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The Leadership Vacuum (Exodus 32)

After the lengthy cultic interruption in Exodus 25-31, the narrative resumes in Exodus 32 with the people anxious because Moses has not returned from the mountaintop. This is subtly hinted at in the text, as the Torah commentary notes the transition in Exodus from “the man, Moses” in 11:3 to “this man Moses” in 32:1. People will not wait indefinitely when there is a leadership vacuum. This is why leadership transitions are so critical. Show me a church without a pastor, and I will show you a church at risk. In the absence of viable leadership, people will go back to what they know—to old habits and notions—and in this case the polytheism of Egypt. Despite their grand experience of deliverance under Moses' leadership, his absence up on the mountain with God leaves them vulnerable. It becomes obvious in this episode too that Aaron is certainly not a suitable understudy.

Despite making a golden calf, Aaron clings to the notion that the calf represents God's throne. This is the difficulty for leaders—trying to point people to the one true God while the people pressure them to assimilate in response to the pressures of society. Golden calf worship had been part of their surroundings in Egypt. With the new way of worship in jeopardy without Moses, the leaders were under pressure to yield to a hybrid, or mixture, as Aaron did. Aaron's strategy was too appease the people, and it nearly destroyed the nascent nation.

The Levites then rise to the occasion and respond to Moses' challenge to go through the camp and kill brother, friend, and neighbor (Exodus 32:27). This critical mass of loyal followers turn the tide, but it was not without struggle. Their drastic measure provides the background to Jesus statement in Matthew 10:34-36 (cf. Micah 7:6). Everyone loses in this episode, but Moses' stands with the wayward people and shows a true servant leader's heart. God tells him to resume leading them to the promised land (verse 33). Skillful leadership overcame this internal threat to the nation.
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