A Golden Calf and the God of Grace
A Golden Calf and the God of Grace
A Journey Through Exodus: The God Who Makes Himself Known
Exodus 25-33
Pastor Tom Yarbrough
Overview of Chapters 25-33
- Collection for Sanctuary, Ark of the Covenant, Table for Bread, Lampstand (25)
- The Tabernacle (26)
- The Bronze Altar, Tabernacle Court (27)
- The Priestly Garments (28)
- Consecration of Priests (29)
- Altar of Incense (30)
- Skilled Crafstmen named, The Sabbath (31)
- The Golden Calf (32)
- Leaving Sinai, Intercession of Moses, God’s Glory (33)
“And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst.”
Exodus 25:8
Parallels between Genesis and Exodus
- Creation account in Genesis = “God said” (x7), ends with Sabbath | Tabernacle instructions in Exodus = The Lord said to Moses (x7), ends with Sabbath
- Gold and onyx in Eden (Genesis 2:12) | Gold and onyx in tabernacle (Exodus 25:3-7)
- Tree of Life in the middle of Eden (Genesis 2:9) | Golden Lampstand designed to look like an almond tree in the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31-40)
- Eden is a temple-mountain with Adam as priest (Genesis 2:15) | Recreated mobile temple-mountain with priests charged to keep it (Exodus 28-29)
- God’s presence with man | God’s presence with man
- Law given (Genesis 2:16-17) | Law given (Exodus 20-23)
- Human rebellion (Genesis 3) | Human rebellion (Exodus 32)
“And all the people answered with one voice and said, ‘All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do.'”
Exodus 24:3b
“And the LORD said to Moses, ‘I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.'”
Exodus 32:9
“…only a little time would pass before they discovered the huge gap between promise and performance. Into this gap stepped the Lord with His gracious provision of the tabernacle, which, with its rounded system of sacrifices and its constantly burning fire consuming the burnt offering, spoke day and night of an atonement, forgiveness and cleansing available to cater for every lapse from the life of obedience that the people had bound themselves to.”
J.A. Motyer
“In Exodus 32, Moses pursues glory in mercy. But this is as nothing compared to God’s own pursuit of glory in mercy — for God sends His own Son as an atonement for sin.”
Tim Chester
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you.”
John 17:1
Pointing to Jesus
- Jesus is the greater Moses. (Hebrews 3:1-6)
- Jesus is the Great High Priest. (Hebrews 4:14-16)
- Jesus mediates a better covenant. (Hebrews 8:6-7)
- Jesus is the greater tabernacle. (Hebrews 9:11-12)
- Jesus is the greater atoning sacrifice. (Hebrews 9:13-14, 10:12-14)
What Does This Mean For Us?
- We can draw near with cleansed hearts in full assurance of faith. (Hebrews 10:22)
- We should hold fast the confession of our hope. (Hebrews 10:23)
- We should stir up one another to love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)
