Deuteronomy 9:12
Then the LORD said to me, ‘Arise, go down quickly from here, for your people whom you have brought from Egypt have acted corruptly. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them; they have made themselves a metal image.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
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God doesn't call them "my people" in this moment; He calls them "your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt." This subtle shift highlights God's immense displeasure, momentarily distancing Himself from their actions and emphasizing Moses' role as their human leader in the face of their profound betrayal. The word "quickly" is used twice, underscoring how rapidly they abandoned God's path after witnessing His mighty acts.
Moses is on Mount Sinai, receiving the stone tablets with the Law from God, when the Lord urgently tells him to descend. He reveals that the Israelites, whom God delivered from Egypt, have already turned away from Him to worship a golden calf, a shocking act of faithlessness occurring mere weeks after receiving the commandments. This betrayal on the very mountain where the covenant was being established sets the stage for Moses' powerful intercession and God's fierce judgment.
God's tone shifts abruptly. He was just calling them 'my people,' but now something has changed. What's happening here?
In this moment, God refers to Israel as 'your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt.' This is a striking change.
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The verse emphasizes how quickly Israel fell into sin. What does this 'quick turn' tell us about human nature and faithfulness?
The words translated as 'quickly' or 'swiftly' appear multiple times in this short passage, pointing to the shocking speed of Israel's rebellion.
Understand the original words
shachath · Hebrew Verb
To act in a way that is morally depraved, wicked, or perverted, often used in Scripture to describe a departure from God's righteous standards or idolatrous behavior.
sur · Hebrew Verb
The act of abandoning the truth, the path of righteousness, or the divine commandments of God in favor of sin or disobedience.
massekah · Hebrew Noun
A physical representation or statue fashioned by human hands intended to be worshipped, which is strictly forbidden under the second commandment as an affront to the spiritual nature of God.
This passage records the immediate event that follows this command to Moses, detailing God's declaration of their corruption and the making of the golden calf.
Psalm 106:19This psalm reflects on Israel's history, directly mentioning their making of a calf and worshipping a molten image, echoing the theme of their swift turning from God's commands.
Romans 1:23This New Testament passage speaks to the universal human tendency to exchange the truth of God for a lie and worship created things, paralleling Israel's sin of idolatry.
1 Corinthians 10:7Paul directly references Israel's sin at the golden calf, linking it to idolatry and immorality, warning the Corinthian church against similar transgressions.
clarkeDeuteronomy 9:12: "And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image."
Thy people - have corrupted themselves - Debased themselves by making and worshipping an Egyptian idol. See on Exodus 32 (note).
gillDeuteronomy 9:12: "And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image."
And the Lord said unto me,.... The omniscient God, who knew what was doing in the camp of Israel, though Moses did not, of which he informs him: arise, get thee down quickly from hence; from the mount where he was; and th…
God doesn't call them "my people" in this moment; He calls them "your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt." This subtle shift highlights God's immense displeasure, momentarily distancing Himself from their actions and emphasizing Moses' role as their human leader in the face of their profound betrayal. The word "quickly" is used twice, underscoring how rapidly they abandoned God's path after witnessing His mighty acts.
Moses is on Mount Sinai, receiving the stone tablets with the Law from God, when the Lord urgently tells him to descend. He reveals that the Israelites, whom God delivered from Egypt, have already turned away from Him to worship a golden calf, a shocking act of faithlessness occurring mere weeks after receiving the commandments. This betrayal on the very mountain where the covenant was being established sets the stage for Moses' powerful intercession and God's fierce judgment.
Moses is on Mount Sinai, receiving the stone tablets with the Law from God, when the Lord urgently tells him to descend. He reveals that the Israelites, whom God delivered from Egypt, have already turned away from Him to worship a golden calf, a shocking act of faithlessness occurring mere weeks after receiving the commandments. This betrayal on the very mountain where the covenant was being established sets the stage for Moses' powerful intercession and God's fierce judgment.
"Then the LORD said to me, ‘Arise, go down quickly from here, for your people whom you have brought from Egypt have acted corruptly. They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them; they have made themselves a metal imag…" — God doesn't call them "my people" in this moment; He calls them "your people, whom you have brought out of Egypt." This subtle shift highlights God's immense displeasure, momentarily distancing Him…
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