WEBVTT - The Golden Calf: Part 2 0:00:00.120 --> 0:00:02.199 Previously on the chosen people. 0:00:03.640 --> 0:00:08.800 He's just Lord Moses that hasn't come back yet. It's 0:00:08.840 --> 0:00:13.000 been over a month. Who's starting to wonder what if 0:00:13.560 --> 0:00:17.440 he doesn't come back? Make us a god, Lord, Aaron. 0:00:17.920 --> 0:00:19.200 The people need it. 0:00:19.960 --> 0:00:21.639 Oh, they'll lose heart. 0:00:22.880 --> 0:00:27.160 Maybe how a god will put Moses' spirit inside it 0:00:27.560 --> 0:00:30.319 and he'll inspire the people as Moses did. 0:00:31.520 --> 0:00:35.000 Go and spread the word to all who share your concerns. 0:00:35.680 --> 0:00:40.400 Bring me gold, a supply of gold. With this gold, 0:00:40.479 --> 0:00:43.879 I will do as you ask. Take the gold rings 0:00:43.960 --> 0:00:47.599 from the ears of your wives, your sons, your daughters. 0:00:47.600 --> 0:00:48.519 And bring them to me. 0:00:49.600 --> 0:00:51.200 What are you thinking, Uncle. 0:00:51.760 --> 0:00:55.319 Calm down here. They only want a symbol to guide there. 0:00:55.800 --> 0:00:58.640 Moses's presence is a comfort to them, and I don't 0:00:58.640 --> 0:01:02.000 blame them. Look at all we'd been through, they're still 0:01:02.000 --> 0:01:04.000 going to be worshiping our God. 0:01:04.080 --> 0:01:07.480 There was no mistaking the animal, heat shaped. The calf 0:01:07.560 --> 0:01:10.560 stood about two feet tall and three feet long. To 0:01:10.720 --> 0:01:14.560 buyer approached, inspecting it closely, before turning to the crowd 0:01:14.600 --> 0:01:16.200 and shouting in triumph. 0:01:16.400 --> 0:01:20.360 Ifrael, this is your God who brought you up from 0:01:20.400 --> 0:01:21.360 the land of Egypt. 0:01:22.200 --> 0:01:26.120 The next day they did as Aaron had instructed, offering 0:01:26.200 --> 0:01:30.640 burnt offerings. Before the Golden Calf, food and wine flowed, 0:01:30.640 --> 0:01:33.920 and by midday the camp's moods swelled to a fever 0:01:34.000 --> 0:01:38.240 pitch like a wartime victory, but quickly descended into chaos. 0:01:38.560 --> 0:01:40.759 It is not an idol, it's a symbol. 0:01:42.880 --> 0:01:44.040 Call it which you want. 0:01:44.400 --> 0:01:48.520 The result will be the same, and I will not 0:01:48.720 --> 0:01:49.559 the apartment. 0:01:50.200 --> 0:01:51.720 Come on, how we need to get out of here. 0:01:52.600 --> 0:01:56.600 What you're doing isn't right to buy you. What all 0:01:56.640 --> 0:02:00.200 of you are doing is evil. This is forbidden in 0:02:00.280 --> 0:02:01.400 the eyes of our God. 0:02:02.040 --> 0:02:06.480 How quickly do you forget your promises and forsake your oath? 0:02:08.360 --> 0:02:11.320 A stone found horse temple and sent him flying to 0:02:11.440 --> 0:02:11.880 the floor. 0:02:12.400 --> 0:02:14.080 Blood sprang from his temple. 0:02:14.320 --> 0:02:17.120 He sprang out to escape, but was quickly grabbed by 0:02:17.200 --> 0:02:19.000 Tabai and tossed into the crowd. 0:02:19.520 --> 0:02:22.040 They bound him and fooled him beside one of the 0:02:22.080 --> 0:02:22.880 bonfires in. 0:02:27.120 --> 0:02:30.680 Aaron caught Miriam's arm as she rushed forward, holding her 0:02:30.760 --> 0:02:34.959 back as horror gripped them both. Blood pulled beneath Hor's head, 0:02:35.040 --> 0:02:38.440 and for a long moment they stood frozen, breath caught, 0:02:38.840 --> 0:02:42.120 watching his body battered by the mob. When the air 0:02:42.240 --> 0:02:45.720 finally tore back into Aaron's lungs. He pulled his wailing 0:02:45.800 --> 0:02:49.200 sister away, I see panic, pushing him through the crowd. 0:02:49.800 --> 0:02:53.200 They had to escape to wait out the madness somewhere safe. 0:02:53.760 --> 0:02:57.000 But as he dragged Miriam from the scene, he wondered 0:02:57.000 --> 0:03:00.200 if there was any coming back from this. In his heart, 0:03:00.560 --> 0:03:03.280 he knew they hadn't seen the last of the violence. 0:03:03.800 --> 0:03:06.600 He knew he had made a grave mistake. 0:03:14.240 --> 0:03:19.919 In the shadows of Sinai, idols rise where faith falters. Cello, 0:03:20.040 --> 0:03:22.280 my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel, 0:03:22.720 --> 0:03:25.880 i'm ya l Elstein with the International Fellowship of Christians 0:03:25.880 --> 0:03:30.200 and Jews. Welcome to the Chosen People. We find ourselves 0:03:30.240 --> 0:03:32.959 at the foot of Mount Sinai, where God has spoken 0:03:33.040 --> 0:03:37.400 and his laws have been etched in stone. Our ancestors, 0:03:37.480 --> 0:03:41.440 the Israelites, face a choice between God's covenant and their 0:03:41.480 --> 0:03:46.119 own temptations. As we listen to this story, let's ask ourselves, 0:03:46.560 --> 0:03:52.360 how do we remain faithful when God feels far away. 0:03:54.040 --> 0:03:58.920 Moses sat enraptured as he had for days, listening to 0:03:59.000 --> 0:04:03.040 the Lord's vision for their young nation, the instructions and 0:04:03.120 --> 0:04:07.360 precincts that would become his people's law, setting them apart 0:04:07.640 --> 0:04:12.160 from every other nation. As God spoke, his words appeared 0:04:12.200 --> 0:04:16.600 on the stone tablets, as if an invisible hand inscribed them. 0:04:17.040 --> 0:04:21.240 Moses had never seen anything like it. Hunger and thirst 0:04:21.360 --> 0:04:24.839 felt distant, too faint to pull him from his place 0:04:24.960 --> 0:04:30.320 before God. Then breaking the majestic sight before him, was 0:04:30.400 --> 0:04:36.760 a deafening silence. Startled by the suddenness, Moses straightened, realizing 0:04:36.839 --> 0:04:40.880 his God had stopped speaking, and wondering what caused the interruption. 0:04:41.400 --> 0:04:46.000 Go down at once, Your people, whom you brought up 0:04:46.000 --> 0:04:50.680 from Egypt, have acted corruptly. They have quickly turned away 0:04:50.800 --> 0:04:55.480 from the way I commanded them, Making an image of 0:04:55.600 --> 0:05:01.279 the golden calf. They have bowed down to it, sacrificed 0:05:01.360 --> 0:05:07.479 to it, and declared, Israel, these are your gods who 0:05:07.600 --> 0:05:10.960 brought you up from Egypt. 0:05:11.360 --> 0:05:15.560 Moses' heart sank, as if reading his very mind, The 0:05:15.640 --> 0:05:17.680 Lord broke through moses grief. 0:05:18.080 --> 0:05:22.159 I have seen these people, and they are indeed a 0:05:22.360 --> 0:05:24.400 stiff net people. 0:05:25.080 --> 0:05:29.000 An image sprang to Moses's mind, an ox under its yoke, 0:05:29.320 --> 0:05:34.080 tossing its head, resisting the reins, refusing its master's commands. 0:05:34.839 --> 0:05:36.160 These people. 0:05:37.440 --> 0:05:44.200 Treacherous, defiant, petulant children? Is the memory so short? Have 0:05:44.360 --> 0:05:47.600 you not lifted the yoke of oppression from them? 0:05:48.000 --> 0:05:51.760 Provided there every need, given them the foundation of a nation. 0:05:52.400 --> 0:05:57.080 Moses' thoughts raised, but in his shock he lost all control. 0:05:57.720 --> 0:06:01.880 His body vibrated with anger and fear, fear of what 0:06:02.000 --> 0:06:04.120 would become of his people now that they had so 0:06:04.320 --> 0:06:06.400 swiftly broken God's commands. 0:06:06.880 --> 0:06:11.120 No, leave me alone, so that my anger can burn 0:06:11.200 --> 0:06:17.359 against them and I can destroy them. Then I will 0:06:17.400 --> 0:06:21.520 make you into a great nation. 0:06:22.360 --> 0:06:27.000 God's words of anger stopped Moses racing thoughts. Had God 0:06:27.160 --> 0:06:30.080 just asked Moses to leave him alone? And did he 0:06:30.160 --> 0:06:33.520 truly just promise to make Moses into a great nation. 0:06:33.520 --> 0:06:36.400 Like Abraham that would be coming backward? 0:06:36.600 --> 0:06:40.800 Moses thought these things to himself. What of the promises 0:06:40.880 --> 0:06:44.760 to his people start over? After all they'd been through. 0:06:45.480 --> 0:06:48.880 Though Moses knew he'd be safe, the thought of failure, 0:06:49.360 --> 0:06:53.840 his failure, made him sick. Anger shifted to panic, and 0:06:53.920 --> 0:06:57.680 in desperation, he instinctively turned to bargaining. 0:06:57.520 --> 0:07:02.200 My God, why has your anger burn against your people, 0:07:03.400 --> 0:07:06.560 the ones you brought out of Egypt with great power 0:07:06.600 --> 0:07:10.400 and a strong hand. Why should the Egyptians say he 0:07:10.480 --> 0:07:12.760 brought them out only to kill them in the mountains 0:07:12.840 --> 0:07:17.000 and erase them from the earth. Turn from your fierce anger, 0:07:17.920 --> 0:07:20.160 relent this disaster plan. 0:07:20.040 --> 0:07:27.840 For your people. Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac Israel. You 0:07:28.000 --> 0:07:29.000 swore to them. 0:07:29.280 --> 0:07:31.960 I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars, 0:07:31.960 --> 0:07:34.840 and give them this land to inherit forever. Do you remember? 0:07:35.360 --> 0:07:39.480 Moses clung to that last question like a lifeline. He'd 0:07:39.520 --> 0:07:43.080 already failed as Israel's leader. He could not fail now 0:07:43.160 --> 0:07:46.960 as their advocate before God. If God had chosen him 0:07:46.960 --> 0:07:50.160 for this purpose, it indeed had to count for something. 0:07:50.720 --> 0:07:52.240 It just had to go. 0:07:53.240 --> 0:07:56.720 Leave me returned to the people of Israel. 0:07:57.360 --> 0:08:01.760 Moses was amazed that God had lent it, responding to 0:08:01.840 --> 0:08:05.720 his pleas Perhaps this had been the Lord's plan all along. 0:08:06.200 --> 0:08:08.920 He could have sworn he heard a note of satisfaction 0:08:09.040 --> 0:08:12.560 in his tone. Did God need to see moses loyalty 0:08:12.600 --> 0:08:13.280 to his people? 0:08:13.960 --> 0:08:14.280 Well? 0:08:14.800 --> 0:08:18.120 Moses was now even more determined to set things right. 0:08:19.800 --> 0:08:23.280 A calf ah, have they broken their covenant? 0:08:23.360 --> 0:08:25.320 And so quickly, so blatantly? 0:08:25.640 --> 0:08:29.840 Anger rekindled as he carefully lifted the stone tablets and 0:08:29.960 --> 0:08:33.840 descended the mountain, leaving behind the dark cloud that had 0:08:33.840 --> 0:08:40.000 been his shelter these forty days. Ho Sheer sat cross 0:08:40.080 --> 0:08:43.680 legged on a stone, whittling a rough, four legged figure, 0:08:44.080 --> 0:08:47.920 unsure of what it was becoming. His new blade, a 0:08:48.000 --> 0:08:51.880 gift from the blacksmith after the Amalekite battle, was finer 0:08:51.920 --> 0:08:55.960 than his old hunting knife from Egypt. He paused, straining 0:08:56.000 --> 0:09:01.400 to hear. Was that shouting? He frowned, Camped just below 0:09:01.480 --> 0:09:05.040 the dense cloud covering the mountain peak. He knew Moses 0:09:05.200 --> 0:09:07.240 was inside, communing with God. 0:09:07.920 --> 0:09:08.600 It had been. 0:09:08.559 --> 0:09:12.520 Forty days and nights, and Moses hadn't needed the provisions. 0:09:12.559 --> 0:09:16.840 Hoshier had hunted and kept ready. The distant cries grew louder. 0:09:17.400 --> 0:09:20.640 Hoshia tossed the whittled figure into his camphire, where it 0:09:20.760 --> 0:09:25.160 caught quickly joining others he'd carved out of idle waiting. Yes, 0:09:25.520 --> 0:09:29.120 those were shouts from the camp below. His stomach tightened 0:09:29.400 --> 0:09:32.719 an invader, perhaps the snap of a branch behind him 0:09:32.720 --> 0:09:37.240 made him turn sharply with knife in hand. Moses had returned. 0:09:37.800 --> 0:09:42.680 Relief flooded Hoshier, and he quickly sheathed his knife. Questions 0:09:42.720 --> 0:09:47.880 sprang to mind, but moses unreadable expressions stopped him. Moses 0:09:48.000 --> 0:09:53.120 carried two stone tablets with inscriptions on both sides. Hoshier 0:09:53.280 --> 0:09:59.480 wondered about their origin, but Moses pressed forward, barely acknowledging him. Scrambling, 0:09:59.600 --> 0:10:03.480 Hoshi stamped out his fire and gathered his supplies, determined 0:10:03.520 --> 0:10:08.280 not to be left behind Lord Moses no response, Hoshier 0:10:08.440 --> 0:10:11.000 jogged after him to make up the distance between them. 0:10:11.240 --> 0:10:13.559 Do you hear the shouting? What do you think is happening? 0:10:13.920 --> 0:10:15.880 Could you see from your vantage point on the mountain? 0:10:17.200 --> 0:10:19.240 I think those are the sounds of war coming up 0:10:19.240 --> 0:10:19.960 from the camp. 0:10:20.440 --> 0:10:21.840 It's not the sound of war. 0:10:22.440 --> 0:10:26.280 That's no victory cry or a cry of defeat. What 0:10:26.480 --> 0:10:29.520 your hearing is the sound of singing. 0:10:29.800 --> 0:10:31.480 Ho Sheer strained to listen. 0:10:32.280 --> 0:10:36.040 Yes, there was a rhythmic, melodic quality to the sounds 0:10:36.120 --> 0:10:40.080 drifting up. He tried asking Moses more, but his leader's 0:10:40.320 --> 0:10:44.880 urgent silence spoke volumes, unsettling him more than the growing clamor. 0:10:45.520 --> 0:10:50.360 As they descended, Hosher began to hear horns, strings, drums, 0:10:50.720 --> 0:10:57.120 and unmistakably singing the celebration, but for what. Moses's face 0:10:57.240 --> 0:11:02.320 remained inscrutable, though anger determined, and something like torment flickered 0:11:02.360 --> 0:11:06.520 across it. What did he know that Hoshia didn't. They 0:11:06.600 --> 0:11:10.960 continued in silence until they reached the camp's outskirts, where 0:11:11.000 --> 0:11:14.760 the sounds and smells of feasting and revelry washed over them. 0:11:15.320 --> 0:11:20.320 Hoshier's mouth watered, but something was off. Why was this happening? 0:11:21.040 --> 0:11:24.600 A sense of dread crept over him, and he braced 0:11:24.679 --> 0:11:34.440 himself for what felt like an imminent collision. Each step 0:11:34.679 --> 0:11:41.440 confirmed Israel's grave betrayal, compounding moses anger. He knew he 0:11:41.480 --> 0:11:45.520 should acknowledge Hoshia, dazed and trotting by his side, but 0:11:45.600 --> 0:11:50.040 he couldn't see beyond the mounting blinding fury threatening to 0:11:50.120 --> 0:11:55.160 break his composure. Moses knuckles were white on the stone tablets, 0:11:55.480 --> 0:11:59.160 and his fingers were numb from his grip. Nothing could 0:11:59.160 --> 0:12:01.840 have prepared him for the scene. As he entered camp. 0:12:02.440 --> 0:12:06.440 A drunken madness had overtaken the people. It was like 0:12:06.559 --> 0:12:11.520 the destruction of Sodom come to life. Immorality, violence, and 0:12:11.640 --> 0:12:16.640 wild dancing filled every corner. The closer he and Hoshier 0:12:16.760 --> 0:12:20.040 drew to the center, the worse it grew. With no 0:12:20.120 --> 0:12:24.160 one sparing him a glance. Ho Sheer's shock was plain, 0:12:24.640 --> 0:12:30.040 but Moses was already consumed by fury. God had warned him, 0:12:30.200 --> 0:12:35.640 but seeing it first hand ignited his indignation. Drum beats 0:12:35.720 --> 0:12:38.520 echoed his racing heart, and in the center of it 0:12:38.640 --> 0:12:42.520 all was an altar before a cruel golden calf. His 0:12:42.640 --> 0:12:45.720 brother and nephew were nowhere to be found. How could 0:12:45.720 --> 0:12:50.240 they have led Israel into such blatant idolatry? Moses anger 0:12:50.320 --> 0:12:54.199 reached a breaking point. How could all their suffering, waiting 0:12:54.280 --> 0:12:57.640 and survival have led to this? And beneath the rage 0:12:58.040 --> 0:13:03.480 was annoying. Guilt was his failure, Even if it wasn't 0:13:03.520 --> 0:13:06.679 his hand that molded the calf, he had appointed the 0:13:06.760 --> 0:13:10.480 leaders who allowed it. Where had he gone wrong? How 0:13:10.520 --> 0:13:13.600 could his people betray him like this? But he couldn't 0:13:13.640 --> 0:13:19.200 spiral into self doubt. Now this injustice demanded correction. The 0:13:19.280 --> 0:13:23.160 betrayers would pay. He'd cleanse the camp as God had 0:13:23.200 --> 0:13:25.960 cleansed Sodom, leaving only those who. 0:13:25.880 --> 0:13:26.800 Could be reformed. 0:13:27.559 --> 0:13:30.000 Moses marched up to the stony. 0:13:29.640 --> 0:13:33.120 Outcrop hanging over the camp. He peered down at all 0:13:33.160 --> 0:13:33.760 of them. 0:13:34.000 --> 0:13:38.120 The skies were dark and swirling, mimicking the anger brewing 0:13:38.160 --> 0:13:44.679 in Moses' heart. You stiff next people with fury Moses 0:13:44.800 --> 0:13:48.720 lifted the stone tablets high above his head, shouting as 0:13:48.720 --> 0:13:52.760 he smashed them down. They descended down into the revelry 0:13:52.880 --> 0:13:57.920 like a meteor and shattered fragments, striking the musicians and dancers. 0:13:58.600 --> 0:14:02.880 Everything went silent, and all eyes turned to Moses. The 0:14:02.920 --> 0:14:06.360 people swayed as the effects of the wine faded under 0:14:06.360 --> 0:14:06.960 his glare. 0:14:07.600 --> 0:14:08.560 What have you done? 0:14:09.240 --> 0:14:11.720 The tension in the air was so thick you could 0:14:11.760 --> 0:14:14.520 cut it with a blade, and it was so silent 0:14:14.800 --> 0:14:17.600 that the only sound was moses ragged breath. 0:14:18.000 --> 0:14:19.000 What have you done? 0:14:19.440 --> 0:14:22.680 Moses marched down and shoved his way through the crowd. 0:14:23.160 --> 0:14:25.680 He stepped up to the altar and peered down at 0:14:25.680 --> 0:14:29.880 the pathetic golden idol they had made for themselves. Moses 0:14:29.960 --> 0:14:34.040 spat on it. People gasped, earning them another violent shout 0:14:34.080 --> 0:14:36.720 from Moses. He held up the idol to them. 0:14:37.120 --> 0:14:41.160 So this is what you replace the Lord with a 0:14:41.280 --> 0:14:46.040 three foot tall cow, the god who parted sees and 0:14:46.280 --> 0:14:49.280 sent fire down from heaven, replaced by a bow vine 0:14:49.360 --> 0:14:51.040 that could fit in the child's napsack. 0:14:51.720 --> 0:14:55.479 Moses took the golden calf, hauled it off its pedestal, 0:14:55.720 --> 0:14:59.160 and smashed it on the ground before his now silent people. 0:14:59.720 --> 0:15:03.160 He flung the pieces into the blazing fires, and all 0:15:03.240 --> 0:15:06.760 of Israel watched as the gold and wooden components of 0:15:06.800 --> 0:15:08.880 the idol crackled and melted down. 0:15:09.320 --> 0:15:14.400 Where's erin? Where is her? What madness is overcome? 0:15:14.480 --> 0:15:14.840 You all? 0:15:15.440 --> 0:15:20.760 Have you not a shred of decency? Integrity? Where is 0:15:20.880 --> 0:15:21.760 your loyalty? 0:15:22.200 --> 0:15:25.920 The crowd trembled and whimpered before him at that, but 0:15:26.000 --> 0:15:29.880 no one dared offer up any answers. Hosier was similarly 0:15:29.920 --> 0:15:33.720 shaken disgust and settled into his features as he stood 0:15:33.720 --> 0:15:38.080 behind Moses and watched the scene unfold. Moses turned to 0:15:38.200 --> 0:15:39.480 him and roared, go. 0:15:39.560 --> 0:15:43.240 And find my elders. Find Aaron and her and bring 0:15:43.360 --> 0:15:47.000 them to me at once. Search in every tent and 0:15:47.120 --> 0:15:49.400 under every bedroom until. 0:15:49.160 --> 0:15:53.360 You find them towards Hosier flinched at the harshness of 0:15:53.440 --> 0:15:56.600 moses words, but he did not delay in carrying out 0:15:56.600 --> 0:16:04.720 his orders. At last, Aaron, dragged by the persistently annoying Hoshier, 0:16:05.160 --> 0:16:10.440 was thrown at Moses's feet. Miriam trailed reluctantly behind, ghost like, 0:16:10.760 --> 0:16:14.760 her eyes puffy and bloodshot. Aaron peered up at his brother, 0:16:15.280 --> 0:16:18.520 feeling utterly alone too, stunned to speak. 0:16:18.800 --> 0:16:21.880 Moses, shy and where is her? 0:16:22.520 --> 0:16:24.760 I would not say if I haven't been able to 0:16:24.760 --> 0:16:25.640 find him anywhere. 0:16:26.120 --> 0:16:30.040 Aaron kept his eyes fixed on the ground, refusing to 0:16:30.080 --> 0:16:33.320 look at the faint crimson stain where Hoo's body had 0:16:33.400 --> 0:16:38.120 lain hours before. Miriam choked out a sob, gesturing to 0:16:38.240 --> 0:16:42.680 the spot. Moses and Hoshia gasped as they realized what 0:16:42.800 --> 0:16:45.320 had happened, What why? 0:16:45.600 --> 0:16:46.560 By whose hand? 0:16:47.200 --> 0:16:50.440 Oh, we don't know. 0:16:51.960 --> 0:16:56.640 The mob took him down. 0:16:56.040 --> 0:17:04.280 He tried, he tried to stop the ben. 0:17:09.480 --> 0:17:13.080 Moses then turned his focus back to Aaron, who was 0:17:13.160 --> 0:17:17.240 still collapsed on the ground before him. His shock quickly 0:17:17.280 --> 0:17:20.560 turned to anger as he hurled his accusation at Aaron. 0:17:21.040 --> 0:17:24.040 What did these people do to you that you've led 0:17:24.040 --> 0:17:26.560 them into such gravesin? 0:17:27.240 --> 0:17:30.320 Don't let your anger burn my brother. You know that 0:17:30.400 --> 0:17:31.760 people are bent on evil. 0:17:32.160 --> 0:17:35.119 Aaron shot a sharp look at to buyer in the crowd. 0:17:35.720 --> 0:17:37.960 He would make sure to buy a paid for his 0:17:38.119 --> 0:17:41.800 nephew's murder, and take any blame he could shift his way. 0:17:42.480 --> 0:17:45.840 Aaron wasn't going down for this. He'd only done what 0:17:45.960 --> 0:17:49.000 was necessary to pacify the people's unruliness. 0:17:49.320 --> 0:17:52.359 You know, how they get when they're anxious. They came 0:17:52.400 --> 0:17:55.240 to me saying, make gods for us to lead us. 0:17:55.359 --> 0:17:58.720 Because as for Moses, who brought us out of Egypt, 0:17:59.040 --> 0:18:00.800 we don't know what's happened to him. 0:18:01.320 --> 0:18:04.119 Say you read them an idol to replace God. 0:18:05.160 --> 0:18:08.439 They were fearful, There were even rumors of mutiny. I 0:18:08.560 --> 0:18:11.119 did what I thought would unite them in your absence. 0:18:11.640 --> 0:18:14.119 I feared for my life and for hers. 0:18:15.080 --> 0:18:19.200 Miriam sobs intensified at Aaron's words, and he was forced 0:18:19.200 --> 0:18:22.520 to speak over the sound. It's sickened Aaron, but he 0:18:22.640 --> 0:18:24.760 forced himself to keep up his bravada. 0:18:27.040 --> 0:18:30.720 So I said, bring your gold, and then I threw 0:18:30.760 --> 0:18:31.600 it into the fire. 0:18:32.280 --> 0:18:34.199 And then how came this calf? 0:18:35.080 --> 0:18:38.880 And how came this calf? Did it trot out for crawl? 0:18:39.320 --> 0:18:42.320 Well, it came out, But it was only meant to 0:18:42.359 --> 0:18:47.520 be a symbol, Moses, a reminder of your leadership. I 0:18:47.760 --> 0:18:52.879 organized the worship of our God, not this idol. But 0:18:53.000 --> 0:18:56.879 these people they quickly lost sight of that and slipped 0:18:56.960 --> 0:19:00.800 back into the old ways. Frankly, I'm as, how is you? 0:19:01.480 --> 0:19:06.199 Still On his knees, Aaron held Moses's gaze, waiting for 0:19:06.280 --> 0:19:11.240 his brother's judgment. Though moses rage was intense, Aaron sensed 0:19:11.320 --> 0:19:16.359 something shift, a silent struggle flickering in his eyes. Moses 0:19:16.480 --> 0:19:20.400 flexed his hands, and Aaron felt a queasiness rise. As 0:19:20.400 --> 0:19:23.320 if Moses had just bargained for his life with God. 0:19:23.920 --> 0:19:27.600 He couldn't bring himself to admit his failure, pride weighing 0:19:27.680 --> 0:19:31.680 his words down even as shame settled in his heart. 0:19:33.680 --> 0:19:35.760 Moses's fury towards. 0:19:35.400 --> 0:19:39.679 His brother and his grief for her, surged, meeting the 0:19:39.800 --> 0:19:43.520 righteous anger of his God rising in his mind. At 0:19:43.520 --> 0:19:47.320 that moment, he sensed the lord's intent to strike down 0:19:47.440 --> 0:19:52.120 Aaron and the people. Biting back his anger, Moses strengthened 0:19:52.119 --> 0:19:55.720 his resolve from the mountain, pleading silently for Aaron and 0:19:55.760 --> 0:19:58.960 the people. They were out of control and he would 0:19:59.000 --> 0:20:02.480 need to see who could returned to reason. Tearing his 0:20:02.640 --> 0:20:06.679 gaze from his stubborn brother, he stepped back and addressed 0:20:06.720 --> 0:20:08.800 the disgraced Israelites. 0:20:08.640 --> 0:20:10.600 Whoever is four hour God? 0:20:11.000 --> 0:20:11.560 Come to me? 0:20:12.119 --> 0:20:17.200 A tense stillness hung in the air. Then, cautiously, a 0:20:17.320 --> 0:20:20.240 group on the edge of the altar timidly stepped forward, 0:20:20.880 --> 0:20:24.920 mostly from moses tribe, the Levites. From what he could 0:20:24.920 --> 0:20:28.400 tell they seemed more or less innocent of the drunken 0:20:28.480 --> 0:20:32.520 revelry he had witnessed, though they hadn't stopped the idle worship. 0:20:33.320 --> 0:20:37.119 Moses watched as Nadab and Abie, who emerged from the 0:20:37.160 --> 0:20:40.520 crowd and helped their father to his feet. The trio 0:20:40.640 --> 0:20:45.560 approached Ashamed, with Miriam joining them, her face now stoic 0:20:45.600 --> 0:20:50.120 and determined. Hosher took his place on moses right, offering 0:20:50.119 --> 0:20:55.520 a reassuring look. The others hesitated their guilt, apparent uncertain 0:20:55.560 --> 0:20:56.760 of what to do. 0:20:56.760 --> 0:21:01.200 Do not come forward if you're unsure where your loyalty lie. 0:21:01.240 --> 0:21:06.399 You have worshiped before an idol. If you still wish 0:21:06.480 --> 0:21:09.320 for an earth and leader, I will only tell you 0:21:09.359 --> 0:21:12.720 this once. You will not find one here. 0:21:14.040 --> 0:21:17.960 I follow only the true God, the God of Abraham, 0:21:18.119 --> 0:21:19.160 Isaac and Jacob. 0:21:19.880 --> 0:21:23.359 He will not share worship. 0:21:23.720 --> 0:21:27.560 A few more repentant souls joined the mostly Levite group, 0:21:27.800 --> 0:21:31.320 while the rest stood uncertain, perhaps wondering if they would 0:21:31.320 --> 0:21:35.880 be presented with another choice, or possibly regretting their choices. 0:21:36.640 --> 0:21:40.120 Moses turned his back on the lost Israelites and addressed 0:21:40.119 --> 0:21:41.840 those now standing with him. 0:21:42.000 --> 0:21:46.920 Now, listen carefully, this is what our God, the God 0:21:46.960 --> 0:21:53.159 of Israel, says, every man fastened his sword to his side. 0:21:53.400 --> 0:21:58.359 Go back and forth throughout the camp, from entrance to entrance, 0:21:59.080 --> 0:22:03.320 and each of you h his brother, his friend, and 0:22:03.400 --> 0:22:03.919 his neighbor. 0:22:04.400 --> 0:22:08.040 Audible gasps went up in the crowd before and behind him. 0:22:08.280 --> 0:22:11.400 The Levites and others who stood before him looked apprehensive 0:22:11.640 --> 0:22:14.760 as Moses heard the commotion of what was surely fleeing 0:22:14.800 --> 0:22:16.520 men and women behind him. 0:22:16.720 --> 0:22:21.320 Go you've been given your command. Come back to me 0:22:21.600 --> 0:22:26.000 here at dawn. Cut anyone down who worshiped at the 0:22:26.040 --> 0:22:28.520 foot of the idol or is not repented. 0:22:29.080 --> 0:22:32.760 Moses motioned for Hoshir to follow him, strode over to 0:22:32.800 --> 0:22:34.960 a boulder and sat himself upon it. 0:22:35.320 --> 0:22:41.480 Hosheah, bring me fresh water and food I need to 0:22:41.480 --> 0:22:44.960 eat after my stay on the mounser, be quick about it, 0:22:45.920 --> 0:22:49.800 not terry or entangle yourself in the violence. 0:22:49.400 --> 0:22:49.840 Of the camp. 0:22:50.800 --> 0:22:55.600 Hosher inclined his head and ran off to obey. Moses 0:22:55.760 --> 0:23:01.000 watched as those who deemed themselves faithful cut down their bloods, friends, 0:23:01.040 --> 0:23:05.200 and neighbors. Moses trusted God to judge who should live 0:23:05.280 --> 0:23:08.000 or die, but his anger was still burning at the 0:23:08.040 --> 0:23:13.680 people's failure. He sat in tense silence until Hoshier returned safely. 0:23:14.600 --> 0:23:19.000 Side by side, they watched as the Israelites exacted God's 0:23:19.160 --> 0:23:24.440 justice upon one another. Aaron kept his sons and Miriam 0:23:24.480 --> 0:23:28.119 close at the camp's edge, determined to survive the bloody 0:23:28.200 --> 0:23:32.480 chaos unleashed by his brother's sentence of justice. He hadn't 0:23:32.520 --> 0:23:37.840 survived slavery and desert trials to become collateral damage. Now unarmed, 0:23:38.080 --> 0:23:40.960 he wasn't about to risk crossing camp for his weapons, 0:23:41.080 --> 0:23:43.679 but nade Ab and Obie, who had their hunting knives, 0:23:44.240 --> 0:23:47.800 the brothers flanked him and Miriam. It was better than nothing. 0:23:48.720 --> 0:23:53.000 Just then, Tobaia stumbled around the tent corner, clutching a 0:23:53.080 --> 0:23:56.880 bloody gash in his side. Bloods slipped down his leg 0:23:56.960 --> 0:24:02.920 as he slipped Perhabs. Still drunk, Aaron smirked. Miriam gripped 0:24:02.960 --> 0:24:06.680 Aaron's shoulder in recognition. It was as if their God 0:24:06.760 --> 0:24:10.920 had hand delivered their vengeance for Hoo's murder to Bia. 0:24:11.240 --> 0:24:15.560 Unaware of them, sank into the shadows to hide. Aaron's 0:24:15.600 --> 0:24:18.840 eyes glinted with revenge as he seized a bite his 0:24:19.040 --> 0:24:24.080 knife and stalked forward. He drove the blade into Tobias's 0:24:24.200 --> 0:24:27.399 back and wrenched his head back to meet his eyes. 0:24:28.160 --> 0:24:32.320 Fear and understanding flashed into BIA's gaze as Aaron leaned 0:24:32.359 --> 0:24:33.600 in to whisper. 0:24:33.480 --> 0:24:36.359 The man of the people, it is right that I 0:24:36.400 --> 0:24:39.359 should bring you to justice for your crimes and leading 0:24:39.440 --> 0:24:40.639 us astray. 0:24:40.560 --> 0:24:44.600 To bya tried to choke out final words, but only foamy, 0:24:44.720 --> 0:24:49.240 bloody spittle emerged from his gaping mouth. As Aaron twisted 0:24:49.280 --> 0:24:53.399 the knife further into his back, his eyes glazed and 0:24:53.560 --> 0:24:57.680 life left them. Aaron shoved him forward with his knife 0:24:57.960 --> 0:25:01.360 and wiped the blood on his cloak. He then shrank 0:25:01.480 --> 0:25:04.440 back into the shadows with his family to wait out 0:25:04.520 --> 0:25:10.280 the rest of the night. Three thousand Israelites lay dead 0:25:10.359 --> 0:25:14.720 by day's end. At dawn, the survivors returned to the 0:25:14.760 --> 0:25:18.439 center of camp, but Moses had left before sunrise to 0:25:18.520 --> 0:25:23.600 climb the mountain again, leaving them to clean up the carnage. Exhausted, 0:25:24.040 --> 0:25:26.800 he knelt before God as he had for the last 0:25:26.920 --> 0:25:28.479 forty days before. 0:25:28.600 --> 0:25:30.240 Everything had gone so wrong. 0:25:31.640 --> 0:25:39.320 My God, these people have committed a grave sin. They 0:25:39.400 --> 0:25:42.440 did indeed make a god of gold for themselves. 0:25:43.520 --> 0:25:48.240 Moses paused, recalling the words he had planned on his climb. 0:25:48.560 --> 0:25:57.000 Now if you would only forgive their sin. But if not, 0:25:58.480 --> 0:26:02.080 please erase me from the book you've written. 0:26:03.000 --> 0:26:06.440