Reading the Bible Through

Deuteronomy 9 - 13   I heard recently that Deuteronomy expounds on each of the ten commandments, in order, after they are stated. So far, this seems to be the case. We have generally been looking at the one and only God. Today, we are reminded of the golden calf idol and the possibility of worshipping as the people they are about to conquer do.  In the age of diversity that I find myself living in, being put to death for suggesting to see how others worship seems quite harsh. However, it also likely cuts down on people suggesting looking at how others worship. 

Exodus 31 - 33   Aaron seems awful quick to agree to make an idol, the golden calf, in this passage it seems to me. Still, I, too, can be far to quick to put something else in front of the Lord. My human pride of doing it myself for instance. It also reminds me today of clergy who have lost their faith but continue as clergy because they have no other training/trade to pursue.  God is about to destroy the Israelites for worshiping the golden calf, when Moses talks God out of it. This speaks to me of the power of talking to God.  Joshua hears the sound of war, but Moses says it's the sound of singing. That singing must have been pretty bad, lol.  Moses is so angry that he throws the tablets engraved by God and they break! It seems disrespectful to me.  Aaron now tells Moses that the golden calf just popped out of the fire, but earlier it clearly says that Aaron shaped it. The story changed. The Levites go and kill 3000 of their own families. Sounds like a massacr...