And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD’S side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.”
The next day Moses said to the people, “You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” So Moses returned to the LORD and said, “Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.” But the LORD said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book. But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.”
Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made.
Comment: The English translation of this passage has three paragraphs, dealing with three separate issues. Firstly – the priestly tribe was dealt with. Aaron was the High Priest and his family were the ones from whom his successor was to be appointed. But all the Levites were given no land and they were to serve the tabernacle. Moses called for those Levites who were willing to follow their calling and then they were to go to and fro ‘and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’ Being part of the priestly tribe was to bear greater judgement! Some of this I have assumed because there were so many Levites (a whole tribe) and relatively few were killed. Secondly – Moses underlined and highlighted for the people how great was the evil that they had done. But then he did what a great leader is called upon to do – he pleaded with God for the people under his jurisdiction. He even offered to take all of God’s punishment upon himself. One man can die for another saving their life (as in war) but they cannot pay the price of another’s sinning. That was left to Jesus, the man without sin, to do for all of us! Thirdly – We are not told what the plague was or when it came on the people but sin has nasty effects – natural effects but also God instituted events!
Prayer: Please never allow my sin be acceptable to me as a little thing; but please preserve me from judging others and from carrying into my future the burden of my already forgiven sins.
As I read it! 