Exo 32:1 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Exod 32:1-35: 32:1-35 At the foot of Mount Sinai, after Moses had been absent for many days, the people felt the need for protection, guidance, and a tangible way to express their worship. God knew this and was eager to meet these needs (chs 25–31 ). The Israelites, however, tried to meet their needs for themselves. Fellowship with God requires depending on him (see John 15:5 ; 2 Cor 3:5 ). Summary for Exod 32:1-6: 32:1-6 The people were not willing to wait and see what God had been saying to Moses on the mountain for the forty days while he was there (see 24:18 ). 32:1 The Israelites’ actions were motivated by fear, disrespect for this fellow Moses , disbelief in God’s leadership, and denial of responsibility. They were unwilling to wait for God to reveal his plans of care for them. Refusal to wait on God is often a cause of sin (see 1 Sam 13:7-13 ; Isa 30:15-18 ).

a32:1-35►

b25–31►

cJohn 15:5►

d2 Cor 3:5►

e32:1-6►

f24:18►

g32:1►

h1 Sam 13:7-13►

iIsa 30:15-18►

‏ Exodus 32:1

Summary for Exod 32:1-35: 32:1-35 ^a At the foot of Mount Sinai, after Moses had been absent for many days, the people felt the need for protection, guidance, and a tangible way to express their worship. God knew this and was eager to meet these needs (chs 25–31 ^b). The Israelites, however, tried to meet their needs for themselves. Fellowship with God requires depending on him (see John 15:5 ^c; 2 Cor 3:5 ^d).
Summary for Exod 32:1-6: 32:1-6 ^e The people were not willing to wait and see what God had been saying to Moses on the mountain for the forty days while he was there (see 24:18 ^f). 32:1 ^g The Israelites’ actions were motivated by fear, disrespect for this fellow Moses, disbelief in God’s leadership, and denial of responsibility. They were unwilling to wait for God to reveal his plans of care for them. Refusal to wait on God is often a cause of sin (see 1 Sam 13:7-13 ^h; Isa 30:15-18 ⁱ).