In our Bible lessons, we are studying with the children, we are going through the book of Exodus. The wide-eyed child wonder is contagious as we learn and really think about the Israelites wandering through the desert, sustained on heaven sent manna, evening quail, and Elim's deep waters. But it seems His people are ever complaining, imagining their life in Egypt when they had warm homes, plenty of food, markets full of cloth and spices - convenient living.
Traveling through miles of dusty wilderness God stops them at Sinai's base to give them His rules for living. Moses ascends the mountain, as the rocky giant quakes in the presence of the Lord. Thunder, lightning, and smoke cover the Most High and Moses speaks with God. The commandments are given and the messenger tells the Israelite nation God's laws.
"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything..." Exodus 20:4
"Do not fear, for God has come to test you. . . so that you may not sin." Exodus 20:20
His perfect law is sent, so that we may not sin, so that we will know right and wrong, black and white rules spoken by the voice of Almighty God. Then Moses returns up to the mountain to gaze on Glory and receive more instructions for tabernacle worship. The leader lingers, the people wait. . .and wait. . . and wait. Their eyes and hearts and minds wander from the things of God. Impatience reigns, boredom creeps in, idol thoughts quietly settle into their minds.
"Come, make us gods that shall go before us," the people cry. Exodus 32:1
"Bring me your gold," Aaron replies. Aaron - who once defied Pharoah, stood beside Moses as he led them across the Red Sea, leader of worship - and now molder of idol.
We all know this story how the chosen ones of God forsake His Word and His will and worship the golden calf. They pour all that is precious to them into this god symbol, their gold, their sacrifices, their souls.
I judge quickly, these chosen ones. "You just saw the hand of God deliver you from slavery, carry you through the sea and wilderness. You saw as He sustained you with food and water, gave you clothes and shoes that didn't wear out, and spoke from mountaintops with lightning and smoke. What is wrong with you? Why would you defy His command to not make any graven image? Why would you go seeking the world when you have the Maker of the world right above you?"
Then I remember . . . I am the same.
All too often my hours are spent watching man made objects. The world calls through television or music or the computer. Calling to come and take pleasure, come rest awhile in comfortable delight. Come and give your time (your life) to golden gods.
Sometimes my idols come in packages that are good unto themselves, but when they take the place of God, it is worship. Frequently my children are given that place in my heart that should only be reserved for my King. When my need to fulfill their desires, to lavish and not instruct them, when I love them more than my God, it is sin.
Lately, food has been erected in my heart as an object of worship. Without realizing it, I find myself searching for comfort in what I consume. Ahhh...chocolate. . . who can resist? I can and I should. When I search for comfort in cravings and not my Creator, it has become an idol.
The list goes on and on. Me, a chosen one, choosing not to find my strength, hope, and comfort in Him. Idolator. Ouch!
So here I am, an Israelite of sorts, forgetting the marvelous work of salvation and redemption the Lord has done in my life. Forgetting how He has walked me through valleys and lavished His blessings upon me. Forgetting to look up. . . and looking around. Looking for something I can see or grasp in my hands to give my worship unto.
Only when Moses returns and casts down the idol, grinds it up into dust, and makes the Israelites drink it does the idolatry end. What a stomach ache that must have been! And coming face to face with your own idols is a hard pill to swallow, but it must be done. My idols must be crushed and never looked upon again with the same adoration. Nothing is to take the place of God in my heart. Nothing.
(repost)
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