I read Exodus 24 the other night and saw some things I don’t remember reading.
Now the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day He called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud. The sight of the glory of the LORD was like a consuming fire on the top of the mountain in the eyes of the children of Israel. Ex 24:16-17
So it was that all Israel saw this wonderful sight.
It must have been fantastic to look at it; at least the first couple of days.
But as Moses was up on the mountain with God for 40 days and nights the Israelites became restless, even though there is the cloud and fire on the mountain.
Let’s say by day 14, it’s the same old thing; cloud and fire on the mountain and nothing new.
Day 21, still the same.
They’re not going anywhere, they’re not doing anything, and it’s the same old mountain looking the same way.
Day 30 and it’s not getting any better.
It’s the same thing day after day after day after day after day; until that final day.
The new wears off completely and the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Ex 32:1
So Aaron (who will be the High Priest of God) made a golden calf; a cow!
Then they said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” Ex 32:4
Okay! Did anyone see a cow leading them out of Egypt?
I remember 10 plagues.
I remember a pillar of fire and a cloud.
I don’t remember a cow.
It’s funny that when the “new” wears off that we will grab something else and worship around it.
“Our church service is just not spiritual enough” some may say.
“It’s not like it use to be!”
But the cloud and the fire are still on the mountain!
What happens is we look away from God and forget why we are here.
It’s not for a feeling of excitement (I like that too) but it’s to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:10
If you find yourself a little disillusioned in your Christian life, look back at those Israelites worshipping a cow at the bottom of a mountain filled with smoke and fire.
For you, Jesus has this message, “…you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works…” Rev 2:4-5