The following "Question" was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Panorama City, California, and "Answered" by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed from the tape, GC 70-10, titled "Bible Questions and Answers."  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. Copyright 1990 by John MacArthur Jr., All Rights Reserved.

Question

Why was nothing ever said or done to Aaron for making the golden calf in Exodus 32? There was never any mention that he protested against it; why was he not punished?

Answer

If you remember, in Exodus chapter 32, God was dishonored when He was worshipped, as if He could be reduced to a golden calf. They were attempting to worship the true God in a false way. God, of course, came in and there was a serious judgment. Some people died, as you know. The question is, since Aaron, the brother of Moses, led in this operation, why was he not killed or severely punished?

You will remember that he belonged to the tribe of Levi, according to Leviticus, chapter 6. He was in the Levitical line of the priests. He also was of the family, in the tribe of Levi, of Kohath.  The Kohathites were given a very special and unique task of carrying the ark of the covenant. So, he came in a very privileged line. But, that was not the reason that God spared his life. It’s very simple why God spared his life. If you read Deuteronomy, chapter 9, verse 20, it says, “God spared his life because Moses prayed for him.” And on that occasion, Moses interceded for him. And it was the intercession of Moses, and the grace of God in response to that intercession that spared the life of Aaron.

And it does cause me to mention the point that, although God may always have the right to take the life of a sinner, He may, in His grace, choose not to exercise that right, true? Are we not all living proof that God does not always exercise His right to kill the sinner. So, in the case of Aaron, He chose not to for His own holy purposes. 

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's "MacArthur’s Questions and Answers" by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
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