Mt. Sinai was God's Holy Mountain. As the Israelites struggled to maintain some essence of life in the desert, God spoke often to Moses on the mountain, giving Moses good rules for the people to live by in their new society. However, the people became quite impatient to get to that land that sounded so promising...such an easy thing, let's just go, and get there and be in their new home! What's so hard about that! One day, Moses had not returned to them and they lost all control, and unfortunately, so did Aaron. The people wanted to worship something solid, something they could touch, something they could see, and finally, Aaron gave in to them. "Go....collect gold from your tents, and bring it to me!" he said. And the people did bring him their gold. After heating it in the fire they cast it into the form of a calf. And they bowed down and worshipped it. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry, spinning around with happiness. They did not seem to want the kind of religiousity God was giving them...so many rules, so much to remember.
This injured God mightily. He wanted to destroy them and make a new nation with Moses. But Moses searched further into God's heart and pleaded with him, "Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac, and Israel to whom you swore by your own self: "I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars n the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever." Then, the Lord relented.
Moses then turned and went down the mountain with the two tablets of the Testimony in his hands. They were inscribed on both sides, front and back. The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. But when Moses got to the bottom of the mountain, and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned, his face flamed, and he threw the precious tablets to the ground. And he took the calf they made and burned it on the fire, afterwards grinding it up into a powder and scattering it on the water. And, finally, he made the Israelites drink the water that contained their sin.
Then he stood to the side and said, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." And all the Israelites rallied to him. He set before them punishment, and they observed its harshness. Moses said to them, "You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the Lord; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." And he went back to the Lord, and said, "Oh, what a great sin these people have committed. They have made themselves gods of gold. But now, please forgive their sin--but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written." And the Lord said, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book. Now go , lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin."
Once again, two tablets were readied with the Ten commandments, written by the Lord himself. And Moses was given instructions, "Be ready to go in the morning."
It is difficult to relate to the sin of those people in the desert. We might say, "How could they?" After all, they had God himself right before them! But they were not used to a god they could not see or touch. Too many other people had little gods they could carry around as if for good luck! And they were OK! But, God had warned them through Moses. Sadly, Aaron alone did not have the strength of purpose anymore, that he had once had. And so they each failed their God even before He had a chance to show them the goodness He could bring to them.
How difficult it is to "keep the faith!" We are taught to be responsible, to think for ourselves, to be thinking people. But, keeping the faith in God to lead, to teach, to restore, to protect..that's another story. We are a people used to using our own heads and hearts.
So, why did Moses have such a great rapport with God? They talked face to face, just like friends do.
It certainly wasn't because Moses was perfect, gifted, or powerful! Rather, it was because God chose Moses, and Moses in turn relied whole heartedly on God's wisdom and direction. Friendship with God was a true privilege for Moses, out of reach for the other Hebrews. But it is not out of reach for us today. Jesus called his disciples--and by extension, all of his followers--his friends (John15:15) He has called you and me to be his friends. Can we trust Him as Moses did? (Study/ & me)
I hope we can be a friend to Jesus, God Incarnate. The Father who loved Moses, loves us as well. I know because He sent His Son and He died on a cross for us, you and me. What greater love is there? I like to spend time with my good friends. I want to spend time with Jesus, and I think that's what the Father wants for me, too. For in spending time together, I will learn what Jesus wants. And as a good friend, I want to do what He wants.
Hoping you agree!
Jo INMN
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