Have you ever wondered why we, by our sin nature, are prone to idolatry? Even among God’s people, we are constantly drawn away by the world with things that appeal to our flesh. We can learn much from our observance of the Israelites’ behaviors while Moses was meeting with God.
1. Sin meets an immediate desire.
Ex. 32:1-6 “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;”
2. It raises doubt about our spiritual leaders.
“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.”
3. It always costs us more than we realize.
“And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand,”
4. It appeals to our senses instead of our faith.
“and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf:”
5. It eventually replaces God’s rightful place in our hearts.
“and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it;”
6. Satan will provide false teachers to enable it.
“and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.”
7. It leads to all forms of carnality and immortality.
“And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
V25 “And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
LESSON - ANYTHING that maintains priority above the things of the Lord will eventually become an idol in your heart! Examine what holds priority with your time and resources. How much of it is put to God’s use or is most it dedicated for entertainment, amusement, or self-gratification? Ask yourself the same question Moses asked the people in v26 “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the LORD's side?” Now consider not what is, but what should be and you’ll find your course to repentance. If you choose not to take it, you WILL eventually find yourself doing things you would never have conceived possible.
~Mike
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