Forward to Yesterday
This is one of those passages where it is too easy to be self-righteous. Those people had lost their faith, returned to the familiar, angered Moses and God and got their comeuppance — always easier to revert to the old than to confront current problems, find a new way and move on. But self-righteousness can help nobody and which of us can be sure that we might not have done the same? Consider.
First Moses. Was this a routine visit to the mountain or was this poor leader at his wits end with the response he was getting from his followers and simply had to get out of the situation and chat with his creator? That might explain why this time he was longer than usual.
Next, Aaron. Was he a weaker character who could not cope with the mob, or was he part of the problem, not seeing eye to eye with Moses and ready to seize his opportunity and take over?
Then, the people. Remember they lost any focal points they had when they left Egypt. The Ark was not filling the gap. With Moses present either they could bear it or knew they could not do anything about it. With Moses gone the door was open to take the law in their own hands.
Now back to Moses. Was he really angry or consumed with disappointment to the point of despair? Either way no wonder he threw the book at them and smashed the tablets. Fortunately, God is merciful. Remorse no doubt on all sides, but ultimately God simply tells Moses to pull everything together and begin again.
Anyone who has lived through similar moments will see how frail we all are under extreme pressure. Like the child who, when the whole world seems to be collapsing round his ears, needs somehow to feel deep down that they are still wanted and have a place. Sometimes, in our worst moments, only God can give us that assurance. If reflecting on this story helps us to find it we will be better people and the world around us may be better too.