Text: Exodus 32:30-35

30 And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin:  and now I will go up unto the LORD;  peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.   31 And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.   32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--;  and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.   33 And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.   34 Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee:  behold, mine Angel shall go before thee:  nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them.   35 And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made.  

Thursday, 22^nd February 2024

THE SNARE OF FALSE gods and IMPLICATIONS

Text: Exodus 32:30-35

Memory verse: Exodus 32:32 Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

Moses called what they did exactly what it was, “you have committed a great sin.” Moses did not water it down. Today some would have said, “Well, they made a mistake.” He did not try to smoothen it over.  Today some would have said, “Well, everyone blows it once in a while.” Sin must be atoned for, so Moses said he will go back to the mountain to make atonement for Israel he will be gone again for a while. Will they repeat the mistake or learn from it?

Moses began by confessing to God that the people have made a god out of gold, some things have not changed, how many people still worship gold today? Moses asked God to forgive the people. He was ready and willing to be damned forever if God refuses to forgive them. What a sacrifice. Exodus 32:32 “But now, please forgive their sin,-but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” God responded to show that it is the wrong person confessing the sins and that each man is responsible for his own sins:  Exodus 32:33 “The LORD replied to Moses, ‘Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book.’” Someone other than Moses would be required to make atonement for our sins, only the sinless Christ can accomplish that. When the time came God punished those who had sinned.  But the mission would continue in answer to Moses’ prayers.  The promise land was still ahead, and there was still grace and hope. The people cannot think that if they sin, they will go unpunished, so God sends them a plague to teach them the seriousness of sin. God would not ignore sin; they needed to deal with the sin. Anytime we make God into an image of our own design we run into serious trouble.

These Israelites would give up their gold to serve a false image of God, how many people today will give large sums of money to false shepherds that make promises that are not what God teaches?  History has plated or rearranged itself today with these fake and cult leaders. It is always more exciting to worship a god that we design or invent because that false god will demand exactly what we want it to demand and give us the freedom that we already want, after all, it is a god in our own image. May God help us not to fall into a trap that will take us to worship a false god or be tempted to serve other gods. The trouble with sin is that though we might find forgiveness the scars of what we do often stay with us through life.  Israel would be plagued throughout her history for turning to false gods of their own making who of course met their own desires and agendas. Though they often repented, each generation paid a price for it.

CGDS HYMN 58: SS&S 118: 

CHRIST HATH REDEEMED US"

1. Christ hath redeemed us": sing

the glad word!

Mercy's sweet message be telling,

How, through the ransom made by

His blood,

Christ now within us is dwelling.

Refrain:

"Christ hath redeemed us": Praise to His

Praise Him, ye angels in glory! [name!

"Christ hath redeemed us," bearing our shame;

Tell out the wonderful story!

2. "Christ hath redeemed us," making us free,

Free from the sins that enslaved us;

Never in bondage more Can we be,

Trusting in Him who hath saved us.

3. "Christ hath redeemed us": we are His own,

Purchased by blood—He will hold us;

Nor will He ever leave us alone,

Safely His arms shall enfold us,

4. "Christ hath redeemed us": soon with the throng

Gathered in glory we'll meet Him;

Oh, with what rapture join in the song,

When face to face we shall greet Him!

   Prayers: 

1.  Lord Jesus, help me to blot out all the consequences of all the mistake I have made in the past.

2.  LORD God Almighty, help me to keep the door of my lips, to always align with Your words only and put Your covenant in my mouth in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.