Portion 21 of 54 · Exodus
כִּי תִשָּׂא
Ki Tisa
While Moses is on the mountain the people build a calf, and the tablets are smashed at the bottom of it.
Start by reading it
Exodus 30:11–34:35
5 chapters. About 20 minutes at an unhurried pace.
Paired reading from the prophets: 1 Kings 18:1–39
What happens
- 01
A census by half shekel — rich and poor pay the same, so nobody counts for more.
- 02
Moses is delayed. The people ask Aaron for a god they can see, and he makes one.
- 03
Moses comes down, breaks the tablets, and then stands between the people and destruction.
- 04
He asks to see God's glory, and is shown God's character instead. Second tablets are cut.
The thing most people walk past
He argues God out of it
Moses does not defend the people. He argues about God's reputation, and about the promise made to Abraham. The text says God 'repented of the evil'. Intercession here changes the outcome.
One verse to carry
The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.
Asked to show his glory, God recites a character. These thirteen words are said in synagogues at the most serious moments of the year.
A question to sit with
Aaron is not punished, and stays high priest. Does the story let him off too lightly, or is it saying something about leaders who buckle?
There is no answer key. This is the part you take with you.