The Golden Calf

God said,  "You shall have no other gods before me."  Exodus 20:3

The Israelites were at Mt. Sinai.  God had promised to speak to them there.  His presence was accompanied by a thick cloud which covered the mountain, thunder, lightning, fire, smoke, and a very loud trumpet blast.  The whole mountain trembled violently.  What an awesome sight that must have been.

Moses went up on the mountain.  God instructed him to return to the Israelites and say to them,  "Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession."  Exodus 19:5a.  When Moses told the Israelites what God had said,  "The people all responded together,  'We will do everything the Lords has said.'"  Exodus 19:8.

God spoke the Ten Commandments from the mountain to the people.  The first commandment was "You shall have no other gods before me.  You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in the heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them or worship them."  Exodus 20:3-5a.  God reiterated that command in Exodus 20:23, saying,  "Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver of gods of gold."  When Moses told the people all of God's words and laws, they responded with one voice,  "Everything the Lord has said we will do.”  Exodus 24:7.  Apparently they felt certain they would obey God.

But even before Moses came down from the mountain the people went to Aaron and said,  "Come, make us gods who will go before us."  Aaron made an astounding reply.  He told the people to bring him all the gold earrings they had.  When they did, "He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool.  Then they said,  'These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up.'"  Exodus 32:4  To add insult to injury, the next day the Israelites sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings to this golden calf.  They had been so sure they would obey God, but look at them now!

Rather than criticizing Israel for their disobedience, we need to remember all the times we thought we would be obedient and then we yielded to temptation.  The law was given to prove to all people that they were unable to keep it and needed a Savior.

Father, I know how sinful I am, how I have disobeyed You many times.  Thank You for sending Jesus to be our Savior so our sins could be forgiven.  Amen.

The Tabernacle Pointed to Jesus

"They [the earthly priests] serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.  This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: 'See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.'"  Hebrews 8:5

Just as the earthly tabernacle was a shadow of the heavenly one, there are many aspects of the tabernacle that foreshadowed Jesus' coming and His ministry on earth.  Let me suggest a few of these details that point us to Jesus.

There is only one door to the tabernacle, and it represents Jesus, who is "the Way" to God.  In John 10:19 we read Jesus' words,  "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved."

The acacia wood from which the panels and pieces of furniture were made was overlaid with gold.  There were two materials joined together in one board, just as humanity and deity were joined together in one Man, Jesus Christ.

The colors of the curtains pointed to Jesus.  The blue represented His heavenly origin, the red the blood He shed on the cross for us, and the purple His royalty as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

The veil between the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies was a symbol of Jesus' body, which was torn to give us free access into the presence of God.

On the table were twelve loaves of bread, reminding us of Jesus' words that He is the Bread of life, both our Provider and our Provision.

The only source of light in the tabernacle was the candlestick.  Jesus is the Light of the World. The oil in the lamp stand  represents the Holy Spirit.   As the candlestick received all its light from oil rather than from nature, the church is to shed forth the light of revelation from God's word, not from man's reason.

The tabernacle was built to be easily moved.  It was quite portable because the Israelites were wanderers in the wilderness.  They had not yet arrived at their homeland.  We also are wanderers in this world, because heaven is our permanent home.  Just as the Israelites  moved whenever and wherever God led them, we should also follow His leading wherever He would have us go.

   

Lord Jesus, thank You for coming to earth to show us God in flesh and for dying for us so we can have a heavenly home with You and the Father and the Spirit forever.  Amen.

The Tabernacle

"So all the work on the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, was completed.  The Israelites did everything just as the Lord commanded Moses."  Exodus 39:32

One reason God met with Moses on Mt. Sinai was to give him the Ten Commandments and other laws and instructions for the Israelites.  A second reason for this meeting was for God to give Moses the instructions for building a tabernacle where God would dwell with His people.  If Moses had come down with only the Ten Commandments and other laws, the situation for the human race would have been hopeless, because no one has ever been able to keep the Ten Commandments, much less all of God's laws.  But the tabernacle gave men a way to be forgiven for their sins and a way to be able to approach God.  God was very specific in all the details which stipulated how He was to be worshiped.  Not only was worshiping God important, but obedience to God's instructions was important as well.

The beginning phrase of building the tabernacle was to collect the materials for it.  In Exodus 25:1-2 we see this invitation,  "The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering.  You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.'"  Remember, God loves a cheerful giver.  The people responded by bringing all sorts of fine materials--gold, silver, bronze, fine linen, oil, spices, precious stones, and acacia wood.  The reason these former slaves had such wealth in the wilderness is because God caused the Egyptians to give His people the things that would be needed to build the tabernacle as they left Egypt.  God had prepared ahead for His earthly dwelling place.

The Israelites gave so willingly and lavishly that Moses had to tell them to stop, that they had all the material they needed.  If anyone had been slow to respond, he might well have missed his opportunity to contribute, to have the blessing of having his offering be part of the tabernacle.

Our giving reflects how we feel about God.  Our gifts should be given willingly, lavishly, in a timely manner, with love and gratitude, from the very best we have to offer.

Father, may we give to You generously, gratefully, joyfully. Amen.

God Gave the Ten Commandments

"And God spoke all these words."  Exodus 20:1

The Israelites had been in the wilderness for three months when God led them to Mt. Sinai.  God told Moses to instruct the people to consecrate themselves for two days in preparation to hear Him speak.  This emphasized the importance of what was about to take place.  The people were also told not to come too close to the mountain lest they die.  God is a holy God, and the proper way to approach Him is with reverence and awe.  Too often people are flippant and irreverent about God.  In an attempt to make God seem more relevant, we have called Him "the Man Upstairs" and other such frivolous names, and today many people use His name as an exclamation when something unusual happens.  Charles Swindoll wrote,  "The heaviest obligation upon the Christian church is to purify and elevate her concept of God until it is once more worthy of Him."

Notice: God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments, not the Ten Suggestions.  These instructions are absolutes.  They are not conditional.

The giving of the Ten Commandments served several valuable purposes.  It affirmed Moses' leadership to the people.  It revealed God's power and holiness.  It gave regulations about interpersonal relationships.  Obedience to these laws helps maintain the stability of community life.  F. B. Huey, Jr. wrote,  "Because they [the laws] deal with the most basic moral principles that govern human relationships, they are universal in scope and applicable to all peoples of all ages and of whatever cultural background.  No individual or society is better off by ignoring them."  They have been guidelines for good behavior and individual well-being throughout the ages.  They spell out  behavior and attitudes that are sinful.  They show us what God expects of us.

In a discussion of spiritual matters, have you ever heard anyone tell you that they "just try to keep the Ten Commandments," implying that this is sufficient for salvation?  The most important reason for the Ten Commandments is to show us that nobody can keep them.  The Bible tells us that we are all sinners and there is no one who is righteous.  Our breaches of the commandments  show us just how true this is and how much we need a Savior.  They lead us to Jesus.

Father, we have all sinned by doing things You have told us not to do.  Thank You for sending Jesus so we could be forgiven and become Your children forever.  Amen.

Complainers

"Do everything without complaining or arguing."  Philippians 2:14

The Israelites were a whining, complaining, murmuring bunch of people.  God had sent ten miraculous plagues to convince Pharaoh to allow them to leave Egypt.  He had rescued them from Pharaoh's army, which pursued them.  He had made a path through the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to walk across on dry land.  Then He had drowned the entire Egyptian army, mightily rescuing His people from their enemies.

The Israelites traveled for three days into the desert without finding water until they came to Marah.  The water at Marah was too bitter to drink, and the people grumbled to Moses because they were thirsty.  God showed Moses a piece of wood which he threw into the water, and the water became sweet.

After the Israelites had been in the desert for a month and a half, they grumbled against Moses and Aaron because they were hungry.  Then God gave them manna to eat the entire time they were in the wilderness.  By and by the Israelites grew tired of eating manna everyday, and they complained about that.  Charles Swindoll wrote,  " Mrs. Moses' cookbook surely had a special section on 'A Thousand and One Ways to Fix Manna.'  Unless I miss my guess, she had tried them all.....99 times.  What potatoes are to Idaho, pineapples are to Hawaii, wheat to Kansas, and crab gumbo to New Orleans, manna was to the wandering Hebrews for forty weary years.  They boiled it, baked it, broiled it, barbequed it, breaded, and buttered it.  They ate it cold, hot, raw, cooked, sliced for sandwiches, baked in pies, and sprinkled on their cereal.  You name it--they tried it.  When everyone came in to eat, they didn't ask,  "What's for supper?' but, "How'd you fix it?  Mealtime was about as exciting as watching paint dry or listening to the minutes of last year's meeting."   The Israelites complained so much about the manna that God sent them quail to eat.  Psalm 106:15 King James says,  "And he gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul."  What chilling words!  May we never want anything of the world so badly that we damage our relationship with God.

Their grumbling and complaining was their way of dealing with circumstances they did not like.  They were, in essence, telling God they were dissatisfied with Him and with His plans and provisions for them.  How should they have responded to their various circumstances?  How do you respond to your circumstances?

Heavenly Father, instead of whining and complaining about difficult circumstances, may we trust You, remembering all the times You have rescued us, provided for us, and protected us in the past.  May we praise You and thank You for Your faithfulness.  Amen.             

Crossing the Red Sea

"Do not be afraid or discouraged...for the battle is not yours but God's."  from 2 Chronicles 20:15

"The Lord your God himself will fight for you."  Deuteronomy 3:22b

The Israelites were really hemmed in.  The Red Sea was before them.  Rugged mountain ranges were on each side.  And Pharaoh's army was rapidly closing in on them from the rear.  We might say they found themselves "between the devil and the deep Red Sea."  The Israelites were terrified.  They did not know that God had already planned a miraculous escape for them.  Moses told them what to do, and it is good advice for us as well when we are in a seemingly impossible situation.  He said,  "Do not be afraid.  Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.  The Egyptians you see today you will never see again.  The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still."   Exodus 14:13-14.  My mother-in-law used to say,  "Hush yo’ fuss!"  That's the general idea here.  The verb translated "be still" also has the connotation of keeping silent.  Ceasing to grumble or complain can go a long way toward helping find a way out. Recognizing our weakness and turning quietly to God in faith and hope is the surest path to deliverance and victory.

When we are hemmed in, the world watches us to see what will happen, to see how we will react and what God will do.  This is a tremendous opportunity for us to display our faith and for God to reveal His faithfulness.

God caused a cloud to come between the Israelites and the Egyptian army, obscuring one from the other in order to protect His people.  Then He caused the wind to blow all night, pushing back the water of the Red Sea and making a path through it.  Apparently the wind had the effect of a giant hair dryer, because the Israelites crossed on dry land rather than sloshing through mud.

Some people say the Red Sea was only a foot or two deep, and the Israelites merely waded across.  If that were the case, the miracle would be that God drowned an entire army in such shallow water!

When we are in a tight spot, it is very encouraging to remember all the times that God has delivered us in the past.  And when God delivers us, we should always remember to praise and thank Him for what He has done for us.

Father, thank You for all the times You have come to our rescue when we have been in tight places.  Thank You for Your love and Your faithfulness.  May we always trust You and find peace in You.  Amen.     

Hemmed In

"As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them."  Exodus 14:10a

Have you ever felt like you were between the proverbial "rock and a hard place?"  Have you ever been hemmed in and completely helpless to deal with your situation?  What did you do?  How did you react?

After the final plague on Egypt, Pharaoh finally agreed to let the Israelites go.  The Egyptians urged the people to hurry up and leave.  They had experienced more than enough of God's plagues on their land.  They even gave the Israelites silver, gold, and clothing to take with them as they left.  I can hear them in my mind's ear snorting the Egyptian equivalent of "good riddance."

Sometimes when we are in hard places, we think that God may have made a mistake or forgotten us or hidden His face from us or left us.  But the Israelites knew that God was with them because He led them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night.  We can know that God has not forgotten us nor left us because He has given us His promise never to leave or forsake us.

God was very specific in His directions to Moses about where the Israelites were to camp, so God led them on purpose into their situation.  After the Israelites left Egypt, Pharaoh regretted letting his slaves get away, and he and his army set out in hot pursuit.

Sometimes God leads us into a difficult situation where we are hemmed in because He has a good purpose.  In this case God would be glorified and the Egyptians would know that God was the Lord.

How did the Israelites react?  Exodus 14:10b-12 tells us,  "As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians marching after them.  They were terrified and cried out to the Lord.  They said to Moses,  'Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you brought us to the desert to die?  What have you done to us by bringing us out of Egypt?  Didn't we say to you in Egypt,  "Leave us alone; let us serve the Egyptians?  It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert"'"  Was the response of the Israelites a good example for us?  How do you think they should have reacted?

Father, when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, may we continue to trust You and Your sovereignty, Your love, Your goodness, and Your wisdom.  Amen.