Spirit.
4. Observ. Against prodigall expenses, in superstition and vanitie.
Vers. 3. THey plucked from them their golden earings. Here appeareth the right guise of superstitions men, that are very sparing in setting forth the true service of God, but are most lavish in decking their idols, as many adulterers doe suffer their wives and children to want, being most prodigall in maintaining their harlots, Simler. They also are here noted, which upon their vanities can bestow whatsoever, as in playing at dice and cards, and such like, but are verie sparing in workes of charitie, as giving to the poore, Oleaster.
5. Observ. The force of the Saints praiers.
Vers. 10. LEt me alone. Wee see what force is in the prayers of the Saints, whereby the Lords hands are as it were tied and bound from smiting: Dei potentiam servi praeces impediebant: The servants prayers hindred the Lords power, Hierom. Ligatum habent sancti Dominum, ut non puniat, Serm. 30. super cantic.nisi permiserint ipsi; The Saints have the Lord bound, that he cannot punish, unlesse they will, Bernard. So the Apostle saith, The prayer of the righteous availeth much, if it be fervent, Iam. 5.16.
6. Observ. Not to be rash in anger.
OLeaster further doth thus collect here, that as God without Moses consent, would not exeicise his fierce wrath upon the people, so men in their anger should consult with their friends, not as Rehoboam, who refused the aduice of his prudent counsellers.
7. Observ. Of the commendation of fasting.
Vers. 19. HE brake them in peeces, &c. Ambrose hereupon thus noteth, Tabulas legis, quas accepit abstinentia, conteri fecit ebrietas; The tables of the law, which abstinence and fasting received, drunkennesse caused to bee broken: that is, as soone as Moses saw the riot and excesse of the people, through anger he brake them: Sterilitatem matris Sampson, vini abstinentia faecundavit: Annam non manducantum exandivit Deus; Abstinence from wine made Sampsons mother fruitfull: and God heard Anna, absteining from meat, &c. And our blessed Saviour saith, This kind goeth not out, but by prayer and fasting.Matth. 17.21.
8. Observ. No respect of persons to be had in regard of Gods glorie.
Vers. 21. ANd Moses said to Aaron. Calvine here giveth this good note, that Moses, the question being of Gods worship, non minus fratri suo germano parcere, &c. doth no more spare his owne brother, then if he had been a very stranger: there must bee no respect had of friendship, kinred, acquaintance, when Gods glorie commeth in question: as the Levites afterwards sheathed their swords even in their owne sonnes and brethren. So the Apostle saith, Have not the faith of our glorious Lord Iesus in respect of persons, Iam. 2.1.
9. Observ. Not to put off the fault to another, whereof our selves are guiltie.
Vers. 22. THou knowest this people. Aaron putteth off the fault from himselfe, and laieth it upon the people: Hic est pernitiosus iam inde ab Adam in nobis inveteratus mos, &c. This pernicious error even from Adam is growne into a custome, to transferre the fault upon another, Lippoman. for so did Adam turne it to Eve.
10. Observ. MercieMercy and justice to be tempred together.
Vers. 27. SLay every man his brother. Videmus in Mose duo contraria, &c. We see two contrarie things in Moses, merciemercy and judgement: merciemercy in his praying for the people, and justice in commanding the idolaters to be slaine, Ferus: which two being joyned together in Governours Civill and Ecclesiasticall, doe make a pleasant and sweet harmonie: as the Prophet David saith, Psal. 101. I will sing merciemercy and judgement, unto thee O Lord I will sing.
11. Observ. We must go on in our calling, though we see others punished before us.
Vers. 24. GOe now therefore, bring the people, &c. Though the Lord did respite the peoples further punishment; yet he would not have Moses be negligent in that charge which was committed unto him: Etsi vult populum punire, tamen nobis pergendum est in nostromunere: Although God intend to punish his people, we must goe on in our dutie, Simler. So when the plague was begun in the host, Moses bid Aaron take his censer, and so hee censed betweene the dead and the living, and the plague staied, Numb. 16.