"Now when Moses saw that the people were unrestrained (for Aaron had not restrained them, to their shame among their enemies), then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp" (Ex. 32:25–26a).
Having caught the Israelites in the sin of idolatry, Moses stood at the gate of the camp—the place of judgment—to declare their punishment. The text describes the Israelites as running “unrestrained,” “naked,” or “wild,” throughout the camp. Like Adam and Eve in the garden, Israel had been stripped of its righteous robes by sin and stood bare for all the world to see its folly and rebellion. This brought shame and dishonor to Israel in the eyes of foreign nations. Egypt and others, though steeped in idolatry themselves, served their gods faithfully, but Israel, who claimed to worship the one true God, failed to remain faithful to Him, and set up an idol of its own making. In doing so, they brought shame upon themselves. This is the way it is with all sin. When we dishonor God through rebellion, idolatry, or whatever sin it might be, we bring deep dishonor to ourselves. It is only when we worship God in purity and truth that we are lifted up with honor and dignity. This is one of the reasons idolatry is so serious. It degrades humanity, creating a wild beast that man dares to worship. When this happens, especially among God’s people, man is shamed by his sin and becomes the laughing stock of the world.
Standing at the gate of the camp, preparing to execute punishment on Israel, Moses called for all those who were on the Lord’s side to come to him. Notice that he didn’t say, “Those who are on my side,” like Jehu did. Rather he called for them to stand on the “Lord’s side.” The presupposition here is that people are either for God or they are against Him. There is no neutrality in this world. It is as Jesus said, “If you are not for Me, then you are against Me.” Those who stood on the Lord’s side turned out to be the tribe of Levi. They alone, out of all the tribes, remained faithful to God’s covenant.
In every age, when part of the church rebels against God, He preserves a remnant for Himself. Sometimes that remnant is very small, and sometimes it is larger than we assume. But whether it be large or small, it is always there—a little flock protected by its loving Shepherd. On that dreadful day at the base of Mount Sinai, the remnant was the tribe of Levi. They alone stood with Moses on the Lord’s side, and so it was through them that God executed judgment on their wayward brothers.
What does it mean to be on the Lord’s side? Read Romans 8:5 several times. Ask yourself the same question Moses asked the Israelites. How does your life show you are on the Lord’s side? If someone were to observe how you live and think, would he clearly see that you are on the Lord’s side? Hate your sin and flee to His side.
