MORE GOLDEN CALF STUFF

I realized in the middle of last night that if the Israelites had athletic teams, they must have been called Golden Bulls!

Then Thursday morning in an eThought article, my friend and excellent church consultant, Randy Tompkins, reminded me of some things, one of which had never crossed my mind although it should have. Look in Exodus 24!

Before the events of Sunday's lesson I posted Wednesday night, and after the giving of the 10 Commandments, God called Moses AND A WHOLE DELEGATION at least partway up Mt Sinai. It included three leaders (a sort of executive committee?) and 70 elders, probably from the judges we saw established in Chapter 19.

The purpose seems to have been a worship experience crafted by the Lord Himself. But before they went up, Moses gathered Israel and read the Ten Words to them plus some other materials that made up the Book of the Covenant. In response, the people affirmed again “All the Lord said, we will do.” Then Moses took sacrificial blood and sprinkled it on the people. Sprinkle implies a throwing, perhaps dipping a leafy branch into the blood and symbolically throwing it toward the crowd. Again Israel confirmed the covenant, the same one they would a few days later smash!

Then to the 73 men plus Moses and Joshua God revealed Himself in an awesome display of holiness. His glory lingered on the mountain for a week, after which He called Moses higher. Moses challenged them to wait for him near the base of the hill with Aaron and Hur in charge. Then with Joshua he disappeared into the glory/mist toward the top of Sinai.

Then in Chapter 33 Moses continues contending for his people. God still is claiming Moses brought HIS people from Egypt, and Moses isn't buying it. They are the Lord's people. Furthermore the Lord has been saying He's still furious and the people and will delegate leadership to an angel, because if He Himself went, He would lose it and burn them all up! Moses put the brakes on that pretty quick. Lord if You Yourself don't go with us, we're not going anywhere, and I certainly won't. Once again the Lord relents and promises His presence in their travels.

Then Moses asks for his own spiritual revival/renewal. He asks for the Lord to reveal Himself again. God grants his wish and reveals Himself to Moses in a tremendous display of glory.

Once again pay attention that the Old Testament is not merely about law. When The Law was first given to Israel, the Lord called 73 men up the hill for a tremendous worship experience. Now Moses has been through what must have been a very scary rebellion (altho Moses was so mad, he didn't have time to be afraid). He had put down first the rebellion of the people, then God's threatening Himself to rebel and destroy His people. He needed the refreshment of holiness.

Neither can we live the Christian life based on our childhood experiences. Or even later adult rededications. We need day to day nourishment through a quiet time, weekly corporate worship, and occasional high experiences of revival. Moses asked God for it. I dare you to do the same!