How often did the events mentioned in the current Pesukim occur?
Rashi: The events recorded here were ongoing - and should be translated as "Moshe would ... call them", "they would return (come) to him" ... "and Moshe would speak to them."
Ramban: The Torah is describing what happened the first time Moshe appeared with the rays of light - when, perhaps afraid that he was accompanied by the Shechinah or by angels, they moved back, 1 until Moshe called to them, and Aharon and the princes returned to him. Moshe then spoke to them words of peace, and informed them that Hashem had forgiven their sin, at which point the people saw that all was well, and followed suite. 2
What is the significance of the order in which the people returned to Moshe?
Rashi (in Pasuk 32): This is the order in which Moshe would teach the people the Halachos that Hashem taught him: First he would teach Aharon, who then sat on his left. Then Aharon's children; following which Elazar would move to Moshe's right and Itamar to Aharon's left; Next, he taught the Zekeinim, who moved to the sides; and finally, he would teach the people. 1
Ramban: Refer to 34:31:1:2.
With the result that up to this point, the people had learned it once, the elders, twice, Elazar and Itamar three times and Aharon, four times (Rashi). See Eruvin, 54b.
