February 11: Of Sin, Self Delusion and Salvation

Exodus 32:1-33:23

Matthew 26:69-27:14

Psalm 33:1-11

Proverbs 8:33-36

Let's remember that it is likely a lot of the jewelry they used to create their false idol came from the plunder God gave them when they left Egypt - remember that?  Probably the only instance in history when the fleeing party actually plundered the people staying?

Let's remember that Moses hadn't been gone very long, and it certainly hadn't been too long since they saw God inflict the plagues, part the red sea, and feed them in the desert.

How quickly they forgot.  How quickly, free from slavery to the Egyptians, free from hunger and thirst, they forgot the God who had given them their food and their freedom.  And how tragically, ironically fitting that, having fashioned wealth in the shape of a calf, Aaron declares "These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt."  How quickly they justified themselves, and how quickly it seems they went from even doubting the rightness of their actions to the deluded, self righteous celebration of their sinfulness.  

And little did they know, how close to total disaster they came.  While God forgave them, it took Moses's intercession to obtain that forgiveness.  God was ready to "destroy them" and start over with Moses, whom He said He would make into a great nation.  Moses interceded, and God forgave.  But make no mistake - He did not condone, He did not find the sin acceptable.  And the Israelites did not escape the consequences of their actions.

When we look at society today, there are so many ways we see man has justified sinful belief and action, even celebrated it.  And however man might declare it, these sins are unacceptable to God.  What's interesting is that God has given us a new Moses, in Jesus, who not only intercedes for us, but bears the totality of the consequence of our sinfulness upon Himself; Who, by His actions, gains for us the salvation we could not obtain on our own.  

By Jesus's actions, we can be like Moses, able to approach God directly.  And we can pray as Moses did: "If You are pleased with me, teach me Your ways so I may know You and continue to find favor with You."