Scripture
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. Exodus 32:1
Observation
As they came to the base of Mount Sinai, the Children of Israel made camp while Moses went up on the mountain to commune with God on their behalf. It was during this 40 days upon the mountain that God laid out the 10 Commandments, writing them with His own hand upon two tablets of stone. This should have been a great time of victory and rejoicing for the Children of Israel. They had not only been set free but now they were hearing from God directly.
They didn’t react with worshipping the Lord though. They grew impatient and finally decided that Moses must have died. He had been gone too long. They called for Aaron, Moses’ brother and spokesman before Pharaoh, to build them a golden calf.
Application
I have often wondered why this happened so quickly? Isn’t it strange that these people, who were slaves for so long, would want to go back to their slavery and not serve the God of Love, Mercy and Goodness?
We have a picture here of what can happen if we don’t stay true to God. It started almost immediately; the whining, complaining, and grumbling. Israel didn’t really trust God. Then when they had to wait, they soon forgot the miraculous power of God to deliver, to heal, to save and to give them new life. They soon fell back into their desire for the slave pits of Egypt.
I am so often tempted to think; how could they do this? Then I am reminded, how often I do this same thing. It seems everything comes down to trust. When I do not trust God completely, I start to grumble and complain. Then when things really take a turn I don’t like, I am tempted to retreat rather than waiting on God.
Prayer
Lord, I admit I do not always understand why you choose to lead me as you do, but I know you always have my best interest in mind. Please help me to learn to trust you completely.
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1 comment:
In a recent book I was reading the author said the issue was one of interdependence, self dependence or dependence.
He said we were all familiar with selfdependence. That is when I want my own way. he called it childish, for obvious reasons.
Then he went on to talk about interdependence. This issue is not so black and white. He said it was dependence on a group, a team, or a fellowship. The problem he saw was when the group is not connected to God, or when the individuals are not growing but rather shrinking. We have all heard of group think, that is when their is littel orginality except with the leader.
Where the author thought we are the saefest. Where he thought we grew the most was when we are dependent on God
He traced the fall of man to not being dependent on Him but rather leaning to our own understanding. Since God alone has all of the facts we often make decisions to go it alone or to go along with a group rather than walking with God as did Enoch.
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