Exodus 32:1-35

It is amazing how quick the people forget the law of God and the promises that they had made to obey the commandments that the Lord had given.  Only a few days earlier they had all promised to obey all that God had told them to do, then they come and ask Aaron to make a god for them to worship.  Moses delayed on the mountain and the people got tired of waiting.  This passage makes it very obvious how important leadership is with people.  Moses was a strong a godly leader that held the people accountable to the will and Word of God.  Aaron proved to be a weak and corrupt leader who wanted to please people more than obey God.

THE PEOPLE FORGOT THEIR PROMISE TO GOD: The people had unanimously promised to obey the commandments of God.  Specifically that they would not worship other gods or make graven images.  However, the time that they had spent in Egypt apparently had a huge impact on the lives of the people and they wanted a god like they had seen in Egypt.  No matter how much we may want to deny it, we must all recognize that we forget our promises to God so easily when things become difficult.  Circumstances that are not to our liking will often reveal the true idolatry of our hearts.  We must always be alert to the temptations that so easily and often bombard us and influence us to disobey the Lord.  In our flesh we are no different from the children of Israel and we must be very careful not to allow the idols of our heart to sprout, grow, take root and produce fruit that displeases our Lord.

AARON FAILED TO LEAD THE PEOPLE FOR GOD: Aaron was left in charge, but he did not do what leaders are called to do.  He knew what was right, but he was afraid of displeasing the people.  Instead he lead the people into idolatry, by making the calf, building and altar of worship before the calf and proclaiming this calf as the god who had brought them out of Egypt.  The power that comes from pleasing people can be intoxicating for a leader and he can be filled with pride, but the cost of this kind of leadership is very high.  When Moses confronts Aaron, he does not own up to his failures, rather, he blames the people instead of truly repenting and demonstrating that he knew he was wrong.  As leaders we must stand up to people’s sinful desires and point them to the Lord.  When we do fail we need to recognize, repent and return from our sin to worship God alone.

MOSES FOUGHT TO SAVE THE PEOPLE FROM GOD: God made it known to Moses that He was planning to destroy the children of Israel because of their sin and idolatry.  God told Moses that He would start His plan of redemption all over with him and that Moses would be the new Abraham.  Moses wanted no part of this plan.  He interceded on behalf of the people before God and even went as far as to offer up his own life in their place.  However, the love Moses had for the people and his loyalty to them as their leader did not make him passive towards their sin.  He confronted Aaron and then called the Levites to take up swords and begin killing those who were refusing to repent from this idolatrous orgy.  What a contrast in leadership from that of Aaron.  In a popularity contest Aaron would have won every time, but a loving and godly leader will do what is best for his people in light of eternity no matter how unpopular that may be.

GOD FORGAVE THE PEOPLE FOR HIS GLORY: God had planned to wipe out the entire nation and start over with Moses.  He changed his mind because of the prayer Moses offered up to the Lord.  In this powerful prayer, God demonstrated that His priority is for the nations of the world to worship Him.  Moses reminds God that the Egyptians and other nations were looking at the children of Israel and judging their God based on what happened to them.  God demonstrated His justice and holiness by killing thousands of the rebellious men but He demonstrated His mercy and grace by forgiving the nation.  God’s glory must always be the priority of our prayers.