Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

26, 27. Moses decides quickly that prompt measures must be taken.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

26 28. The zeal of the sons of Levi for Jehovah. At Moses’ summons, they seize their swords, and slay 3000 of the rebels.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Exo 32:26

Who is on the Lords side?

Who is on the Lords side

I. The conflict, and which is the Lords side. The commands of God versus self-pleasing. Holiness and right, against sin and oppression.

II. The Lords friends, and what they must do.

1. They must own their allegiance openly (Exo 32:29).

2. They should come out and rally to the standard. We do this by open union with the Church, by boldly rebuking sin, by testifying for truth, by not conforming to the world, and by conforming to Christ our Lord (2Co 8:5).

3. They must be willing to be in a minority.

4. They must become aggressive (Exo 32:27).

5. Their zeal must overcome natures ties (Deu 33:9).

6. They must do what they are bidden (Exo 32:28).

III. The Lords host and its encouragements.

1. Their cause is that of right and truth.

2. It is Gods cause.

3. Christ Himself is our Captain.

4. The angels are with us.

5. Thousands of the best of men have been on this side (Heb 12:1).

6. It is the side of conscience and of a clean heart.

7. It is that side of the warfare which ends in heaven and victory.

IV. The question of the text, and proposals for enlistment. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Who is on the Lords side?

I. This is a divine question. If any man love not the Lord Jesus, etc.

II. A spiritual question. Are we new men in Christ Jesus by the new birth?

III. A crisis question. Truth cannot be divided; conduct cannot have two hearts.

IV. A vital question. Treason is in Gods government, what it is everywhere, a capital crime.

V. A determinate question. Ithuriels spear disclosed whatever it touched. This inquiry settles fixedly the state of each man for the eternity he is to enter.

VI. An experimental question.

1. There are only two sides ever to be found.

2. There is great comfort in being on the right side.

3. It is unsatisfactory, profitless, and perilous to be upon the wrong side. The soul will rest nowhere there. There will come no possible advantage from rebellion; danger and destruction are directly in the path of one who lifts himself against God.

4. Any one can know which side he is on, if he truly desires it. (C. S. Robinson, D. D.)

On which side are you?

I. Decision.

1. It is a decision upon the most sublime and important theme which can ever come under a mans notice. God and Satan, truth and falsehood, holiness and sin.

2. This decision, so important and weighty, should be made as early as possible. When Agesilaus came to the borders of Macedon he sent the laconic message, As friends or as enemies? The answer was, We must stop awhile, and take advice. His reply was, While you advise, we march. Wait not. Every hour renders it more likely that you will make a foolish choice.

3. This is a decision of the greatest importance, for it will influence every subsequent decision throughout life. True religion gives a tincture to everything with which the man comes in contact.

4. As to this decision there ought to be no possible difficulty. A man should decide for God, since He is his Creator, Redeemer, Preserver.

5. This decision involves but one alternative. There is no synagogue of the undecided on earth, and no purgatory of middle men in the unseen world.

II. The avowal. Let him come unto me. For God–to me.

1. A coming out from amongst the idolaters. Do not conceal your religion.

2. They were to come to the leader. Follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth.

3. Those who were to come to Moses were, of course, to come to one another. Do not birds of a feather flock together? If God has made you birds of paradise, hasten to fly like doves to your windows.

III. Consecration.

1. Obey Gods will

2. Serve God actively and energetically.

3. Do this at all hazards and costs. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

Only two sides

1. To be on the Lords side is, in the first place, to put your whole weight on Christ Jesus as your personal Saviour.

2. To be on the Lords side is publicly to profess Him.

3. To be on the Lords side you must consecrate your life to Him.

4. Reasons for being on the Lords side.

(1) It is the happy side.

(2) It is the safe side. (T. De Witt Talmage.)

Religious decision

We would enforce upon you the importance of coming to a determinate and decided judgment on the great business of religion. Examine its claims: if they be spurious or unfounded, then reject them; but if they be true, if they agree with certain powers and feelings of your mind, then give to religion the attention its importance demands. Do not play with so keen a weapon; do not trifle on the most solemn of all subjects. Decision of character is a highly valuable quality of mind. It gives to its possessor great advantages over others in the ordinary affairs of life. This quality of mind is needed in proportion to the difficulties which obstruct the attainment of any end.

I. We address ourselves to those who vacillate between God and the world, between religion and irreligion. There is a class, and a numerous class of men, especially in our own enlightened country, who may be considered in this condition.

II. To those who entertain a scriptural hope of salvation, but have not made a public avowal of their faith. This backwardness to associate with the professing people of God results from various causes. In some it is the effect of mistaken views of what is required in order to the fellowship of the Church. In other men, this backwardness publicly to acknowledge the Saviour is the effect of a very lax and unscriptural view of what religion requires. They suppose that if their hearts are right with God it is not at all necessary that they should make a public profession.

III. The language of Moses is applicable to those who have made a profession of religion. That many Christians are open to a charge of compromising their principles cannot be doubted by any who are conversant with the transactions of daily life. (S. Summers.)

Duty of being on the Lords side

I. What is implied by being on the Lords side.

1. On the side of His truth.

2. On the side of His character.

3. On the side of His gospel.

4. On the side of His law.

5. On the side of His honour.

II. Why we ought all to be on the Lords side.

1. The first reason which I shall offer why we ought all to be on the Lords side is, that it is the side of truth and righteousness.

2. As another reason why you ought to be on the Lords side, let me beseech you to consider seriously on what side you are if you are not on His.

3. Consider, further, why you ought to be on the Lords side, how much the Lord has done for you.

4. Another reason why we ought to be on the Lords side is, that it is the side of happiness.

5. Further: let me entreat those who are not yet on the Lords side to consider that they have not one reasonable plea for being on the side of Satan. (Preachers Treasury.)

Decision of character

I. The text clearly implies a solemn fact, that there is a side in antagonism to the Lords–that there are interests, that there are opinions, that there are principles, that there are lives that are in diametrical opposition to the side of God, and truth, and of righteousness. No reflective mind can survey our humanity without coming to this conviction: Surely all this unrighteousness, all this living for self, all this oppression, this worldliness, cannot be on the side of Gods moral government. There are questions of science, and of politics, and of literature on which a man may assume a neutral position; but in the great matter of your salvation, Gods claim to your love, there is and there can be no neutrality. It is not a matter optional with you whether you repent or not, whether you believe or not, whether you are the follower and disciple of Christ or not. It is not a matter to you of utter indifference whether or not you are known in this world to be a child of God and an heir of glory.

II. What is it truly to be on the Lords side ?

1. Let me remark, simply and emphatically, that to be on the Lords side is to love Him. Love and hate to one and the selfsame being are emotions not only incongruous, but impossible in the human breast. There are no two properties in chemistry more opposite to each other in their nature and in their operations than are these two emotions–love and hate.

2. To be on the Lords side is to be on the side of His truth. The truth of God, next to His beloved Son, is the most precious thing that He possesses. Declare yourself on the side of the gospel and on the side of Gods truth; let there be no compromise; let there be no doubt whatever as to the firmness and sincerity with which you hold it.

3. To be on the Lords side is, then, to be on the side of the Lords people. If you are on the side of the Lord, you will not be ashamed of the Lords people. You may find many of them in lowly life, you may find many of them battling and struggling with its difficulties, you may find many of them unlearned and ignorant as touching the lore of this world.

4. But to be on the side of holiness it is essential to be on the side of the Lord. The Lords side is holiness in conflict with sin, righteousness in antagonism with unholiness.

III. Who is on the Lords side? There are many considerations with which one might enforce the challenge, and press it upon your personal and solemn consideration. Let these suffice–

1. It is the only right side.

2. I remark, in addition to this, that it is the only winning side. (C. Winslow.)

Who is on the Lords side?

I. The text implies an opposition.

II. The text advocates a duty. It is the duty of being on the Lords side.

1. To be on the Lords side is to acknowledge Him as the only Lord.

2. To be on the Lords side is to render from the heart actually to Him emotions of reverence, of admiration, and of gratitude, which are permanent and supreme.

3. To be on the Lords side is to abandon and repudiate all refuges which are false, in connection with the great principle of acceptance before Him, and to rest entirely and implicitly upon the one method which He has been pleased to propound, and which is found in the expiation and in the imputed righteousness of His Son.

4. To be on the Lords side is to become practically conformed to His commandments.

5. To be on the Lords side is to be diligent in the advancement of His glory. Again: you are to observe what are the inducements to be on the Lords side.

1. You should be on the Lords side because He possesses an unimpeachable and absolute right to you.

(1) He has the right of a Creator.

(2) The right of a benefactor.

(3) In order to save you from that wrath, He has rendered His most precious and incomparable gift: He gave His own Son.

(4) Because you will be made partakers of vast and incomparable blessings.

(5) Because by not being so you are exposed to overwhelming punishment and sorrow.

III. The text demands a declaration. Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lords side? let him come unto me. God will not have His servants to live in secret and in retirement; they are to proclaim and publish the fact that they are for Him.

1. This declaration should be made by verbal announcement in the intercourse of social life: With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

2. This declaration is also to be made by union with the people of God in the Church of His Son.

3. This declaration also is to be made by active and devoted diligence in promoting the cause of God among the apostate and the rebellious of your race. (J. Parsons.)

The Lords side

I. What is implied in being on the Lords side. It implies–

1. A decided renunciation of the cause of sin.

2. Believingly to choose God as our portion.

3. Cheerful obedience to His commands.

4. An undaunted profession of His religion.

5. A consecration of all we possess to His honour and glory.

II. The advantages arising from being on the Lords side.

1. It is the most honourable side.

2. It is the most happy side.

3. It is the most useful side.

4. It is the most safe side.

Application:

1. Congratulate those on the Lords side. Exhort them to steadfastness and perseverance.

2. Invite poor ruined sinners to throw down their weapons and sue for mercy.

3. Plead with the miserable backslider, that he may return to the Shepherd and Bishop of his soul. I will heal his backslidings, etc., saith the Lord. (J. Burns, D. D.)

On decision in religion

I. There are two great interests in the world–God and Satan. No neutrality.

II. Some are undecided about serving God. They wish to become Christians, and yet will not give up their beloved sins. They have too much knowledge to enjoy the world, and too great a love of the world to enjoy religion; and thus they halt between two opinions.

III. All ought to decide for God.

IV. The sin and danger of remaining undecided. It is base ingratitude and the most presumptuous rebellion.

V. We press immediate decision. It is your duty to God, to yourself, and to the Church of Christ; it is your privilege, and will be both to your honour and advantage.

VI. The way to show your decision. (Evangelical Preacher.)

The right position

I. Great dancer of delusion here.

1. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you have been baptized and confirmed. You may have broken the covenant and trampled upon its mercies.

2. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you attend the Holy Communion. It cannot make a saint of a hypocrite.

3. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you take pleasure in religious services. Herod heard John gladly, but would not abandon his vicious course of life.

4. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you are conscious of no hostility to Him. Few men, however depraved and guilty, really believe themselves the enemies of Christ. Nothing special has occurred to call forth their opposition.

5. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you meditate with delight upon His character. Such is the constitution of the human mind, that it cannot help admiring a high degree of virtue. No doubt the conscience of hell itself is with God.

6. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you faultlessly perform all your social duties. The young ruler.

7. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you sometimes experience slight compunctions for sin. Felix, Agrippa.

8. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you cherish in your heart an ardent desire of salvation. Who has not had such desires? Who would not die the death of the righteous?

9. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you show a commendable zeal in the propagation of your religious opinions. The Jesuit is more zealous than you. So are the Hindoo, Mussulman, Mormon.

10. Think not that you are on the Lords side because you are successful in your efforts to promote Christianity around you. Have you ever equalled the success of the Arabian impostor or of the profligate saints of Utah?

11. Think not that you are on the Lords side because your fair exterior makes others regard you as a true servant of God.

II. What is it, then, to be on the Lords side, and how are you to ascertain your true position? What is implied in loyalty to God and an alliance with Jesus Christ? It implies baptism, for this is the entrance into the Christian covenant. It implies confirmation, for this is the public recognition and ratification of that sacred compact with the Lord. It implies Holy Communion, for this is the formal and frequent repetition of the believers oath of allegiance to his King, the Captain of his salvation. But it implies much more, which is involved in all these, and without which all these can make no man a thorough Christian. If you are on the Lords side, you are for His Church, against all schism; for His truth, against all heresy; for the faith of His saints, against all human theories and speculations. (J. Cross, D.D.)

The Lords side

I. In outward profession they are on the Lords side who have become partakers of the peculiar ordinances which the Saviour has established for His Church. These ordinances He has made imperative.

II. There is another standard which looks far beyond all outward professions in a determination of this question. There is a character which the power of man cannot feign, and which accurately marks those who have enlisted themselves under the banner of the King of saints. These evidences are to be presented, not as the marks by which we may form an opinion of others, but as the testimony by which we may examine ourselves.

1. They who are on the Lords side have been converted by the power of the Holy Ghost from their natural state of blindness and enmity to God.

2. They who are on the Lords side in this division of the world make it their object to live by faith in His promises and power, and as pilgrims on the earth, to become prepared for a better country–that is, an heavenly.

3. They who are on the Lords side experience a daily conflict with the principles of sin. While men are unconverted, this contest is unknown.

4. They who are on the Lords side are going on from grace to grace. The mind of Christ is forming within them. (S. H. Tyng, D.D.)

The challenge of Moses

I. The truths which the text teaches.

1. That there are two great interests in the world–a good one and a bad one–God, the great eternal, on the one side, and Satan, the prince of darkness, on the other. I should not say too much, I presume, if I venture to affirm all belong to God by right. But Satan has usurped a dominion. All are on one side or the other.

2. Some are undecided about serving God. Not from the want of conviction; their consciences speak for God, but their wills rebel.

II. that it is or the utmost importance for us to ascertain to which class we belong. What is implied in being on the Lords side?

1. Enlightenment of mind. It is necessary for us to see both the error and danger there is in being on the side of Satan and sin, and to discover the excellency and superiority of Christs cause and gospel.

2. It is believingly to choose Christ for our portion.

3. It includes obedience to His truth. If we are on the Lords side, we shall delight in His law.

4. It includes a determination of mind to sacrifice everything for Him.

III. Point out some of the advantages of being on the Lords side.

1. It is the most honourable side. It is not the side of the despot or tyrant, but it is the cause and service of the God of love. It is not the service of sin, but of purity.

2. It is the strongest side. And it is astonishing to see how fond some persons are of being on the strongest side.

3. It is the most happy side. This cannot be confuted. For while there is no peace for the wicked, the Christian hath peace with God–an inward tranquillity, to which the world are strangers; the retrospect, and their present experience as well as their future prospects, are fraught with happiness and joy.

4. It is the most useful side. Sin injures others as well as ourselves.

5. It is the most safe side. In fact, no other state is safe.

Learn–

1. The important question,Who is on the Lords side? We congratulate those who are, and would say to them, Be steadfast, unmovable (1Co 15:58).

2. The sin and danger of remaining undecided. It deprives you of present happiness, and, if grace prevent not, it will shut you out of heaven at last.

3. That the way to show your decision is to come out from the world and be separate. (W. Rose.)

Holding up the colours

I remember a story of the Crimean war, of that terrible day at Inkerman in which our little wasted and dispirited army was suddenly overwhelmed, in the mist and in the darkness of a thick November morning, by vast masses of Russians. The men had to fight their way out as best they could. There was one little company surrounded and hemmed in on every side by the enemy, but there were a few gallant and brave men in their midst fighting their way through hosts of foes that hedged them in on every side. There was a voice heard by a spectator at a distance, Hold up the colours; and still as they pressed on, and still as one and another fell, and still as that little company became smaller, still the cry went up, Hold up the colours. Holding up the colours, they fought their way through to life and liberty and victory. Oh, it is a lesson to us; whatever else we do, hold up the colours. Let men know what we are; let them know that we are Christs. On our colours is engraven, Christ and His salvation. Hold fast the colours–there is no fear of the victory. (G. Rogers.)

Are we on the Lords side?

We trust the Lord is on our side, Mr. Lincoln, said the speaker of a delegation of Christian people to that good man, during one of the darkest days of the American Civil War. I do not regard that as so essential as something else, replied Mr. Lincoln. The worthy visitors looked horror-struck, until the President added: I am most concerned to know that we are on the Lords side. The right side is not my side or your side. The Lords side is the place to which every one of us should rally. His banner has right, truth, love, and holiness written on it. Be sure yon stand up for Gods banner, even if you stand alone. (C. H. Spurgeon.)

The choice to be made

Guizot, in his life of St. Louis of France, says that the latter had many vassals who were also vassals of the King of England, and that many subtle and difficult questions arose as to the extent of the service which they owed to these kings. At length the French king commanded all those nobles who held lands in English territory to appear before him, and then he said to them: As it is impossible for any man living in my kingdom and having possessions in England rightly to serve two masters, you must either attach yourselves altogether to me or inseparably to the King of England. After saying this, he gave them a certain day by which to make their choice.

Out and out for Christ

An Irish gentleman, pointing to a young man, once said: Is he an O. O.? What do you mean by O. O.? I mean, was the reply, is he out and out for Christ? This is what all ought to be who bear Christs name. When all who belong to the Lord, one says, are willing to speak for Him, willing to work for Him, willing to die for Him, then Christianity will advance, and we shall see the work of the Lord prosper.

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 26. Who is on the Lord’s side?] That is, Who among you is free from this transgression?

And all the sons of Levi, &c.] It seems they had no part in this idolatrous business.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

He chose the gate of the camp,

1. As the usual place of judicature.

2. That he might withdraw himself from the company of idolaters as far as he might.

3. As a fit place of concourse and resort for those that were on Gods side.

4. To prevent the escape of the greatest delinquents, the rest of the camp being probably surrounded with some trench, or such like thing, else gates had been superfluous and unprofitable.

Who is on the Lords side? who will take Gods part, and plead his cause against idolatry and idolaters?

All the sons of Levi, i.e. the most of that tribe, as that universal particle is oft understood; for some of them were destroyed as guilty.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

26-28. Moses stood in the gate ofthe camp, and saidThe camp is supposed to have been protectedby a rampart after the attack of the Amalekites.

Who is on the Lord’s side?let him come unto meThe zeal and courage of Moses wasastonishing, considering he opposed an intoxicated mob. The peoplewere separated into two divisions, and those who were the boldest andmost obstinate in vindicating their idolatry were put to death, whilethe rest, who withdrew in shame or sorrow, were spared.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp,…. In one of the gates of it; for it doubtless had more than one to go in and out of, as is clear from Ex 32:27 it being probably entrenched all around; here Moses set himself, it being the usual place, as in cities, where the people were summoned together on important occasions, and justice and judgment were administered:

and said, who is on the Lord’s side? [let him come] unto me; who is for the worship of the true God, and him only, and against the worship of a gold calf, or any other idol, and is zealous for the glory of God, and the honour of his name;

and all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him; that is, all those that had not given in to the idolatry of the calf; all is put for many. Jarchi infers from hence, that this tribe was wholly free from that sin; but the contrary is most evident, for it appears from the context that many of them were slain for it; yea, as, on the one hand, they were only of the tribe of Levi, who joined themselves to Moses, though there was no doubt many in all the tribes that were not in the idolatry; so, on the other hand, there were none slain, or very few, but of the tribe of Levi, as will appear in the exposition of the following verses, the being principally concerned with Aaron in making the calf; and therefore those of the same tribe that joined them not were the more zealous and studious to purge themselves from the imputation of the crime, by going over to Moses at once, and showing themselves to be on the Lord’s side.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(26) Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp.The third and crowning step was now to be taken. Though the idol had been seized and its destruction commenced, though Aaron had been rebuked and put to shame, yet the revel continued. Once launched on an evil course, the bulk of the people persisted in it. Moses felt that God was openly insulted by such conduct, against which death was denounced by the Law (Exo. 22:20), and which might at any moment provoke God to destroy the whole people (Exo. 32:10). He therefore proceeded to suppress the idolatry by a stern act of judicial severityan execution on a large scale of those taken flagrante delicto. Standing in the gatei.e., the principal gateof the camp, he summoned to his aid those who were on the Lords side, and gave them orders to go through the camp from end to end, and put to death all whom they found still engaged in the mad revel.

All the sons of Levi.This must not be understood literally. All the Levites would not have heard the summons of Moses, and some were evidently among those who persisted in idolatry (Exo. 32:27-29). In the language of the sacred writers, all constantly means the greater part.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

26. Who is on the Lord’s side A fair call to repentance and loyal return to Jehovah .

All the sons of Levi It was most natural that the men of Moses’s own tribe should at once rally to his side, and thus make atonement in part for their complicity in the sin . Simeon and Levi had troubled Jacob with their swords, (Gen 34:25, compare Gen 32:30 and Gen 49:5😉 now Levi’s sons win a distinction which was afterward celebrated in song. Deu 33:9.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Exo 32:26. Who is on the Lord’s side? See 2Ki 9:32. The Chaldee renders this, who feareth the Lord, let him come to me: that is, whosoever abhorreth this idolatry, and is zealous for the honour of Jehovah: accordingly, all the sons of Levi joined themselves to him; an expression, which, as appears from the context, must mean, all those of the sons of Levi who had not joined in this defection. To them Moses, as, under God, their chief ruler, commits the execution of that dreadful sentence, which God, their uncontrouled Sovereign, had passed. For let it be observed, that Moses acted not here by any private authority, but by the immediate command and direction of Go; thus saith the Lord God of Israel, put every man, &c. God, as King of the Jews, passes this sentence upon the most gross delinquents; such as had been guilty of the blackest treason and basest rebellion against him; a rebellion, aggravated by every opprobrious circumstance. And, considered in this view, the action of Moses calls for no vindication, as it can never be drawn into example, except by one who could produce the same authority from God: and certainly the Almighty, not only as Lord of life and death in general, but as Sovereign of Israel in particular, might, with as much justice, take away the lives of these offenders by the sword of the Levites, as by a pestilence or a famine: while it is very plain to observe, that the impulse by which the Levites acted, as well as the terror which occasioned the people to submit to so small a number of men, must have been immediately from God; otherwise one cannot conceive, that such a number would have submitted to death without any resistance; unless we suppose with some, that they were loaded with liquor, enervated by dancing and sports, and utterly without any arms wherewith to make resistance.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

DISCOURSE: 106
THE LORDS PEOPLE TO BE DECIDED AND FIRM

Exo 32:26. Who is on the Lords side? let him come unto me.

THESE are the words of Moses: and they were spoken on a very particular occasion. Whilst he had tarried on the top of Mount Sinai for the space of forty days, Aaron and the people of Israel, despairing of his return, had made a golden calf to represent Jehovah, and had worshipped that as their God. Moses, on his return, found them in the very act of performing their idolatrous rites; and, filled with indignation against them, he broke the two tables of the Law which he had received from Jehovah, in token that the covenant which God had made with them was altogether dissolved: and he reduced the golden calf to powder, and strewed it upon the water, and made the people to drink of it; that so they might have within themselves a testimony of their folly, and be assured that a cup of merited affliction should one day be put into their hands. And it is remarkable, that the Jews in general conceive that, in all their afflictions, there are, as it were, some grains of this golden calf even to this very day. For Aaron, Moses interceded, and obtained forgiveness [Note: Deu 9:20.]. And on behalf of the people, too, he so far prevailed, that only the ringleaders in this rebellion should be punished in the first instance; though, at a future period, this sin should surely be visited upon them all. To punish those who were most bold and daring in this impiety, and were walking abroad as not ashamed of it, Moses called to him those who were zealous for Gods honour, and ordered them to go through the camp and indiscriminately slay all they met with, without regarding even their nearest and dearest relatives. This was doubtless a most painful service to all who were engaged in it: but they executed it with fidelity, and brought thereby a blessing on their own souls.

Now, let it not for a moment be imagined that Gods faithful servants are called to any such office now. Christianity provides no such bloody employment for its votaries: it consigns the sword altogether to the civil magistrate, who alone is empowered to use it for the punishment of evil-doers. Still, however, there will arise many profitable lessons from this passage: to elicit which, I shall make some observations upon,

I.

The inquiry instituted

Amongst the people of Israel there were, especially of the tribe of Levi, some who had not joined in the idolatrous rites, but had remained faithful to their God: and Moses, standing in the gate of the camp, called them to his assistance, saying, Who is on the Lords side? Now from hence we observe,

1.

That there are two classes, and two classes only, into which the whole world must be divided

[There are some who are on the Lords side; and there are others who are on the side of sin, and the world, and Satan. That in these two great parties there may be many subdivisions, I grant: but there is no third party. Amongst the godly there may be persons of different sentiments and different habits: and among the ungodly there may also be many different degrees of impiety, and different states of mind: but, still, the great leading features of both parties sufficiently and infallibly attest to which they belong. The distinguishing marks of each I shall trace presently: at present I have only to shew, that two parties do actually exist, and must of necessity exist, as long as there continues an ungodly man on earth. They may be very unequal in their numbers, as was the case in the history before us: an immense multitude, with Aaron at their head, were on the side of idolatry; and a little remnant, with Moses at their head, were on the Lords side. It is probable, that, at that time, the friends of idolatry poured contempt on the godly as a party, just as the ungodly world do at this day on the advocates of true religion; forgetting that they themselves also are a party, no less than their opponents. But whose fault is it if the godly are a party? Are they to blame for adhering to their duty, and siding with their Lord? No, surely: the blame must attach altogether to those who turn from their God, and are disobedient to his will. And if the godly be but a little flock in comparison of their opponents, it may be their misfortune, but it is not their fault, any more than it was the fault of Noah, or of Lot, or of Elijah, that they were so circumstanced in the ages and places wherein they lived. Let it not be thought that I am justifying what is usually called a party spirit; for I cannot but reprobate that as a very great evil: hut I do, and must maintain, that to serve our God with fidelity is our bounden duty, even though the whole world, with Aaron at their head, should depart from him: and, if they choose to designate us as a party, I would have no man ashamed of belonging to a party, of which our Lord and Saviour is himself the Head.]

2.

That it is of great importance to ascertain to which class we belong

[Both are alike in this respect, that they are rational and nmortal beings: but in many respects they differ widely from each other: the one are partakers of a divine nature through the influence of the Spirit of God upon their souls; the others are altogether carnal, possessing nothing but what they brought into the world with them. The one live altogether for God; the others, for themselves. The one are in favour with God; the others are under his just and heavy displeasure. The one will, ere long, stand at the right hand of their Judge; the others will be turned to his left hand, differing as widely from the former as goats from the sheep. The one will be exalted to heaven, and be seated for ever on the throne of God; the others will be cast down to hell, and take their portion in the lake of fire and brimstone for ever and ever. Can these differences be contemplated for a moment, and any doubt remain whether we ought to examine to which class we belong? Methinks the matter should not be left in suspense one single moment; more especially since the means of ascertaining the point are close at hand, and easy to be used. The blessed word of God, if studied with prayer, will enable us to form a very correct judgment. True it is, that we cannot determine the question in relation to each other, because we know not what passes in the hearts of men, and can therefore judge of each other by the outward conduct alone: but we have an internal monitor, that will faithfully discharge its office, if we will listen to it, and will declare to us all that it has seen in the inmost recesses of our hearts: and, if we will but lay, to our own souls, judgment for a line, and righteousness for a plummet, we shall soon discover whose we are, and with whom we must expect our everlasting abode.]
To this I will add some observations on,

II.

The direction given

Moses, in calling to him the faithful servants of the Lord, shewed, that the Lords people should on all occasions manifest,

1.

A readiness to confess him

[Neither the authority of Aaron, nor the rage of all Israel, was to deter any one from shewing himself on the Lords side. So neither should any of us be afraid to confess Christ openly in the face of an ungodly world. We err exceedingly if we fancy that there is any third party to which we may adhere with safety to our souls. There are but two governors, to one or other of which we must adhere; the god of this world, and the God of heaven. The servants of Satan are bold in serving him; and the servants of the Lord Jesus must be bold in confessing him: and if, from any motive whatever, we deny him, he will be ashamed of us, and deny us, in the presence of his Father and of the holy angels. I mean not to say, that Christians are to distinguish themselves by foolish singularity in matters of indifference: but in matters of plain duty they are to differ from the ungodly as widely as light from darkness: they are to come out from among them, and be separate, and not to touch the unclean thing, if they would have God for their Father, and approve themselves to him as his sons and daughters ]

2.

A determination of mind to sacrifice every thing for him

[Moses, in his farewell discourse, at the distance of forty years, particularly commends this conduct of Levi, in that he said unto his father and his mother, I have not seen him, neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor know his own children: but he had observed Gods word, and kept his covenant [Note: Deu 33:9.]. And this shews, that, though we are not called to follow his act, we are to imbibe and manifest his spirit, so far at least as to sacrifice every thing to, and for, our God. Our blessed Lord distinctly and frequently inculcates this important lesson: We are to forsake all for himfather, mother, brother, sister, houses, lands, yea, our very life also, if we would be his disciples: yea, we are to hate them all for him, that is, in comparison of him [Note: Luk 14:26.]. Doubtless, in the execution of this duty, we may appear unkind, undutiful, and cruel; but we must be firm, and suffer nothing to divert us from the path of duty: however painful it may be to discharge it, we must proceed, and, in dependence on divine strength, endure firmly unto the end. No doubt, if we are called to advance in opposition to the will of those who have the rule over us, we should be much on our guard, that we give them no unnecessary offence. We are to take great care that we contend for nothing but what is of vital importance, and that in our necessary conflicts we manifest nothing of an unhallowed spirit. But proceed we must in obedience to our God; and if called to an account for it by any human authority whatever, our answer must be, Whether it be right to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye; for we cannot but do what is commanded us by our God.]

As a further improvement of this subject, we will proceed,
1.

To prosecute the inquiry

[Who amongst you is on the Lords side? I have before said, that this is easy to be ascertained: and now let us address ourselves to the inquiry. By nature, we are all enemies to God, and children of wrath. It is by grace alone that our state can be changed, so that we can with justice be numbered as the servants of the Lord. Who then, amongst you, has been made sensible of his guilty and undone state? Who, amongst you, has fled to the Lord Jesus Christ for refuge from the wrath of God? and who is yet daily imploring mercy at the hands of God in his name? Who has given up himself unreservedly to God, as his reconciled God in Christ Jesus? and who is living altogether to the glory of his holy name? These are questions to be asked, and answered, in order to ascertain the point in hand. You must remember, that your having been baptized into the name of Christ will by-no means determine the point: for all the Israelites had been circumcised, and had been baptized also unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea: and as their profession was insufficient to prove them the Lords, so also is ours. Nor will any transient impressions of joy and gratitude prove the point: for such emotions had been lately experienced by all Israel at the Red Sea, though now, alas! they were altogether forgotten. It is the daily life and conversation that alone can determine this all-important point. Examine yourselves then, my Brethren, and prove your own selves. Try whether you are ready to obey the call of God, and to abandon all for Christ. See whether you resemble your Lord and Saviour in the whole of his spirit and deportment. See whether, whilst you profess to be on the Lords side, you are really walking as he walked, and giving up yourselves entirely to him. Decide not the question on any doubtful or insufficient grounds, lest you deceive your own souls, and perish amidst the enemies of God. One thought only I will leave upon your minds; and it is this: If you be not on the Lords side, can you reasonably hope that ever he should be on yours? And if you have not him for your friend and portion in the day of judgment, how awful will be your condition! But an hour before, the whole camp of Israel was filled with the noise of joy and shouting: and in another hour, thousands were smitten down by the swords of their own brethren. So in a few more hours may the most thoughtless amongst you be consigned over to the jaws of death, by the hands of an angry and avenging God. Oh! may God awaken you to your condition ere it be too late! and may you be found of that party, of which God himself is the acknowledged and eternal Head!]

2.

To enforce the direction

[Come unto me, says Moses: and I also would say, Go unto him. If you belong truly to the Lord, you must go and learn from Moses what the will of the Lord is. The tables of the Law must be to you a rule of life and duty. The whole Law is comprehended in these two commandments, To love God with all your heart, and mind, and soul, and strength, and To love your neighbour as yourselves. This is the law of charity, which if you fulfil, you will do well. This is the law of Christ, which every follower of Christ is bound to obey. Go then, daily, and sit at the feet of Moses. For your principles and motives you must go to Christ alone: but for your directory in the path of duty, you must go to the law of Moses, which is a perfect transcript of Gods mind and will. Never can I enforce this too strongly, and especially after what I have said of sacrificing all for Christ. The command to honour your father and your mother is the first commandment with promise: and this shews how high it stands in the estimation of your God. Let it not be less high in your estimation also: and remember, that, except in those things which are directly contrary to Gods revealed will, the commands of earthly superiors should be regarded by you as the commands of God. A sword is indeed put into your hands; but it is for the purpose of slaying, not men, but sin, and Satan, with whom you are to contend, till they are bruised under your feet. Gird yourselves, therefore, for the occasion; and go through the whole camp of your spiritual enemies, and spare neither small nor great. So shall the blessing of God come upon you, both in time and in eternity.]

Fuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)

Mal 2:4-6 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Exo 32:26 Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who [is] on the LORD’S side? [let him come] unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

Ver. 26. Let him come. ] This word through haste and earnestness Moses omitteth. The Chaldee and Greek version supply it.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Who . . . ? &c. Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6).

all. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus), App-6, i.e. all who had not joined in the idolatry. Compare Deu 33:9.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Who is on: Jos 5:13, 2Sa 20:11, 2Ki 9:32, Mat 12:30

Reciprocal: Gen 29:34 – was Exo 32:27 – slay every man Num 1:50 – thou shalt Num 3:6 – General Num 3:40 – General Num 3:41 – General Psa 94:16 – rise up Mal 2:5 – I gave

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exo 32:26. Moses stood in the gate of the camp The place of judgment; and said, Who is on the Lords side? Who abhors this idolatry, and adheres to the true worship of God? The Chaldee interprets it, Who feareth the Lord; let him come to me Let him take Gods part, and plead his cause against idolatry and idolaters. They had set up the golden calf for their standard, and Moses sets up his in opposition to them. The sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him This shows that the defection of the people to this idolatrous worship was general, since none but the sons of Levi joined Moses on this occasion: and it is probable, that even they were not all free from the sin.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments