Saturday, February 11, 2012

Day 42

Today’s Itinerary:   Exodus 32-34

 My Something New: When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. "Come on," they said, "make us some gods who can lead us. We don't know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt." So Aaron said, "Take the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me." All the people took the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf. When the people saw it, they exclaimed, "O Israel, these are the gods who brought you out of the land of Egypt!" Aaron saw how excited the people were, so he built an altar in front of the calf. Then he announced, "Tomorrow will be a festival to the LORD!"  The people got up early the next morning to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. After this, they celebrated with feasting and drinking, and they indulged in pagan revelry.  Exodus 32:1-6

The commentaries say that on the 39th day the people became weary. I often wonder what they had been doing during these thirty-nine days. Camping at the foot of Mount Sinai where the glory of the LORD appeared at the summit like a consuming fire (Exodus 24:17) would they not have been worshipping the one true God who had brought them out of Egypt? They had already experienced countless miracles during their journey and yet in a mere thirty-nine days they had become weary! In their weariness they choose to take matters into their own hands. They choose to take their eyes off God and quickly backslid into their old behavior and way of thinking.  That of idol worship, stubbornness and rebellion which had been born in Egypt during their bondage. Wow! When I broke this down this is what I discovered – ME!

Taking the gold rings from their ears; what had been acquired while in bondage they:
Formed a golden calf of their own making;
Ø  I have formed plans of my own making to follow

Sacrificed burnt offerings and peace offerings;
Ø  I have sacrificed my relationship and fellowship with God

Celebrated and indulged in every pagan revelry
Ø  I have indulged my own desires

 How easy it is to backslide into old behavior, to take something from our past, be it a possession or experience and form a plan that is out of the will of God when our prayers are not answered quickly.

My Something Old: Moses asked the LORD his God to show favor to the people. So the LORD changed His mind about the terrible disaster He had threatened to bring on His people. Exodus 32:14.  The mighty power of prayer; that God allows himself to be prevailed upon by the humble, believing boldness of Moses, an intercessor.

My Something to Do:  Do not become weary in the wait. Weariness causes weakness opening the door to temptation which inevitably lead to sin. Stand firm on God’s promises and His unfailing faithfulness.

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