There is always a danger in the priest listening to the
voice of the people and responding to it in order to keep them happy. In doing so here, Aaron participated in the
sin of the people in violation of the first two commandments. What was he thinking? How could these newly minted gods have
brought them out of Egypt? That happened
before the gods were created and these gods were their own creation, not the
other way round. The people say to
Aaron, “Up!” and because he obeyed their voice the Lord has to say to Moses,
“Go down!” The rest of God’s speech is
interesting, “for YOUR people, whom YOU brought up out of the
land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.”
Moses refuses to take that bait, responding, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have
brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?” They aren’t MY people and I didn’t bring them
out, they’re YOURS and YOU brought them out.
He appeals to the patriarchs and the covenant to ask God to relent of
anger, wise move. Moses breaks the
tablets, signifying the covenant itself is broken, and then smashes the
idols. It seems incredible that they
could have done such a thing doesn’t it?
Have you ever gotten tired of waiting for God and taken matters in your
own hands?
Jesus begins teaching His disciples with
some hard sayings. He speaks of what
looks like an upside-down world, where those who see the world for what it is,
broken and busted, are those who are truly blessed. He strips away all the allurements of this
life from blessing and says take God’s perspective on things, comparing the way
things were intended with the way things actually are and look at the world
that way. Our perspective needs change,
we are like the Israelites in Egypt, we have accommodated our worldview to the
way things are, not the way they were meant to be or the way they will be in
the eternal kingdom. We are called to
covenant with the Lord and yet we continue to worship things of earth and
celebrate them, acting as though they were of ultimate value.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the
Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you
will receive the inheritance as your reward.”
The rich young man asked Jesus what he had to do to inherit the kingdom
of God. The answer was to seek it first,
last and only, lay down your claim to the inheritance you have received on
earth and lay hold of the heavenly kingdom.
Paul reminds the Colossians that whatever we do, we do for the
Lord. Whether we are employed in the
church or not makes no difference, we are all ultimately employed in the work
of God. Whatever we do then we do as His
representatives and that means we do all to the best of our abilities. We aren’t, however, working to receive the
accolades and benefits of the world. If
they come our way, fine, but if not, all we do should be to please Him. Living for the Lord raises our standards and
provides us an eternal purpose for everything in this life.
Come, lift your hearts
on high,
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!
Alleluia! Amen!
Let praises fill the sky;
Alleluia! Amen!
He is our Guide and Friend;
To us He’ll condescend;
His love shall never end.
Alleluia! Amen!
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