Page 13 - BCCA3

is one of idolatry. Thus we need to see what led to this idolatry.

4. Who left Egypt with the Israelites? Exodus 12:38.

COMMENT: It is in Exodus 32 that Israel started to worship the gods of these
foreigners.

5. What do we find in Exodus
32:6?

COMMENT: We are also told,
“Moses saw that the people
were naked” (verse 25). What
does the word “play” mean
here? In the Piel-stem form
used here this is the same as
that used about Joseph and
Potiphar’s wife, that is, it is sex-
ual. It is used elsewhere as in
the phrase, “make love to us”.
We can read a number of pas-
sages where the phrase, “play
the harlot” are found. It is used
of that sexual activity which went on in Sodom, and about Isaac “sporting” with
Rebecca his wife. So it is not hard to find the sexual connection of, “rose up to
play”, especially when done naked!

6. Does the Bible indicate who was responsible for instigating this great sin
against YEHOVAH God? Numbers 11:4.

COMMENT: The indications are then that some Israelites had sexual relation-
ships with the non-Israelite or part-Israelite mixed multitude who were travel-
ing with them. The Hebrew word used here (‘avah) is about bodily lusts and
appetites.

7. What did YEHOVAH God tell the Israelites to do as a result of this sin? Ex-
odus 32:27-28.

COMMENT: The number of Israelites who sinned this way is given as being

“about three thousand”. The Levites literally blotted these three thousand out
physically by the sword! They were blotted out of the “Book” as
well! Those who had sinned had not sinned in ignorance, because the eternal
Law of YEHOVAH God was known long before it was given through Moses as
a covenant to Israel. We see this when Isaac and Rebecca were grieved that

13 | P a ge