John Calvin Commentary Exodus 32:21

"And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought a great sin upon them?" — Exodus 32:21 (ASV)

What did this people do to you? He casts the blame on Aaron, since he, who possesses power, seems to permit the evil which he does not prevent. We have previously seen that when Moses went up on the mountain he entrusted his responsibility to Aaron; it was therefore his duty so to preside over them as, by virtue of his power, to restrain the people, however perverse they might be. Consequently, he is deservedly reproved with this severity, as if he had been the author of the sin which he allowed to be committed.

Thus we gather how weighty a burden is borne by all³⁴⁴ who are appointed to be governors; for if any sin is committed through their negligence, timidity, or indolence, they themselves must give an account for it, as if they had given the signal for licentiousness.

The reproof here is very emphatic, namely, that Aaron was as bitter an enemy to the public welfare as if he had desired to avenge himself on his mortal enemies. Not that vengeance would be lawful, even if he had any plausible justification for it, but Moses means that if Aaron had desired to ruin any people, and had therefore purposely endeavored to do the worst thing he could against them, he could not have injured them more. Therefore, he deserves the greater rebuke for having taken such poor care of this unfortunate people, whose care he had undertaken; indeed, for having, as far as it was in his power, brought final destruction upon them.

This, too, is noteworthy, that when God’s service is in question, Moses no more spares his own and only brother than he would an utter stranger. If he had consulted flesh and blood, it would have been easy to invent some excuse for being more lenient towards his brother, since he had been compelled by necessity and violence to make the calf. But, since he knew how strenuously we must contend for God’s glory, he assails his brother as if he were entirely unconnected with him.

This is a rare virtue; but, unless we strive to attain it, we shall often betray God’s cause by our treacherous indulgence towards our relatives.

³⁴⁴ “Tous juges, et chefs du people;” all judges and rulers of the people. — Fr.