Exodus 32 (not going to put in the whole chapter cause it's a lot)
context: While Moses is up on Mt. Sinai talking to God, the Israelites approach Aaron and say, "Come, make us gods who will go before us." (verse 1)
So Aaron gets all the jewelry from the ppl... "he took what they handed him and made it into an idol case in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool." (v. 4)
My question is, why does Aaron do what he does?
1. He is focused on pleasing the people
They come to him with a complaint, and his focus is on solving it for them himself, instead of directing the focus to God. This demonstrates a lack of humility!
2. In focusing on how to please the people, he lacks fear of God
This much is clear because he disobeys a direct commandment! (You shall not make for yourselves an idol, Exodus 20:4)
So what happens as a result?
-Moses confronts Aaron, wants him to explain/defend himself
"What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?" (v. 21)
Since Aaron is the leader, he is held responsible for the people and their sin.
But Aaron's response is the same as Adam and Eve! He tries to shift the blame on others.
"You know how prone these people are to evil" (v.22)
Plus, he acts like he had nothing really to do with it
"Then they gave me the gold, and i threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!" (v.24)
...Nice try Aaron. Verse 4 tells us all about how you took a tool and personally carved the shape of a calf out of the gold.
It's like when you're a kid and you're trying to explain to your parents how all the cookies disappeared... something along the lines of "And then they just jumped down onto my plate!"
It's when you make excuses, thinking they won't catch you, but they see through it right away, because the results of your action are so obvious.
Like a little kid, Aaron has put himself into a difficult position, and he gets called out on it.
Bottom line: It is important to have humble leaders who fear God, who bring problems to God, rather than relying on themselves to solve them.
I think this is something to reflect upon as you (hopefully!) step up to lead in the future, and/or elect people who will lead the ministries you take part in
This/you reminded me of that night we went bowling and its was just the 4 of us with our names we got at retreat heheh that was such a good night!
ReplyDeleteI pray that we all put God before us at all times, and rely on him rather than our selves and our own strength! I pray God plants humility and "reverential awe" and compassion and love into our current leaders and our leaders to come, filling them with the Holy Spirit! In Jesus' name Amen!