When Moses delayed coming down the mountain, the people gathered around Aaron and asked for gods to lead them. They said they did not know what had become of Moses, the man who had brought them from Egypt. Aaron told them to bring gold earrings. He used the gold to make a calf, and the people said that this was the god who had brought them out of Egypt.
Aaron built an altar and proclaimed a festival to the LORD. The next day the people brought offerings, ate and drank, and rose up. On the mountain God told Moses that the people had quickly turned aside to worship a molten calf. God spoke of consuming them and making a great nation from Moses.
Moses pleaded that Egypt not say God had brought the people out to destroy them. He appealed to the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. God did not bring the disaster spoken of. Moses descended with two tablets. Joshua heard the noise from the camp and thought it was battle, but Moses said it was singing.
When Moses saw the calf and dancing, he threw down the tablets and broke them. He burned the calf, ground it to powder, scattered it on water, and made Israel drink it. Aaron said that the people were set on evil and claimed that when he threw the gold into the fire, the calf came out.
Moses stood at the camp gate and called those on the LORD’s side to him. The Levites gathered, and at Moses’s command went through the camp; about three thousand died that day. Moses then told the people they had committed a great sin and went up to seek atonement. God said that the sinner would be blotted from his book, and that an angel would lead the people onward.
Moses set up a tent outside the camp for those who sought the LORD. When he entered, the pillar of cloud descended, and God spoke with him as one speaks with a friend. Moses asked that God’s presence go with them. God answered that he would go, because Moses had found favor and was known by name.
Moses asked to see God’s glory. God said that Moses could not see the divine face and live, but would stand in a cleft of the rock while God passed by. Moses cut two new tablets and went up Sinai. God descended in a cloud, proclaimed the divine name, and declared mercy, steadfast love, and faithfulness.
Moses bowed and asked God to go with the people. God renewed the covenant and commanded them not to worship other gods and to keep the appointed feasts and Sabbath. Moses remained forty days and nights without bread or water while the words of the covenant were written on the tablets. When he came down with them, his face shone because he had spoken with God. Aaron and the people were afraid to approach until Moses called them, gave them the commands, and covered his face with a veil.