16. Moses diligently sought. Moses was still in charge, making sure that all was done as God commanded. When a goat was used for a sin offering, the blood was not carried into the sanctuary but placed on the horns of the altar of burnt offering. According to the law, the flesh in such cases should be eaten by the priests ( 6:26). That day a goat had been offered as a sin offering ( 9:15), and since the blood was not carried into the sanctuary, the flesh should have been eaten. This had not been done; consequently, the symbolism of the service had been effectively marred.
In failing to eat the flesh Aaron also failed to bear the sins of the people. He could not make atonement for sins he did not bear. This was what made the mistake so serious. The sins that the goat bore should have been transferred to the priests, who would make atonement for them. But in this case there could be no transfer because the priests had not eaten the flesh. All the goat could do was to die. But the work of intercession remained to be done.
He was angry. Moses was noted for his meekness (Num. 12:3), but that did not prevent righteous indignation. At one time his indignation was so great that he threw down the two tables of stone and broke them in pieces, an act for which God did not rebuke him (Ex. 32:19). God Himself was angry (Ex. 32:9, 10). Moses’ anger did not immediately subside, for when he saw the golden calf he ground it to pieces and made Israel drink the water (Ex. 32:20).
There are times when righteous indignation may appropriately be displayed. It is at such times, doubtless, that Paul’s advice applies, “Be ye angry, and sin not” (Eph. 4:26). Of himself Paul says, “Who is offended, and I burn not?” (2 Cor. 11:29). When Paul saw others mistreated, he was indignant. The word here translated “burn” means “to be set afire.” When Moses broke the tables of stone his “anger waxed hot.” For this Aaron reproached him (Ex. 32:19, 22), feeling there was no occasion for anger. But, as pointed out, the Lord agreed with Moses that there was just cause for anger. His anger was due to zeal for God and His cause, not to personal pride or vindictiveness.