Exodus 32:21-2721And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? 22And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief. 23For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. 24And I said unto them, Whosoever hath any gold, let them break it off. So they gave it me: then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. 25And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:) 26Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord's side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him. 27And he said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbor. (Exodus 32:21‑27)
Aaron was rebuked for his part in this idolatry, and though his heart was apparently not in it in the same way as the rest of the people, he was responsible because of his place of leadership.
Moses had interceded for the people on the mount, pleading the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and so here he counted upon the faithfulness of God to preserve a remnant in grace. He knew that there were some who would be on the Lord’s side and so he stood in the gate of the camp and said “Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me.” The sons of Levi came forward at once and stood by Moses. They were all ready for action.
Let us pause here and think of the days in which we live. Surely they are days of eating, drinking, and dancing, just as it was in the camp of Israel. There is a similar call going forth now, urging those who are on the Lord’s side to take a definite stand. How can a true believer go on with the world and its ways? How can he have any part in its sinful pleasures? Our place is outside of it all with our Great Leader, the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not hesitate or delay, but let us go forth to Him. Let us take our stand on His side and at His side before “this present evil world” in which we live.
This stand was followed by action—action too of a very difficult kind to our cowardly natures. They were to take their swords and go in and out among the people. Every one of them was to kill his brother, his friend, and his neighbor. They had said they were on the Lord’s side, now they were to prove it by action. What we find today is much profession but sad to say many who profess the Lord go on hand in hand with the world. It was not so here. There were two definite classes; those who were on the Lord’s side, and those who were not. There was no middle ground. The sons of Levi were not “good mixers,” for they carried their swords and they were not wanted by their idolatrous brothers, friends and neighbors. Undoubtedly they were called “Joy-killers” but it mattered little to them what others thought for they were pleasing the Lord and obeying His command.
And how can a Christian be a good mixer with the world? If he carries his “sword” (the Word of God) he will not be wanted any more than the sons of Levi. Let us notice the order in which they were told to use their swords: it was first on their brothers, then on their companions, and then on their neighbors. Have you and I used the sword as we should? Have we spoken the Word of the Lord faithfully to our relatives? Have we any companions to whom we have never spoken about Christ and warned them of judgment to come? Have we “kept back our swords from blood” in order to keep our friendship with them? And what about our neighbors? Have they heard the way of salvation from us? These are searching questions for each one of us, are they not? but fitting indeed for those who profess to be on the Lord’s side. May we be more faithful and use the “sword of the Spirit” more of ten for God’s glory and the blessing of others! What is greatly needed today is devotedness to Christ, and surely He is worthy of our ALL.
ML 05/21/1950