2. He ground the calf to powder, and constrained the people to swallow it with their drink —
[We need not look for any recondite mystery in this, because the obvious effect of the act itself was sufficiently in- structive. No greater indignity could be offered to this worth- less idol, than that which he devised ; nor any more humiliating punishment be inflicted upon the people, than to compel them to swallow their god, and to " cast him out into the draught" with their common food.
And shall not we, also, be made ashamed of the gods that we have chosen ? Yes : if we will choose " vanity, we must have vanity for our recompence." Do I say, We must ? Let me rather change the word, and say, We have : for I may ask of all the votaries of earthly gam or pleasure, " What fruit have ye ever had of those things, whereof ye are now ashamed ? What have ye done, but " filled your belly with the east wind?" I must warn you, then, that ye shall all " eat of the fruit of your own ways," and " be filled with your own devices." The day is quickly coming, when you shall be as much ashamed of those things which you now regard with idolatrous affection, as ever the Israelites were of their golden calf: yea, and when you yourselves also " shall wake to shame and everlasting contempt s."]
From this subject we may fitly learn,
1. The danger of sanctioning the evils around us —
[Aaron should have rejected with abhorrence the measure proposed to him : but he accpiiesced, and even made himself a ringleader in this vile apostasy. With such a sanction as his, it is not to be wondered at if the people went forward with unsuspecting alacrity, and sacrificed with readiness their most valuable ornaments for the furtherance of their plans. But who does not see how aggravated his guilt was, in comparison of theirs? He, from his nearer intercourse with God, had far greater information than they ; and, from the high office which he sustained, he was bound to use his influence for the sup- pression of evil, and the enforcing of God's commands. The same I must say of all who are possessed of influence amongst ourselves. Whether it be magisterial or ministerial influence that we possess, or only that which is connected with our respective situations in life, we are bound to exert it for God ; and, if we neglect to do so, the blood of those who perish through our neglect may well be required at our hands.
I know that we have excuses without number to offer in our behalf; just as Aaron had when reproved for his conduct on this occasion. But, behold, what a pitiful figure he made, when attempting to justify himself before his reprover ! " Let
s Dan. xii. 2.