Scripture text for Tuesday, February 2, 2010: Exodus 32:1-34:35
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In this passage, we find Moses had been on the mountain a long time—so long, in fact, the people down below started complaining. They were disgruntled, and applying pressure to Aaron to build them gods who would go before them.
Aaron quickly gave in to their demands by instructing them to give him all their gold so he could cast it into a calf. He not only built a false god, he built an alter in front of the golden calf, AND he declared a festival the next day!
How could Aaron be so easily led away from God—from what he knew was “right”?
Well, it’s easy to get drawn into sin—and not even realize it at times. But once the sinful behavior is given-in to and we‘re caught in its web of deceit, we continue to participate (much like Aaron did)—getting deeper embroiled. Even conscious of our sinful behavior, it’s hard to escape its allure.
The people-and Aaron-were “quick to turn away” from the God who delivered
them out of slavery. However, before we get too judgmental, how easily and “quickly” do we “turn away” from God, and turn to our own idols of self, lust, greed, status, etc.? What was God’s reaction to those “stiff-necked people”? Verse 10 tells us, “Now leave Me alone so that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them”.
WOW! God does not like disobedience—then or now!
This story is not all bad news though—there’s also good news here! Moses “stood in the gap” for the rebellious Israelites—reminding the Lord of His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Israel to “make Your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky…”. The Lord then relented on His pledge to “destroy them”.
We, too, have someone “standing in the gap” for us when we sin—it’s Christ—reminding God that He (Christ) took our sins upon Himself so we could be
presentable to Him, our Heavenly Father.
Another message in this passage was Moses asking for God’s favor before he even asked anything of the Lord. On several occasions, before Moses would even request anything of the Lord in prayer, he would say, “if You are pleased with me, then…”.
I’m so thankful God has revealed this truth to me—seeking His favor before I even begin to ask anything of Him. I always ask for forgiveness, but “seeking his favor” first, instills a whole new posture of humility into my soul—for which I will always be thankful.
Devotion prepared by Melissa Guipe