The Calf, The Glory and the Cross

The Calf, the Glory, and the Cross Reading: Exodus 32–34 Theme: When Failure Becomes the Gateway to Glory

They had just been delivered. Just tasted freedom. Just heard the thunder of Sinai and trembled at the voice of God (Exodus 19:16–19). And still, they fell. While Moses lingered on the mountain with God, the people at its base lost patience. “As for this Moses… we don’t know what has happened to him” (Exodus 32:1). So they gathered gold, fashioned a calf, and declared, “This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt!” (Exodus 32:4).

It was unthinkable. A people rescued by the hand of God—now bowing to the work of their own hands. The fire that had guided them became the fire in which they shaped their idol. And with it came a great fall. The tablets shattered. Three thousand slain. A plague sent (Exodus 32:19–35).

Surely this was the end.

And yet—this was just the beginning.

After this grievous sin, God did not abandon His people. Instead, in a moment thick with holy tension, Moses prayed not just for forgiveness—but for intimacy: “Show me Your glory” (Exodus 33:18). And God responded—not with wrath, but with revelation: “I will make all My goodness pass before you” (Exodus 33:19). And then He declared His name: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love” (Exodus 34:6–7).

What kind of God meets rebellion with mercy? What kind of God responds to betrayal with glory?

Our God. The One who turns ashes into beauty (Isaiah 61:3), who makes rivers in the wasteland (Isaiah 43:19), who binds up the brokenhearted (Psalm 147:3), and who, through Christ, reconciles sinners to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Israel’s failure became a gateway to deeper revelation. Their worst moment became the very place where God revealed His character most clearly. This is the rhythm of redemption: our sin opens the door for His grace to be seen more fully (Romans 5:20). Obviously this is not an excuse to sin, but rather shows that where sin increases grace increases all the more (Romans 5:20).

And it all points to the cross. On Calvary, humanity’s golden calf moment reached its peak—we rejected the Son of God. We mocked Him, pierced Him, crucified Him. And in that horror, God poured out His glory. “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things… by making peace through His blood” (Colossians 1:19–20).

You may carry regrets that feel like shattered tablets—irredeemable, final. But the gospel speaks otherwise: Bring your brokenness up the mountain. Watch His goodness pass before you.

Because even the smoke rising from your greatest sin can become the incense through which you see His face.