Exodus 32:1-33:23 + Matthew 26:69-27:14 + Psalm 33:1-11 + Proverbs 8:33-36
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Old Testament – Today Exodus chapter 32 verse 1 made me think about spiritual “boredom” – “When Moses failed to come back down the mountain right away, the people went to Aaron. “Look,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. This man Moses, who brought us here from Egypt, has disappeared. We don’t know what has happened to him.” I guess what made me think in this verse was this – Moses was gone only 40 days and 40 nights, up Mt. Sinai. Granted, the Israelites were in the middle of nowhere, so this actually might be quite a long time for him to be gone in these circumstances. But, my thought is this – Do you think maybe the Israelites had somehow gotten “bored” with God? And I ask this because I wonder if maybe we today get “bored” with God or “bored” with our faith? And if so… why? Why did the Israelites get bored? Why do we get bored? What makes me nervous about getting bored with our faith is that what we see take place later in this chapter to the Israelites I think can happen to us – we can pursue false Gods and indulge in dangerous sins. Typically, I find faith in God and a relationship with God to be the most adventurous thing on earth! However, I will admit that there have been seasons in my walk where I somehow got bored with my faith. And I think if I honestly look back at those seasons, I think the boredom came because I stopped moving forward in my relationship with God. I let my faith kind of stagnate as a status quo. I started to get distracted by worldly things. And I got spiritually bored. And this was not good. So – I wonder – what’s our cure for boredom in our faith? What keeps our faith fresh? Part of me thinks that daily spiritual disciplines are part of the answer. Reading the Bible every day. Really praying every day. Giving thanks to God every day. How about for you? What do you do to keep your faith fresh? If you have any spiritual disciplines or habits you are willing to share with others please post up in the Comments section below! Thanks.
Today in verses 7 & 8 about the golden calf – “Then the LORD told Moses, “Quick! Go down the mountain! The people you brought from Egypt have defiled themselves. They have already turned from the way I commanded them to live. They have made an idol shaped like a calf, and they have worshiped and sacrificed to it. They are saying, `These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.’” What about us in our lives today? Are we so different from the Israelites? Do we make our own versions of “golden calves” today? Do we have idols that we worship? Money? Career? Popularity? Relationships? Addictions? Our Intelligence? Technology? Do these idols stand in the way of our worship of God? Do they stand in the way of our relationship with God? Do these idols defile us? Do we think sometimes that these idols have actually “brought us out of Egypt” – instead of God? Will we give up these false idols and return to worshipping only God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit with all of our hearts, minds, soul and strength? Will you give up your “golden calf” at the feet of Jesus today? Below is the painting “The Adoration of The Golden Calf” by Nicolas Poussin from 1633 –
Verse 30 stood out for me in this chapter as Moses interceded to God for the people of Israel after their sin – “The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a terrible sin, but I will return to the LORD on the mountain. Perhaps I will be able to obtain forgiveness for you.”” And today, we have one more powerful than Moses who intercedes for us to God – and that is Jesus. Our High Priest. The Suffering Servant. The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Commentary on Exodus chapter 32 at bible.org is at this link. Commentary on Exodus chapter 33 at bible.org is at this link. Below is a portrait by artist Guy Rowe of Moses speaking to God, what looks to be the “stiff-necked” people, and the broken tablets from today’s readings. It seems like 32:31-32 might be the fitting verses for this image below – “So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin—but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.”
New Testament – Well, as I read today’s readings, Passion plays came to mind for me. Anyone make a habit of seeing Passion plays? I like seeing them if I can prior to Easter. It’s a powerful reminder of what Jesus did for us on the road to Calvary. Below is an image of Jesus before Pilate from today’s readings by the Italian artist Tintoretto from 1567:
Psalms – Psalm 33 verse 11 is strong today – “But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.” I think the thing that grabs me about this verse is that it is God’s plans – not our plans – that stand firm forever. Therefore, it’s only logical in my mind that we should align our lives such that they are part of God’s plan – God’s kingdom. I think reading the Bible each day is one excellent way to discern what God’s plans are. And then – once we know what God’s plans are, will we then align our lives with his plans? Knowing that his intentions can never be shaken? Or will we keep trying to forge out on our own…
Proverbs – Proverbs chapter 8 verse 36 today tells us – “”But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death.”” This is a powerful reminder of why we should seek and love God’s wisdom all of our lives. Let us not injure ourselves! Let us not hate wisdom. Let us not love death.
Worship Video: Our readings today reminded me of this Maverick City song with Kirk Franklin called “My Life is In Your Hands:”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joUMvH9v4vw
Is your Life in God’s Hands? Click here and be Held forevermore!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on two verses of Scripture today: “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD. But whoever fails to find me harms himself; all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:35-36 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you will never hate God or fail to find Jesus.
Comments from You and Questions of the Day: The Golden Calf readings… Are we so different from the Israelites? Do we make our own versions of “golden calves” today? Do we have idols that we worship? Money? Career? Popularity? Relationships? Addictions? Our Intelligence? Technology? Do these idols stand in the way of our worship of God? Do they stand in the way of our relationship with God? Do these idols defile us? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings? Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
======= Ramona:
Exodus 32-33:23
Aaron, Aaron, Aaron, where did you go wrong? Could Aaron’s sin become our sin? Are we any less off the beaten path then Aaron? What could have been going through the “boys” mind to cause him to say something as dumb as this?
For they said to me, Make us gods which shall go before us; as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him. I said to them, Those who have any gold, let them take it off. So they gave it to me; then I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf. (Exodus 32:23-24 AMP)
Moses was Aaron’s baby brother; yet, hear again, we see the younger leading. God had given Aaron a supporting role and unlike his brother, he did not have to run away to some desert because of a crime. Yet here was the younger brother going up the mountain to meet with God, leaving him down in the valley with the murmurers and complainers. I don’t really know if what I’ve stated is true but what else could have been going on in this man’s mind to think he could just say, “I cast it into the fire, and there came out this calf.” Did he think everyone, including his brother, was crazy enough to believe it? Well, maybe not crazy but with what had previously happened in Egypt it could have been plausible.
It was Aaron who threw down Moses’ staff in front of Pharaoh that swallowed up the magicians’ staffs. It was his hand, not Moses’ that triggered the rest of the Plagues. That didn’t happen because of anything Aaron had within him, but it happened because God ordained it and called it into being.
THE LORD said to Moses, Behold, I make you as God to Pharaoh [to declare My will and purpose to him]; and Aaron your brother shall be your prophet. You shall speak all that I command you, and Aaron your brother shall tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his land. (Exodus 7:1-2 AMP).
Aaron was trying to extend his run, so to speak, in the desert. He had an audience back in Egypt who were privy to see the destruction that came at the flick of his hand, or so it would seem, but his ministry of miracles was over in the desert.
We must be ever so careful not to lust after leadership position. To Aaron it was not a stretch to tell a “little” lie about the calf popping out of the fire hadn’t this kind of stuff happened in Egypt. It is so easy for us to try to stay in the limelight by operating in the flesh and calling up past actions to validate works of the flesh. Let us not become little Aarons.
Mike-This is concerning your questions about boredom. They reminded me of the former president of my college, a nun, who would say, “If something makes you bored then it is not the something or the someone who is boring, it is you.” She would go on to say, “If you were on a desert island all by yourself, could you entertain yourself?”
The first time I heard those words from that woman was over 20 years ago, and your questions brought back her words with a vengeance. If these words by this nun are correct, then we must also throw in the mix of your multiple questions on being “spiritually bored,” “What do we see or not see in ourselves that we must rely on others or things to be sufficiently entertained?”
I googled “definition of bored” and of the several things that popped up is:
Boredom, boring, bored: A chosen state of mind brought on by laziness and the firm belief that others are in charge of the so supposedly afflicted person’s own entertainment.
This puts an entirely different spin on “spiritual boredom.”
Grace and peace,
Ramona
======== Micah Girl:
Idolatry occurs when there is an absence of spiritual leadership. Bob Deffinbaugh elaborates on this in the first link. Moses is gone, and Aaron is apparently in charge, and he can’t handle it. He not only gives into idolatry, he shapes the golden calf himself. And the spiritual (and probably physical) orgy that ensues is such a sharp contrast to the law of God in Moses’ hands.
I feel warned by Aaron’s actions that I need to be sure never to give in to pressure or lead others astray. The consequences are horrible and grieve the heart of God.
Micah Girl
======= Jeff:
I’m struggling with understanding the idea that Jesus felt that God had “forsaken” Him while He was dying on the cross. I’m referring here to Jesus’ last words before His death–Matthew 27:46 says, About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” —which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
The previous night (Thursday) after the Last Supper, He went to Gethsemane with His disciples. There he prayed “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (see Matthew 26:39) He said this same prayer 3 times that night (see also verses 42 and 43). Until this point in Jesus’ ministry, it seems that He knew who He was and what His mission was to be here on earth. Yet at this point Jesus seems to want to back away from his final suffering, death, and resurrection. And although he is willing to submit to His Father’s will, Jesus seems not to want to go through with it–according to verses 37-38 Jesus was “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.”
Why did Jesus not want to fulfill His destiny?
Why did Jesus feel abandoned by God? And did God in fact abandon Him? Why?
What does this mean for us?
Peace to you all,
Jeff
P.S. I’m not asking you for answers to all these questions, just your reaction to any aspect of these thoughts.
========= Anka:
Re:Jeff I think Jesus had all our sins on him on the cross so God just turned his back because he just can’t face sin.If as I understand,Jesus was 100% human,100% God,he already knew his destiny as God knows the beginning and the end of everything…I think as a human,the thought of having to go through all that suffering..{the bloody sweat mentioned in Luke(hematidrosis)happens to people who undergo severe psychological or physiological stress}would make any human want to walk away.
Jesus as God would also have hated sin as well so for him to carry all our sins must have been really hard.Personally,I blown away by his sacrifice of love and God’s mercy to those who are still refusing to accept a gift that cost Jesus so much..
Anka
========= John:
Jeff,
Jesus was often referred to as Rabboni or Teacher.
In Jewish culture, if someone had a question of the local Rabbi/teacher that involved the scriptures. Often the Rabbi would cite the first verse of a chapter. The listener would know it as such and go study the whole chapter for his answer. This is because there were no chapter and verse divisions on the scrolls.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is the first line of the Messianic Psalm 22 describing Crucifixion. I think part of what is going on is Jesus is instructing the people at Calvary to look at the Psalm and realize he was the Messiah.
I think also that God could not look upon sin – as Anka stated. Maybe God did foresake the man part of Jesus, and turn his back to him. Or maybe God just distanced himself from Jesus like he did to David when David sinned. Theologians argue this point. I find it difficult to believe that Jesus’ deity side was ever separated from God. But it is on my list of ten questions to ask God when I meet him in heaven.
John
======= Andrew:
It is heartbreaking to see how fickle people are. The Israelites had seen the most amazing signs of the power of God. Peter had lived so closely with Jesus and experienced so much with Him. The Israelites knew Moses had gone up the mountain to meet with God, yet they had no patience to wait a couple of fortnights for him to return. And Peter was just scared and wanting to save his face and maybe his own skin.
We humans are such hopeless cases! How and why does God have any more hope or patience in His dealings with us?
Andrew
======= Roslyn:
The words boredom/bored as well as depression/feeling depressed were completely new to me when I first came to the states. I had to add them to my vocabulary list. I could not quite understand why Americans kept saying “I feel bored” or I am feeling depressed.” I come from culture where people though materially lacking are joyful because of their strong social and familial connections and their strong abiding faith in God. Simple but a happy people!
God relenting to Moses shows us an understanding and compassionate God, that He was willing to listen.
“Turn from your fierce anger, relent and do not bring disaster on your people.” God did relent, He is not always the fierce and angry God that we’ve seen in the earlier readings.
Indeed, “the plans of the Lord stands firm forever…” Aligning our life with God’s plans makes for joyful living, filled with beautiful surprises for God’s intentions are always good.
“For whoever finds me, finds life…” Life that is not centered in God is a meaningless life, a life oof desperation and hopelessness.
Roslyn
========== Laura:
I wondered as I read this morning whether Moses had become for then a visual symbol of God–an idol of sorts–upon which their faith had become dependent. I wonder if I have such crutches…
Laura
======= Andrew:
Re Laura’s thought about symbols of God as crutches:
I think it is inevitable that we use some symbols and images of God to some extent. We cannot see Him and, as we have just read, if we saw His face we would die. Yet we need to focus on Him, worhsip Him, try to hear Him, learn about Him and so on. So we need symbols and images of Him – He figures in some of the amazing graphics Mike provides for us.
HOWEVER, we need to be aware that they ARE symbols and images, but not the real thing. So long as we keep that clear, they are tools to help us.
… maybe they are crutches … a crutch is a tool to help us.
Andrew
======= Veronica:
Question- If God says make no images. Who do I listen to God or man? See Deut.4:12-19
If we do not know what God looks like how can we justify “pictures” of him. No one has seen God. We do however have descriptions of His glory.
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov. 16:25
Veronica
======== Andrew:
Hi Veronica,
Thanks for your comments. I am trying to understand this.
The column of smoke and fire which accompanied the Israelites – was that God, or an image or symbol of God?
When we break bread and pour wine together in remembrance of Jesus – is that a symbol or image of Him?
When we illustrate our Bibles and our children’s books with pictures of Jesus and the Holy Spirit descending on Him at His baptism – what is that?
When we make a film of “The Passion of the Christ” – what is that?
Jesus has set us free of the law. He has written the law on our hearts. His Spirit lives in us. We are the Body. And you, dear sister, are part of it, as am I. How does that work?
When will we be so much in tune with Him that we can dance on the water?
Blessings,
Andrew
======= Robin:
Psalm 33 verse 11 is strong today – “But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken.”
Was the verse that stood out to me today….it gives me hope and strength to know God is in control and I want to line up with His will, have my prayers be for His purposes and just keep “on track and on task” for God. Idols?…all of what Mike listed above. This is my first time doing the One Year Bible….it has really helped to keep my thoughts on God stuff!!
God’s best to everyone.
Robin
======= Anka:
All of Israel didn’t get to hear the Law before they were sentenced to death.But they did see God show Himself superior to the gods of Israel that were man made.They had occasions to see a God that was to be revered as well as feared…they chose a god they could make and control.Also,they chose to follow their ways instead of God’s.They died because they chose their ways instead of waiting to know God’s ways and His Laws.
Moses changed from not wanting to be the one who brought Israel out of Egypt(trying to pass on the responsibility to Aaron) to being ready to lay down his life for them.What happened?Moses got closer to God,became more like Him.There’s a mention of “your book” which is the first time God’s book is mentioned yet Moses knew about it….God offered to make a nation of Moses and blot out Israel…guess many would have jumped at the chance but Moses didn’t.My take on this is that God is a covenant keeping God,this was a discussion between friends,God was rightfully angry,Moses was interceeding for Israel because he knew it was what God expected of him.
It is wonderful here to see how getting closer to God makes us take on more of His character.
Peter was a brave,impulsive man.He loved Jesus enough to think that he could take up a sword in His defence while Jesus was arrested.He wanted to know what happened to Jesus so he followed to see what was going on.Many times we speak of Peter’s denial without seeing that it was his love for Jesus that put him in the spot light.Jesus was now condemned as a criminal,His disciples were used to a Rabbi who fed thousands,healed the sick,raised the dead,taught with authority even walked on water…now they saw Him humiliated,condemned as a criminal.There are so many christians today who follow Christ because they believe life with Christ means all round victory on earth:no more disease,no more poverty,no more suffering,etc…so trials come they let go of Jesus.Peter even began to curse and swear when told he spoke like a follower…how many of us try to avoid being too churchy…But Peter repented,yes he was human,had fear and faults,failed the test….Yet,he repented and was retored…………
mark16:6And he said to them, “(G)Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the (H)Nazarene, who has been crucified (I)He has risen; He is not here; behold, here is the place where they laid Him.
7″But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘(J)He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see Him, just as He told you.’”
This is such a beautiful picture of forgiveness,Peter is mentioned separately so he would know he still is a disciple.
We maybe struggling with our sinful nature,trying to let go of our gods,but Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith….If we follow Him,He will never let us go.
God bless you all
Anka
====== Penny:
Anka, I like your perspective on Moses and his growing and changing relationship with God. I think it’s a bit more accurate than the message I got from my reading in “The Message” this morning.
Chapter 32 reads: 9-10 God said to Moses, “I look at this people—oh! what a stubborn, hard-headed people! Let me alone now, give my anger free reign to burst into flames and incinerate them. But I’ll make a great nation out of you.”
11-13 Moses tried to calm his God down. He said, “Why, God, would you lose your temper with your people?”
What troubles me about this paraphrase is the phrase “Moses tried to calm his God down.” This makes it sound like God was out of control and Moses was in control of “his God”. Moses was speaking to the Awesome, Most High, Majestic and Mighty, Gracious and Merciful, Just and Loving, Creator of the Universe. I hardly think his attitude was one of “calming God down”. I think Moses was becoming more like God as he spent more time with Him. I think even in the midst of his anger and annoyance with the people, Moses had mercy and was willing to sacrifice his own life for his people. Does that sound a little like Jesus?
Penny
======= Birdie:
I like Anka’s comments, too. I had not thought about Moses drawing closer to God, but of course he would have to be after spending so much time with him. Lent is coming up. Can we draw closer to God in those 40 days?
Birdie
======== Dan:
The Message sort of wanders across that line frequently, going from translation to interpretation.
I thought about the whole spiritually bored thing and I have examined the last few years of my life as of late. My spiritual life has exploded all over the place, even to the point of coming on staff with a missionary organization, focusing on youth.
And what keeps me there is a mission mindedness. What holds me close to listen for God’s will in my life is that I am constantly going out for Him and listening for His counsel. And in those times that I am not about to go do something, I find myself completely at ease with playing. I learned how to play from watching small children. The joy is in the fun and the credit goes to God when you have it.
My last thought on today’s readings is on the part where the Levites arm up and obliterate three thousand people. On the one hand, there are roughly a million people out there in the desert, so 3k is not really that much. On the other hand, three thousand people all dying at the hand of one event is pretty rough. What it makes me think of is the times when I have something holding me back from doing the right thing or living in the right way. I have to take a sword and run it through my life and let whatever falls out, fall.
This was apparently the price for the atonement of the people. The whole event where Moses tells them to kill their brothers, their neighbors and friends is echoed millenia later when Christ tells those close to him, “I have not come to bring peace, but the sword,” and He goes on to say that family will no longer be the strongest tie that we can know. There will be a new standard for loyalty within the body of the people of Christ.
Dan
======= Johnnie:
For me, I found Exodus 32:24 comically but very sad. Aaron said — “I threw them (the gold earrings) into the fire — and out came this calf.” Doesn’t that sound like when we sin and try to say — but it wasn’t my fault? We make excuses instead of confessing them. We have to be in touch with our own shortcomings and realize that it is us and us alone who makes the mistake and sins. We cannot blame other people or things.
Johnnie
======= Laverne:
Chapt 32;1 – Unfortunately like many people we know if they do not have something tangible to hold onto the reality of the thing drifts and then the honeymoon period is OVER.
Verse 1 reminds me of some of my friends and myself sometime. When God is silent we panic, we forget everything that we knew before the silence and then we do something absolutely insane. I have learned this past year when God is silent it is b/c He has already given me what I need and now it is up to me to search inside for the answers…Or wait for His wonderful angels who will fill me in on the rest. I also learned to make good desicions during those quiet times because God does NOT waste experiences. You asked what will cure the boredom in our relationship with God I believe was the question; well just like any relationship there are highs and lows. It’s unrealistic to believe that won’t happen with your relationship with God. But remembering….is key….Keeping faith FRESH is faith in and of itself.
Laverne
======= Mae:
Verses that stood out for me today:
Exodus 32:34 ” … My angel will lead the way before you. And when I come to call the people to account, I will certainly hold them responsible for their sins”.
Exodus 33:19 ” … For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose”.
Matthew 26:75 ” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed”.
Psalm 33:9 “For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command”.
Proverbs 8:34 “Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home!”.
Proverbs 8:36 “But those who miss me injure themselves. All who hate me love death”.
I’m really enjoying reading Exodus and Matthew! Those books are so powerful and such eye-openers. I feel so blessed that I get lessons out of those books. When I’m reading I can visualize the situation and I truly feel what God’s message is. And I feel that as such a huge blessing!
I want to share something special with all of you: we went to Amsterdam yesterday, as you all know. Me and my Sister in Christ, Hanneke, went on the streets together. And while we were walking I felt the Holy Spirit working. I felt God’s presence constantly. I felt that He was going to do something so special. I knew someone would get saved that day. We talked to this Jewish girl, Laura, she came so close praying with us yesterday. So close … she wanted to have Jesus as her Saviour, she wants to accept Him. But she didn’t want to pray on the streets, I respected that. I’ll pray for her, I pray for her to find our church and find Jesus. I really thought she would make a decesion. Like I said; I felt God telling me that someone would be saved today. But too bad … it didn’t happen with me and Hanneke. Rene and Jeroen had someone saved, how about that? Just like last time Rene had someone saved! So yesterday evening we went to church and watched “Last flight Out”, after the movie we had our reviews and the Pastor prayed, praised the Lord and called out for people who wanted to have Jesus as his/her personal Saviour. When I heard the Pastor say “I see your hand and I want to ask you to come foreward”. My heart skipped a beat, because Rene was the only one there who hadn’t been saved yet! So Rene stepped to the altar, get down on his knees and prayed and asked for forgiveness. WHAT a moment! It felt like my own rebirth!!! All day long I knew someone would be saved … and it was my own husband!!!!!!!!!! My husband is saved you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Praise the Lord! Thank you Jesus! Hallelujah!!!!
I know some of you have been praying for my husband and I want to thank you for that! Our prayers have been heard!
Mae
========== Mike:
Praise God, Mae!! This is incredible. Thank you so much for sharing this news on the blog here! I look forward to seeing Rene’s comments on our One Year Bible readings soon. : ) God bless you for your passion for the Lord! It is incredible to see your journey unfold. Please keep sharing with us your journey this year. It is an inspiration to many.
Mike
========= Jenny:
I totally agree with what Mike said and spiritual “boredom”…couldnt have said it better. I think we all have these seasons…hopefully they are just seasons. I have seen Christian friends go out and do something completely shocking to me, but I guess they were drifting in their heart, they kind of left the faith…of course I dont know where a couple of them stand today, I pray they are back with the Lord. We all have to watch ourselves because YES we can start thinking that something else ‘rescued us from Egypt” and almost ‘forget’ what the Lord has done in our lives. These are dry spells (reminds me of a great song called Dry by Kutless). But its true…its cause we arent moving forward in our walk. God doesnt move away, WE do. We need to constantly be exercising our spiritual life! My pastor used to say: “Christianity is like a grease pole, if you’re not climbing up, your sliding down!’ We allow things to distract us, we put things in front of our love for the Lord perhaps.
I can relate this to exercise since I’m an exerciser, not too fanatic, but if i go a couple days without it, i feel guilty..but there can be a time where I reach the point of complacency, where i go too long and i get content to not exercise and what happens…I start getting weaker. I start seeing bad fruit (blubber, lol). I’ll confess one thing, its easier to look in the mirror and see my physical flaws then to see the flaws in my heart! But if i pursue exercise everyday, i stay strong, i stay healthy. I dont desire bad food, i desire good things, I do things throughout the day to maintain this, parking far way to make myself walk more, taking the stairs instead. This keeps me strong and I dont have to worry about gaining weight really because my lifestyle keeps me at a healthy metabolism level. I dont really get bored with exercise because i enjoy it and I see good fruit, and its a habit!! Its part of my life now, i hardly think about it, its just natural now. I could say, ‘its not cause of exercise, I’m naturally thin…or i eat good. blah! an excuse, I know exercise is key. Ok, maybe a bad example, haha.
But how much more important our spiritual life!
Spiritual exercise everyday…reading the Word is crucial, prayer is crucial!! maintaining this fights off attacks from the enemy more. We dont desire bad things, but good things, we see fruit and we keep going! We desire other things throughout the day like listening to radio ministries, talking with other believers, listening to praise/worship music. We want it! we desire it! If I start forgetting it is God alone who saves my life, I’m in danger! May God reveal the mirror of my heart, the blubber, so i dont stop or become complacent. does that make sense?
the other day I was listening to To Every Man An Answer on kwave and a young guy called up and ask why God didnt punish Aaron for making the golden calf…i listened closely cause i knew this was coming up in our readings. I guess it doesnt come out and directly say God disciplined Aaron, but his two sons were killed, so we see God did deal with this.
Moses threw the tablets down and broke them…anyone recall the movie the 10 Commandments
where he does this, he raises them up and yells, “those who do not live by the law, shall die by the law!” then he throws them to the ground, smashing them.
I love these verses: “15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” 17 And the LORD said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.””
awesome!
and this verse: Then Moses said, “Now show me your glory”…..hmm, sounds like an awesome song by Third Day! :p
Wow…no one can see His face and live! How awesome He is..too great for us to even behold in our human condition!
Matthew is powerful! from Peter’s denial to Judas betrayal. Both men were remorseful, but in different ways and their responses were drastically different. These are the only responses we have. we can be remorseful because we are truly sorry for our sin, repent and get up and decide to live for Christ. Or we can be remorseful for ourselves, wallow in our pity and not seek restoration, but give in to self and die in our sins. Peter went on and became a very bold man of God…and Judas, sad ending to him. Jesus called Judas friend…He even washed his feet the night before…what a betrayal Jesus endured.
I love that verse in Psalm too, and I so agree! We need to align our wills to His! not vice vs. haha, i’m sure i’m not alone in trying to ask God to abide by MY will. I never win in that! I have to be aligned with His will…i cant even see blessing and real fruit til I trust Him and conform to His will. Thank God for His perfect ways! sometimes, ok, many times, ok..most of the time I think I know whats best for me, haha. I’m always wrong! I dont even come close! He has something MUCH bigger and better for us anyway!
Love Proverbs too: v.35 “For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the LORD”. what an awesome promise to cling to!!
Jenny
======== Gina:
Ok – maybe someone can help me out…in Ex 32:11 it says that the Lord spoke with Moses face to face like a man speaks with his friend…….then in verse 20 God says “you cannot see my face” and in verse 23 God says “…but my face must not be seen” – So did Moses see God’s face or not????
About spiritual boredom, I do get bored in my faith sometimes. But it’s usually because I have stepped in the way. When I start to rely on myself instead of God, I get mentally worn out. I have found that when I feel this way, if I pray honestly to God, admitting to Him how I feel (since He knows anyway), I slowly start to work my way back to Him.
I believe my “golden calf” is shopping. I am a shopaholic! That may seem funny to some of you, but it has caused lots of grief in my life…but I believe God has brought me to a place of freedom from that addiction, especially lately and I know complete victory is not far away! :0)
Passion plays…we have this really awesome thing that a small church in my area puts on each year. They have a big wooded area behind the church and they do a live walk-thru of the life of Jesus. It’s like a play but it’s outside in the woods and you walk from one scene to the next. Then when “Jesus” is carrying the cross, you walk with him. The ressurection scene is then inside the church. My explanation of it does it no justice! It’s really powerful!
I love Proverbs 8:35 – For whoever find me finds life and receives favor from the Lord!
Gina
======== Bill:
Hi Gina. The Scripture does not say that Moses “saw” God’s face but only that God “spake” to Moses face to face ( Exodus 33:11 ). In answer to your question, I don’t believe that Moses saw God’s face but He did hear God’s voice audibly and so clearly that it was as if God had been standing right in front of Him. The Scripture says that the Lord talked with Moses through the cloudy pillar at the door of the Tabernacle ( Exodus 33:9 ). Apparently only Moses was privileged to be allowed to approach that close to God because the rest of the people observed the cloudy pillar and worshipped from a distance in front of their tents ( Exodus 33:10 ). Though the Bible doesn’t say so it may be that Moses did see a form of a man, perhaps even Jesus Christ in pre-incarnate form, in the the cloudy pillar but if so God’s face was obscured by the cloud. Twice in the New Testament we are told ” No man hath seen God at any time ” ( John 1:18; 1 John 4:12 ) except in the person of Jesus Christ ( Hebrews 1:1-3 ). I hope this helps. Blessings to you.
” No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.”
– John 1:18 ( KJV )
Bill
========= Bill:
QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:
“ The Golden Calf readings… Are we so different from the Israelites? Do we make our own versions of “golden calves” today? Do we have idols that we worship? Money? Career? Popularity? Relationships? Addictions? Our Intelligence? Technology? Do these idols stand in the way of our worship of God? Do they stand in the way of our relationship with God? Do these idols defile us?…”
No, we are no different. The answer to the rest of the questions is yes. An idol can be anything that we might put before God in our lives. Out of all the idols named here, for me it would likely be “relationships,” in other words, being so in love with a woman that it borders on worship and where she captivates me to the point where I think of nothing but her. I know because I have experienced that and there is no other feeling that can be compared to it except being filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. I want to be that passionate about God and that is how God wants us to be in our love for Him. Anything less than that is lukewarm. Idols compete with God for our affections and it could become a snare to us.
EXODUS 32:1-33:23
I can’t say that I have ever been “bored “ with being a Christian. There is nothing I would rather be doing than living for the Lord. Before I became a Christian I experienced much of what this world has to offer for excitement and nothing compares to what I have with Jesus Christ. I will admit that there have been periods when I was carnal, worldly and lukewarm but eventually I grew bored and disillusioned with those things and returned to the Lord. What I see as Israel’s problem in this passage was not “boredom” but impatience. They did not yet have the faith to wait on the Lord for direction and guidence but decided to try and do things their own way. There was also still a lot of Egypt yet in their hearts.
Moses is a type of Jesus Christ in this passage in that it says that he “…DELAYETH to come down out of the mount “ ( 32:1 ) and so the people became tired of waiting for him and “…the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play “ ( 32:6 ). Jesus in a parable also said there would be some of His servants who would say in their hearts “…My lord DELAYETH his coming; …” and that they would “…eat and drink, and be drunken “ ( Luke 12:45 ) as well and that His coming would catch them by surprise and unprepared.
In making the golden calf ( 32:4 ) they had already broken the first and the second commandments ( Exodus 20:3-5 ) of the Ten Commandments given by God to Moses and perhaps several of the others too before he even had descended from the mount. There was also sinful music and dancing in the camp ( 32:18-19 ). They were not making a joyful noise to the Lord as Israel was later exhorted to do in the Psalms of David; it was as Joshua said as the noise of war which pagans make. The dancing was quite different from the previous manner of Miriam and the women of Israel before the Lord ( Exodus 15:20-21 ).
Moses is an example of how the intercessory prayer of one righteous man can make a difference and sometimes even move God to spare a nation from judgment ( 32:11-14 ). Again, as the Scripture says, “…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much “ – James 5:16 ( KJV )
The passage of Moses in the cleft of the rock as the the Lord passed by him ( 33:21-23 ) inspired the old hymn ‘ He Hideth My Soul ‘ which was written by Fanny Crosby that I have sung in church on many Sundays:
HE HIDETH MY SOUL
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
A wonderful Savior to me;
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
Where rivers of pleasure I see.
Refrain:
He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,
That shadows a dry, thirsty land;
He hideth my life in the depths of His love,
And covers me there with His hand,
And covers me there with His hand.
A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,
He taketh my burden away,
He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,
He giveth me strength as my day.
With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,
And filled with His fullness divine,
I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God!
For such a Redeemer as mine.
When clothed with His brightness transported I rise
To meet Him in clouds of the sky,
His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,
I’ll shout with the millions on high.
MATTHEW 26:69-27:14
The betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot for thirty pieces of silver and the buying of the potter’s field ( 26:14-16; 27:3-10 ) was foretold by the prophet Zechariah:
“ And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD.”
– Zechariah 11:12-13 ( KJV ).
In the King James Version it says that it was spoken by the prophet Jeremy, or Jeremiah ( 27: 9 ). Many skeptics and critics will point to this as a Bible contradiction. I must admit that I am also perplexed about it but I am not ready to concede that the Bible has errors. I am pointing it out so we won’t be caught off guard if unbelievers confront us with it. Whenever unbelievers have brought up alleged discrepancies to me in the past I have always found that there is a reasonable explanation for it. The best explanation that I have read of so far is that the Book of Jeremiah and the Book of Zechariah were recorded on the same scroll but that the Jews viewed it as one book. The alleged discrepancy doesn’t change the fact that the betrayal of Jesus was foretold in the Old Testament.
When Jesus stood silent before Pontius Pilate and his accusers ( 27:11-14 ). He fulfilled another Old Testament messianic prophecy:
“ He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.”
– Isaiah 53:7 ( KJV )
PSALM 33:1-11
In this passage we see that music is a form of worship ( vv.2-3 ). Praise and worship music is what God likes to hear and that was why God created music to begin with. As we saw in Exodus 32:18 there is sinful, pagan music too which angered not only God but Moses as well… However, “loud “ music ( v.3 ) is okay : )
PROVERBS 8:33-36
Here the importance of daily watching and waiting for God to reveal His Word to us is stressed ( v.33-34 ). This what the children of Israel had failed to do when they grew impatient because Moses did not come down from the mount after a number of days and so hastily made the golden calf that they might look to it as their god.
Bill
======= Elizabeth:
Hello Everyone,
Bill–thanks for taking time to share your thoughts…I particularly enjoyed your comments on idols and reading through the beautiful words of that old hymn.
Interesting comment about relationships becoming an idol–especially “falling in love.” As a teen, I think that I was prone to this kind of idol worship–seeking “the man” who would make everything else right in my world. As a teacher, I’ve seen people make idols of their children too which ain’t pretty on either side of the matter.
I’ve fashioned idols out of many things in my life–food, safety, control, perfectionism, relationships, knowledge. Nothing will ever satisfy our hunger except Him.
On a completely different note, I noticed today that in Exodus, the commandments were written on BOTH sides of the stone tablets.
“Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written.” -Exodus 32:15
I never caught that before–don’t think it has any “deep theological significance”!! except it does point out that I have many preconceptions about the Word. I need to come to these readings with fresh eyes and an alert heart, so that I don’t “read things” into the text (or “out of” the text for that matter!):
I also found the dialogue between Moses and Aaron fascinating. Aaron kind of backtracks to blame the people. He claims that he just threw their gold into the fire and out popped a calf:
“So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.” Exodus 32:24
…kind of reminds me conversations I’ve had with my kids when they get into trouble ; )
It also points to the responsibility that leaders have to encourage and direct people in righteous ways. Aaron had an opportunity to exhort the people to wait on Moses & the Lord, but he blew it:
“And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.”-Exodus 32:21-22
Yes, people are prone to evil, particularly when they lack godly leadership (Jesus clearly saw this when he commented that the people are “like a sheep without a shepherd”). But, that doesn’t negate the responsibility that leaders have to step up to the plate in word and example.
Leadership is tough stuff and I’ll admit that a piece of me cringes when I read that NT passage about leaders being MORE accountable. Leading people isn’t typically much fun, but boy is it important kingdom work!
One more comment, then I’m off. I love this passage from today’s psalm:
“The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.” -Psalm 33:5
The Lord is gracious and merciful to ALL–evidence of His love is all around us IF we take the time to see His hand. Sometimes it shouts, sometimes it whispers: Lord, give us eyes to see it today,
Elizabeth
======= Arielle:
I think what we can get from the story of the Israelites is that no matter how many miracles GOD has done in our life’s or how much we have grown knowing GOD. There still a need for each of us human beings to keep our communication consistent with GOD.
CHRIST says in Mathew 26:41 “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Arielle
======= Frederick:
An intimate relationship with God
I read it some years ago about Exodus 33:12-21 from a Christian book. In these verses, Moses were expressing his spiritual intimate ‘desire’ to see God’s glory. God was responding to Moses and showed to Moses his back for no one could see God’s face to face and remain alive. Looking at this orientation, you would have an idea how intimate the relationship between God and Moses after 40 days and nights in Mount Sinai.
Frederick
======= Luch:
i like being on vacation in venice, florida and being able to plug along with oyb.
today’s readings in ex 32-33 are encouraging and sobering. I want to pursue the face of God but I also want to avoid anything that evokes the wrath of God.
Luch
====== Janice:
The on-line Bible Study is what keeps me from getting spiritually bored and helps me mature on my faith journey. I was also wondering — what was Aaron thinking?
Janice
======== Birdie:
I agree with Janice. The on-line Bible study keeps me alive and un-bored, too. Also Janice and I write comments to each other aboout the scriptures for the day.
Birdie
========= John:
Janice
“..–what was Aaron thinking?”
I have often thought that about the whole Exodus in general.
I mean come on, the Hebrews had seen the Red Sea parted, Moses was up talking to God, later on God would be with them – leading them day aand night (By cloud and fire), and they still desire to and do disobey?
I would like to say – not me! I would not have done that, but the truth is signs and wonders never change anybody. What changes us is our relationship (belief) in God – and God institutes that change.
On our walk (Exodus) sometimes we are tempted off the path, sometimes we stumble, and sometimes we willingly run off the Christian path. We are children of God – the Greek tells us that it is pre-toddler to toddler type of child. God knows this, and He will bring us back to the path (as he does Aaron many times) through love or through chastisement. It is always easier when we recognize where we are (off the path)and confess and come back to the Father:)
John
======= Rita:
i can relate with our devotion for today.. i am in a point of boredom with my relationship to God.. it’s the season where i don’t have that great desire to grow in my journey with Him.. i vistd my Alma Mater yesterday, received some criticisms bout my work since i’m a missionary nurse and not working in a hospital yet.. at that point, i really felt down,yet i believe in my heart that this is where the Lord wants me to be. today’s scripture reading has helped me get back to the eternal significance of what i’m doing. Indeed, the Lord never fails to comfort and motivate me to serve Him with all i am. the Lord is faithful! May my life bring Glory to my King all the days of my life!
i battle boredom with singing praises, reflecting and claiming God’s promises in my life, saying aloud different names of my Lord (Immanuel, Prince of Peace) and claiming that He really is that in my life,. i do personal spiritual retreat, going to places i’ve never been before, be silent before the Lord and just listen to what He wants me to do.
Godbless
Rita
======== Jan:
Judas was just messed up. He wasn’t listening to Jesus — all he wanted was a king on earth and he saw Jesus failing to meet his needs. Still, Jesus loved Judas. All Judas needed to do was go to Jesus and tell him he had sinned, but he took the cowards way out.
As far as Moses and Aaron — they were flawed and so are we. Thank you, God, for your mercy.
Jan
======== Elaine:
Spiritually bored?
Try reaching a higher level with the Lord(ex. fast for a week with prayer or spend more time praising Him or try to memorize a long passage of scripture). Or try accomplishing something out of your comfort zone for His Kingdom(ex. volunteer to serve at a food bank or hospital or pray outside your local abortion clinic or witness to your neighbors) Choose an area that you’ve always kind of wanted to work on, but were hesitant to tackle or afraid of.
GUARANTEED you will be learning new skills, having new challenges, and meeting new people….as well as meeting with resistance from the enemy forces that don’t want you to grow in your faith and efforts for the Lord.
And VOILA! NO MORE BOREDOM!
Keep growing in the Lord!
Elaine
========= Steve:
Exodus 32:1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.”
Today’s readings brought up many thoughts regarding why Aaron would have made the calf? Mike brings up a really interesting point about spiritual boredom being partially responsible and Ramona added wonderful insight regarding the possibility that Aaron could have been missing the limelight of leadership played during the coming out of Egypt. I was thinking it might be also related to forgetting about the goodness of God and His mercy. It is His mercy that leads to repentance. An interesting point Brian bought up is the similarities in Exodus and Matthew of today’s readings regarding betrayal. Jesus is betrayed by Peter and Judas and God the Father is betrayed by His people the Israelites. All of us like Peter tend to think we would never betray the Master but our God has given us the free will to move in any direction we wish, this being both a blessing and a curse.
The reason I participate in the readings and force myself to comment is because I know it engages me, keeping me in His word and focused on His message. Ramona, I never would have made the connection of the definition of boredom having the attribute of laziness but as I think about it, it really makes sense.
Steve
======= Jeff:
I researched and found the following interesting information on “stiff-necked” people:
The term originated in ancient Israel. The farmers would plow their fields by using oxen. If the ox didn’t want to follow the guidance of the farmer it would stiffen the muscles in its neck. This would make it impossible to guide the ox where it needed to go.
When one is described as “stiff-necked” in the scriptures it means that they refuse to follow the guidance of the Lord.
Jeff
======= Bob:
SAW – one word explains a lot in that first line of Exodus 32:1. How often we need to see our gods because we are such visual beings. It doesn’t take long either, 6 weeks. How often is our faith tested like with boredom. I can fall into this groove very easily and call it all sorts of things like melancholy or depression or unsureness. In that state of mind it is easy to look to Aaron in our life. A team player but not a leader. It would be easy to be swayed by popularity and a false sense of the world view. When we gravitate towards these people its a sure sign to beware when we listen to the lies, “I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf” Woah! God must of loved that line! Lots of those guys on TV. (LOL) Where does my help come from? Personally, I pray for the Holy Spirit to interceed in my state of mind and show me truth and under His influence I am shown the goodness of God. Joy comes from the fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22)
Bob
======= George:
Before my head hits the pillow every night, I kneel by my bed and thank God for the day and all the blessings that are seen and not seen (plus the ones I take for granted). I have a permanent list of people I pray for every night, for those who don’t know Him, for those who do and have gotten bored with their faith and for those who are carrying the torch and loving Him supremely. (Matthew 6:33)
It’s a habit and I feel like something is not right if I don’t hit my knees every night.
George
======== Gail:
I guess I’m not as spiritual as “Ramona”. I can’t read into God’s Word the things she sees. I did NOT get that Aaron was trying to “extend his run” – and do not see the verses to support that idea. I never got the impression that Aaron wanted to be “THE” one and be glorified in any kind of attention he may have gotten (and again, I don’t see the scripture to support he got the attention).
Haven’t we all at some time or another lied when we got caught. I didn’t see this as a “little” lie – it was a WHOPPER!! I know in my life I’ve told some unbelievable lies to try to get out of trouble.
I also do not see boredom as the issue. It was sin – plain and simple. The Israelites sinned by turning away from God. Their hearts were not right otherwise they would have never considered making the images. But you have to remember, they just came out of Egypt where images were used as the Egyptian gods. I believe we have to be careful living in our “Egypt” so we don’t get caught up in the world. I have a problem, as a music major and a Christian, with the Contemporary “worship” music. It’s beat is too much like the world’s music. We are to be set apart. I feel this is a way that the church today compromises, just as Aaron compromised, to be “like” the world but not really…just close enough so we don’t stand out as being ‘set apart’. I believe that if our hearts were really tuned into God so that we can fellowship with Him as Moses did, we would be so far away from things of the world there would be no DOUBT where we stand. But instead, we want to attract the world by being “like” the world. Jesus never became worldly to attract followers. Yes, he did go into the world just as we do, but there needs to be a definite distinction. Almost all of my piano students’ parents at one time or another have commented – “Oh, we know you are a Christian” or “Do you remember Miz Gail…she’s always wore dresses”. I don’t preach to them, I don’t belittle them – I live a life set apart – and they notice that I am different. I hope one day they will ask, or I will get the opportunity (as I did with my husband) to explain my difference.
Gail
========= Carol:
Intercessory prayer can sometimes feel so tedious, even hopeless, when one doesn’t see a change but from today’s reading I can see how important it is and I’m also seeing God in a different way, more personally…more real. Anyway, I can see the importance of pleading for others, no matter how I feel or see. God is listening!
I also see today about the importance of self restraint, so as not to show God in a bad light, before His/our enemies.
We tend to make “light” of sin, forgetting how God feels about it, which is to Him who can be an all consuming fire, an abomination (he hates it with a passion). Thank goodness He is also a God of compassion, of mercy… is longsuffering and patient.
I am struck today by how similar we are today to people way back then, turning away from God so easily. I want to be a Moses! I want to be a Joshua!! I want to stay focused on God and His loyal servant and friend … forever!!
Carol
======= Alan:
Anyone who likes Passion Plays or might like to see one in the US might go to Eureka Springs Arkansas. They have an annual one in an outdoor amphitheater. Many people take part and it is really very well done. They have many other re-inactments and people portraying various characters in the Bible. Also a replica of the tabernacle as well as a Bible Museum all in a small town venue in the Summertime. The wife and I bought an all inclusive package that came with tickets, motel stay, dinner theatre, Passion Play tickets and it all was very reasonable. Not a tourist trap. Would recommend it to anyone. Also handicap accessable including golf cart transportation between re-inactment stations to help ,ore people witness the events
Alan
======= Scott:
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about spiritual boredom… Following Jesus should be most adventurous, challenging and even adrenaline filled parts of our lives. I totally agree that daily bible reading and prayer helps keep us focused on His Kingdom, but also daily sharing our faith is a sure cure for spiritual boredom. I feel like an undercover agent for his Kingdom, like a Jason Bourne for God, but rather than an assassin I’m on mission to help transform peoples lives for God!
Thanks so much for your daily blogs, they really do help as I’m reading the bible through!!
Scott
========= Linda:
I did not think of boredom today but instead thought about impatience in verse 1: When the people saw how long it was taking….” I think of how my own impatience gives way to sin. I was thankful for how God heard Moses prayers. 33:14 “The LORD replied, “I will personally go with you Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” I agree with your analogy between Moses and Jesus being our high priest. Finally, I love Psalm 33:2 Praise the LORD with melodies and (v 3) “Sing a new song of praise to him…” hymns are one way we can stay focused on God. The whole psalm is a reminder of God’s love and faithfulness. God Bless.
Linda
======= Mitch:
OT – Always amazed at symmetrical aspects of the Bible. When the Law (tablets) came down about 3,000 died. When the Holy Spirit comes down (in Acts) about 3,000 received eternal life. FWIW Aaron acted like a little kid with hands in cookie jar- mom, really the cookies just leaped into my hand!
When we don’t hear from God for a while, do we fill the void with our idols. When idols are on the throne of our heart (mind, soul, spirit, will, desires) there is no room for Jesus. These people (and really all of us) will worship something – the question is what? Money, Sex, Power, Self?????
NT – Judas sold Jesus for the price of a slave (Exodus 21) – 30 pieces of silver. Showed remorse but no repentance.
Jesus did not answer charges (sheep going to slaughter are eerily silent). However, Jesus always answered when asked who HE was. The most penetrating question in Bible – “Who do you say I am?”
Mitch
======= Dee:
It is sad to be a follower instead of a real leader. Aaron was just that. A good follower whether towards good gain or ungodly misfortune. It wasn’t enough to be Moses messenger to Pharoah or be a part of the wonderful miracles of the parting of the Red sea, and the wrath of God and the judgement on the Egyptians for their unbelief, Aaron now had an inch at authority and he took a mile. Maybe being a people pleaser was the problem of Aaron or maybe he was just as bored and baffled as the rest. The blind leading the blind, it saddens me to see a situation unfold like this in the Bible, yet like Mike says, do we see ourselves in this picture, just going along to get along, forgetting about the consequences and then trying to cover up with, “the woman you gave me made me do it” or “those Israelites just wanted to see a live god and it just happened, jewelry in my hand, into the fire and voila! a golden calf?? Whatever!! We are all responsible for our actions and the steps we take in this life. Just like in Ex 32 verses “32But now, if you will only forgive their sin–but if not, erase my name from the record you have written!” Wow, Moses was wanting to take the place for those ruthless people? However God had a different plan, 33But the Lord replied to Moses, “No, I will erase the name of everyone who has sinned against me.” Just goes to show that we cant be punished for others sin, just like we can’t take away others sins either. They must worship.,believe, repent, love the One true God, and then through Jesus and the shed blood to take away our sins, then we shall be forgiven! Praise God!!
Dee
