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Book of Exodus - Chapter 32 - Verse 20

32:20
And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, and strowed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.

Meaning

This verse from the book of Exodus describes the dramatic moment when Moses dealt with the idolatry of the Israelites. After discovering that the people had created a golden calf to worship, Moses took the calf, burned it, ground it to powder, and scattered it on the water. Then, he made the Israelites drink the water mixed with the powdered calf. This action was a symbolic and dramatic way to confront and address the sin of the Israelites. By making them drink the water with the powdered calf, Moses was showing them the consequences of their idolatry and reminding them of the seriousness of their actions. This event serves as a powerful illustration of the importance of staying faithful to the one true God and the consequences of turning away from Him. It also conveys a message of repentance and the need to acknowledge and confront our sins in order to seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Theological Overview

This particular verse from the book of Exodus recounts a significant event in the history of the children of Israel. The act of burning the calf, grinding it to powder, and making the people drink it was a symbolic action taken by Moses to signify the seriousness of the Israelites' sin of idolatry. The theological interpretation of this verse highlights the consequences of turning away from God and worshiping false idols. By forcing the people to drink the powdered calf, Moses effectively demonstrated that the consequences of sin can be bitter and must be fully faced. This event serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying faithful to God and avoiding the temptation to worship anything or anyone else. Additionally, the word study of 'burnt', 'ground', and 'strowed' provides insight into the meticulous steps taken to remove every trace of the idol, emphasizing the need for complete repentance and reconciliation with God.

American Standard Version

And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it with fire, and ground it to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it.
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