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Exodus 32:1-14
(Exodus 32:7-14)
With thanks to page sponsor 2014:
Pastor Karen Disney

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Hebrew Interlinear Bible, WLCv, WLC5, CHES, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Hebrew text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary, exposition and sermons.
  • Shemot 32: Massoretic, Hebrew, Aramaic, JPS.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Navigating the Bible: Text/Rabbinic commentary and Divrei Torah.
  • Chapter LIII of The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Clement of Rome (ca. 96).
  • Chapter IV, Chapter XIV of the Epistle of Barnabas. (ca. 130)
  • Chapter XX, Dialogue With Trypho, Justin Martyr. (c 160)
  • IV.XXVII.3, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180) 
  • Chapter I, Adversus Judaeos, Tertullian (c. 198)
  • I.11, Paedagogus, Clement of Alexandria (c 200)
  • Chapter V, On Patience,  Tertullian (c. 202)
  • Chapter III, Scorpiace,  Tertullian (c. 213)
  • II.LXXIV, Against Celsus, Origen. (c.246)
  • Rashi's Commentary, c. 1075. chabad.org.
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The root of Idolatry is when men think that God is not present, unless they see him physically."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary.
    • "Weariness in waiting betrays to many temptations."
  • From Wesley's Notes.
    • "They had a God that stayed with them, but they must have a God to go before them to the land flowing with milk and honey."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
    • "The Hebrew word rendered "gods" is simply the name of God in its plural form. The image made was single, and therefore it would be imputing to the Israelites a greater sin than they were guilty of, to charge them with renouncing the worship of the true God for idols."
• Contemporary References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • Commentary, Exodus 32:1-14, Anathea Portier-Young, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2017.
    • "The people behold the statue Aaron has poured and shaped from molten metal and declare, “this is your god, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt” (Exodus 32:4).."
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2017.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2017.
  • Commentary, Exodus 32:1-14, Shauna Hannan, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2016.
    • "I suggest we discontinue referring to this text as the "golden calf" incident and begin calling it the "God changes God's mind at the request of Moses" incident."
  • Commentary, Exodus 32:1-14, Callie Plunkett Brewton, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2014.
    • "The fact that the people’s rejection of YHWH and the covenant is not the end of the story is a testimony to the ancient Israelites’ experience of the grace of God."
  • "You Can't Have It Both Ways," John C. Holbert, 2014.
    • "Do not imagine that Aaron is dead; he is alive in us whenever we try to have it both ways: a little bit of YHWH and a little bit of the calf, too."
  • "Trying to Contain God," Faith Element, 2014.
  • Pulpit Fiction, plus podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2014.
  • Radical Gratitude, Exodus 32:1-14, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • Aaron and the Golden Calf, Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words.
  • Commentary, Exodus 32:1-14, Amy Erickson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2011.
    • "With the golden calf narrative, preachers have an opportunity to explore with their congregations the stunning, and even surprising, character of God and God's way with the world."
  • "Impatience," Fr. Rick Morley, a garden path, 2011.
  • "Getting Out of Egypt," Debbie Blue, The Hardest Question, 2011.
    • "It's hard to shed the traces of tyranny "
  • "The Politics of Exodus 32:2-6," Aaron Howard, There is Power in the Blog, 2011.
    • "The party thrown in honor of the golden calf lionizes the rich while denigrating the poor."
  • Commentary, Exodus 32:7-14, Rolf Jacobson, at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary, 2010.
    • "A Commentary on Human Nature..."
  • Exodus 32:7-14, Studies on Old Testament texts from Series C, Ralph W. Klein, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.
  • Commentary, Exodus 32:1-14, Karla Suomala, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2008.
    • "Tell me, whose side are you standing on? I'm standing on the Lord's side. Whose side are you standing on? Standing on the Lord's side. I stand, I stand, I stand, I stand..."
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • The Old Testament Readings: Exodus 32:1-14. Weekly Comments on the Revised Common Lectionary, Howard Wallace Audrey Schindler, Morag Logan, Paul Tonson, Lorraine Parkinson, Theological Hall of the Uniting Church, Melbourne, Australia.
    • "In preaching this passage, one might draw out implications for church leadership..."
  • "Aaron and the Gods of Gold," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "Who Dunnit?" Tim Bulkeley, 5 Minute Bible (podcast).
  • "Is Seeing Believing?" Torah Commentary by Alyssa Quint, BeliefNet.
    • "The quick succession in which Moses shatters the Two Tablets and melts down the Golden Calf suggests a parallel between the two objects: both prove equally fragile."
  • "The Golden Calf and the Golden Mishkan," Rabbi Arthur Waskow, The Shalom Center.
  • Parshah Ki Tisa, text, commentary, stories, sermons & articles from Chassidic Masters and others, from Chabad Lubavitch.
  • "Presumption and Humility," Larry Broding's Word-Sunday.Com: A Lectionary Resource for Catholics.
    • "While today's popular media may dwell on the shortcomings of Christian public figures, the Church grows through the example of the common people."
  • "The Golden Calf," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
  • Parshas Ki Sisa, Divrei Torah from The Project Genesis Torah Study. Index to numerous Orthodox articles and studies on 30:11 - 34:35.
  • Parshat Ki Tissa, articles and commentary by the Jewish Community of Atlanta, at The Torah From Dixie.
  • "Golden Calf," Wikipedia.
  • "Golden Calf," article from the (1916) Catholic Encyclopedia.
    • "Most writers have accepted the view of Philo and the early Fathers, who regarded the worship of the golden calves as borrowed from the Egyptians, and in favour of this opinion is the fact that both Aaron and Jeroboam had sojourned in Egypt shortly before constructing their respective idols ... some recent scholars are inclined to seek the origin of the Hebrew bull worship in the conditions and surroundings of the Israelites as an agricultural people, for whom the bull was naturally an appropriate symbol of strength and vital energy."
  • Aaron and the Golden Calf, from And Adam Knew Eve: A Dictionary of Sex in the Bible.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Aberbach, Moses and Leivy Smolar, "Aaron, Jeroboam, and the Golden Calves," Journal of Biblical Literature, 1967.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Bailey, Lloyd R., "The Golden Calf," Hebrew Union College Annual, 1971.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Balentine, Samuel E., "Turn, O Lord! How Long?" Review & Expositor, 2003.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Brichto, Herbert Chanan, "The Worship of the Golden Calf: A Literary Analysis of a Fable on Idolatry," Hebrew Union College Annual, 1983.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Esselstyn, Micki Bingham, "The Angel of Joy Demands Our Participation," The Living Pulpit, 1996. (see Joy issue focus of The Living Pulpit 5.4, 1996.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Flatto, David C., "Golden Sacrifices," Tradition, 2001.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Frankel, David, "The Destruction of the Golden Calf: A New Solution," Vetus Testamentum, 1994.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Hillmer, Mark, "Faith in the Old Testament: Pentateuch and Prophets for Pentecost," Word & World, 1998.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • "Homiletical Helps on LW Series C - Old Testament," Concordia Journal, 2004. (Section on this text begins on page 254.)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Honeycutt, Roy L., Jr., "Aaron, the Priesthood, and the Golden Calf," Review & Expositor, 1977.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Janzen, J. Gerald, "The Character of the Calf and Its Cult in Exodus 32," The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Koyama, Kosuke, "They Are A Stiff-Necked People," The Christian Century, 1989.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Lewy, Immanuel, "The Story of the Golden Calf Reanalyzed," Vetus Testamentum, 1959.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Master, Jonathan, "Exodus 32 as an Argument for Traditional Theism," Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 2002.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • McCann, J. Clinton, Jr., "Exodus 32:1-14: Expository Article," Interpretation, 1990.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • McKay, J.W., "Exodus 32:1-3, 6-8: A Decalogue for the Administration of Justice in the City Gate," Vetus Testamentum, 1971.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Rundin, John S., "Pozo Moro, Child Sacrifice, and the Greek Legendary Tradition," Journal of Biblical Literature, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Slivniak, Dmitri M., "The Golden Calf Story: Constructively and Deconstructively," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 2008.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Smolar, Leivy and Moshe Aberbach, "The Golden Calf Episode in Postbiblical Literature," Hebrew Union College Annual, 1968.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Tiemeyer, Lena-Sofia, "The Compassionate God of Traditional Jewish and Christian Exegesis," Tyndale Bulletin, 2007.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Whybray, Roger N., "The Immorality of God: Reflections on Some Passages in Genesis, Job, Exodus and Numbers," Journal of the Study of the Old Testament, 1996. (Section on this text begins on page 112)
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2014. 2011.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," October 12, 2014, Union Presbyterian Seminary. Connections: Exodus 32:1-14 and Swimmy by Leo Lionni, Philippians 4:1-9 and Olympig! by Victoria Jamieson, Matthew 22:1-14 and A Single Pearl by Donna Jo Napoli. 2011.
  • "Wandering in the Wilderness," "Ten Commandments," Illustrating the Story (lessons, children's sermons), coloring pages, activity sheets, crafts, children's songs. MSSS Crafts.
  • "God Forgives a Faithless People," Sunday School Lessons: Family Bible Study, art projects, music, stories, etc.
  • "The Golden Calf," children's study, puzzles, coloring sheet, etc. Higher Praise Christian Center.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Exodus 32:7, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art: Moses and the Golden Calf, Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld woodcuts, World Mission Collection, Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
  • Moses and the Golden Calf
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
  • Moses/Exodus
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Exodus

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