Did you find yourself wondering what in the world possessed those people into making a golden calf in the first place? Were they that impatient in waiting for Moses? Or maybe Satan was that crafty in arousing doubt, eliciting power, or bringing comfort? You know, people will do pretty much anything to avoid pain and receive pleasure.
God knew what they were doing. He was raging. They had been rebellious from day one. Like bratty children almost, they never seemed to be satisfied. As they are preparing to enter the land God promised, Moses wanted the people to remember God’s anger. Moses wanted the people to remember how close they were to being destroyed. Moses wanted to remind them how angry he himself had been, and to picture the tablets from God being smashed to smithereens. Moses couldn’t comprehend how quickly they had turned on God. They knew how God wanted them to live, but they ignored that and did their own thing.
We can probably identify with that behavior. How often do we want to go off and do our own thing? We get an idea for something we want to do, and we do it without giving it much thought. Now there are people who never make a decision, they think it through for decades without taking action, want to make sure their ducks are in a row or that everything is just perfect. These are two extremes. Instead of being like the Israelites and totally dishonoring God, we should want to be sure that God will be pleased with our decisions.
I was pretty impressed with Moses’ devotion to both God and the people he had helped rescue. He reminds us that he went without food for those 40 days on the mountain. Climbing the mountain alone would have been a treacherous, and physically demanding feat in itself. And then to turn down God’s offer of becoming a mighty nation himself. Many men would have jumped at the chance for such a blessing from God. Moses was true to his people.
What do you take from the reading today? We’ve probably all known people who like to complain. Some even seem to take pleasure in complaining. What good does it do? There is a time and a place for discernment, for seeking to understand a situation, and expressing legitimate concerns for a way something could be improved. Certainly, if God says to do something, we should do it. But we should take care in what we say and do. We can ask, “Is it helpful?”
Finally, we see weakness in the people, but integrity in God. He chose to keep his word. It is by God’s example we learn how to graciously treat others who offend us. God was angry enough at Israel to destroy them. But, He didn’t because of His covenant integrity and love. “Integrity is doing the right thing, even if nobody is watching.” —Jim Stovall
Let’s pray… Lord, I pray that you will forgive me for those times when I blunder forward without you. Forgive me when I treat others poorly because I’m too focused on myself. Help me to be more in tune to you and your leading. Cleanse my heart so that I can be a better person. Equip me to lead your people. Thank you that you have loved me and been a constant in my life. Thank you for each gift you have given. May I use them well. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
