The United States Government does not trust its citizens. When you receive your paycheck from your job, they have already deducted what is theirs. Also, they don’t trust you to give them the correct amount, so they determined the correct percentage that you are to give them, and that is what they take. The United States government makes sure its citizens are rendering to Caesar what belongs to Caesar.
God, however, gives a man a choice to be obedient to the Word. He never forces us to do right. He gives us the opportunity to share a tenth of our increase with Him willingly, and in turn, He blesses the ninety percent that we have left.
From the beginning of man’s existence, God had a portion that belonged only to Him, and He told Adam not to touch His portion. Adam and Eve did not follow His instructions; they touched, and thus, they suffered the consequences. He gave Israel the laws of tithing and offerings to which we are still adhering, and like Israel, some obeyed while others disobey.
Malachi 3: 8 -11 states, “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Believers are to give God a tithe, which is equivalent to ten percent of our increase, which means a dime from every dollar we receive belongs to God. The tithe is not optional, but the offering is of our choosing; there is no required amount that you are to give.
Believers are tested in following the Law of Giving when bills need to be paid, and there are not enough monies to meet their obligations. It requires unwavering faithfulness and obedience to do the right thing and to trust God to meet your needs. Personally, I treat my tithes like a bill that must be paid first; it has top priority, and when giving my offering I do so with the song in mind, “You can’t beat God in giving, no matter how you try. The more you give to Him, the more He gives to you.” These things have allowed me to reap the blessings of Malachi 3 and not the curses. God can trust me with the dime; can He trust you?
I recently had an experience that made me reflect on why I served God. Was I serving Him because I loved Him, or was my service to acquire things? As I began to seriously, question my motives I was reminded of the story of Job.
In the story of Job, unbeknownst to him, while he was functioning in his typical manner and serving God to the best of his ability, Satan and God was having a conversation about him. In that conversation, God spoke of the virtues of Job, and Satan said, “Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.” God’s response to this accusation was to allow Satan to attack Job’s possessions and family. Satan did, but Job continued to praise God, causing Satan and God to have another conversation about Job. This time Satan said, “Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” Once again, God allowed Satan to attack Job, but this time, Satan afflicted Job’s body. Even when his wife suggested Job curse God and die, Job refused but continued to praise God. When his friends came to see about him, and openly speculated why Job was suffering, Job continued to hold on to his faith in God. Though suffering, Job did not waver in his faith or praise.
Like Job, my desire and prayer are to be faithful to God. I honor and worship Him for who He is and for the privilege of being one of His chosen children. In the good times and the bad, I want to be found in His presence and my mouth full of praises for Him. When things appear bleak in my life, and my prayers are not being answered, I don’t want to pout, become depressed, and be missing in action. I don’t want to treat Him like a Santa Claus who the world acknowledges once a year when they want something from him. I don’t want to serve God to obtain things because I understand that as a King, He takes care of His citizens. I want Him to trust in my loyalty to Him and know I can stand the test of the enemy. Finally, I will serve Him because I am a mature believer that realizes without Him in my life, I am lost.
I pray this blog has made you stop to consider why you serve God and that you resolve in your spirit, mind, and body to serve Him every day of your life not to receive things but because He alone is worthy of your service and adoration.
Particularly on social media networks I often see announcements of people that have departed this life and included in the announcement or condolences are the letters R.I.P. and I sometimes wonder are the departed resting in peace or are they in a place of torment.
It has been said that funerals are not for the departed because they cannot hear what is being said, but it is for the living to provide comfort and closure. Often at funeral services, we hear remarks being made placing individuals that did not serve God while they were living in heaven with Him and other departed loved ones. Many do not realize or want to accept the idea that their assumption is not true. Hebrews 9:27 states, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” This verse means that there is no second chance after you die, your life on earth will determine where you will spend eternity and if you are not a child of God you are not resting in peace.
The parable that Jesus shared with the people in Luke 16:19-31 talked about two men: Lazarus a beggar and a certain rich man. When the rich man who was selfish and unwilling to share his wealth died, he was able to see Lazarus who had also died in the comforting arms of Abraham while he was in torment in hell. The rich man wanted relief from the flame but was told by Abraham there would be no relief for him. He also wanted someone to go to his relatives that were still living and ministered to them so that they would not end up in hell like him.
During the funeral services for those departed individuals who were unbelievers, we have the opportunity to follow the request of the rich man. Therefore, I believe that a different approach needs to be taken at funerals. The eulogist and those giving remarks need not lie to the family and tell the family their loved one is resting in peace. God knows, and that is all that matters for their loved one might be like the thief on the cross next to Jesus who acknowledged Him as “The King of the Jews” and Jesus told him that on that day he would be with Him in paradise. If you do not know that the departed made a last minute confession of faith, say nothing, instead address all those that are present and inform them that every day they are living counts, and their relationship with God on earth determines their future after death. Let them know there is no mercy extended to the unbeliever after death, and their eternal destiny is fixed. Also, there is no reincarnation, so while they are living choose life, choose God, and they will one day rest in peace.
In this New Year of 2016, I am encouraging you as ambassadors of God in this earthly realm to speak the Words of the King. If you already speak the Word, continue, and if you don’t start.
Jesus, our King, was our perfect example for while He was on earth when confronted by the enemy He showed us how we are to respond. He did not entertain or engage the enemy in conversation; however, He did tell the enemy what was written. Look at the Bible’s account of their meeting:
Matthew 4:1- 11 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Here is what I learned from this encounter. The enemy, when he comes, will stay with you for a while, and he will try to tempt you in several areas where he thinks you are vulnerable. My job is not to get weary, but to continue to speak the Word to him until he leaves. Jesus knew which scriptures were the right responses, and to follow His example, I also need to know the scriptures that will be appropriate for each assault. This requires my time in reading and studying the Word so that I may be proficient in it. If I don’t do the work, I will make mistakes due to my laziness and ignorance. I must remember the words that Jesus spoke to the Sadducees in Matthew 22:29, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
Also, Jesus, when confronted by the people, Jews, and religious community concerning His teachings, He knew how to speak to them. He let them know His words were directed from God. Some examples of these encounters were:
John 7:16 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”
John 8:28 “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
John 12:49 “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
John 14:10 “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
If Jesus, the Son of God, spoke in power to the masses, I surely should follow His example by using God’s word.
Another good example to note is the centurion who in Matthew 8:8 understood the power of the Word for when requesting Jesus to heal his servant he said, “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” When I believe, the spoken Word can travel where I am unable to go and to perform miracles without me being present.
In closing, these are the two things I need to remember that will lead me to success in 2016:
- In my position as an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5: 20) of God’s kingdom, I never speak my personal position on any issue, only God’s official position and I strive to influence the world with the Word for God’s kingdom government.
I am in this world but not of this world (John 17: 14), so I do not resort to carnal warfare for my spiritual weaponry are more powerful (2 Corinthians 10:3).
Have you ever thought about heaven? For several months I’ve been studying “THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” which also includes a study on the kingdom of heaven. This study has led me to take some time and think about heaven, and in this blog, I will share some of my thoughts with you.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most frequently used for heaven is samayim, signifying “heaved up things” or “the heights.” In the New Testament, the Greek word is ouranos, which means “sky” or “air.” Paul in his writing said, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) and John also had a similar experience as he stated in Revelation 4:1-2, “ After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” In both of these incidents, they were not talking about the first heaven which is known as the atmosphere just above the earth where birds and planes fly, and clouds exist (Genesis 1:20). Nor are they talking about the second heaven known as interstellar/outer space, where the stars, planets, galaxies and other celestial objects exist (Genesis 1:14-18) but they are talking about what Bible scholars call the third heaven where God and other spirit being which He created abide (Psalms 2:4).
Since I am a bible believer I know, as stated in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Scientists have yet to determine when that was; however, from research, they speculate that the universe is over 13 billion years old. Who knows but God when the beginning actually was and how He created heaven? What I do understand is the third heaven expands the universe; therefore, it is vast, and to be truthful, my mind has difficulty grasping that thought. My imagination cannot even begin to imagine what heaven, which is a place entails.
In Revelation 21:1a, John stated, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” I understand the new earth but I have questions about a new heaven . Is that scripture giving reference to one of the heavens or all of them? Maybe, when I get to the third heaven, during our short time there, I may find out the answer for as David said in Psalms 115:15-16 “Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” Thus, I understand that in God’s mind He never intended for man to live eternally in the heaven; so, for now, I will occasionally think about it, knowing one day I will experience living in it.
Many people will start this new year of 2016 by making their New Year resolutions. To name a few: some will be focusing on debt cancellation, others on educational goals, others on weight loss, and still others on significant purchases. However, Jesus gave us the ultimate goal for every year in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
This verse is found amid a private conversation that Jesus had with his disciples concerning kingdom lifestyle, which includes: charitable deeds, prayer, fasting, wealth, and judging. Jesus spoke to His disciples on the premise that they understood kingdom principles. One of these principles is, when you are a citizen in a kingdom, the kingdom cares for you by providing the things you need. Less they forget, become distracted, and begin to worry, Jesus assured his disciples that God who was the King of King, creator of all things, sustainer of life, and omniscient would provide them with the necessities of life. Also, this benevolent action by the king depended on the citizen’s loyalty, for if they were rebellious, the King could become a tyrant.
For our continued success in 2016 let me share the meaning of the key words in Matthew 6:33:
Seek = Greek (epizteo) to acquire, strive after, long for, search for, to bend one’s effort to, to pursue
First = Greek (proton) in time, place, order, or importance, preceding all others
Kingdom = Greek (basileia) realm, rule, a government or country headed by a king
Righteousness = Greek (dikaiosune) equity, justification, God-like righteousness
Accordingly, my first and foremost activity for 2016 is to go after, track down, strive after, long for, pursue the kingdom of God with an understanding that in a kingdom the king makes all the laws and it is the citizen’s responsibility to follow them. Secondly, I am to go after, long for, and pursue God’s righteousness, which means I am to be properly aligned and in right standing with Him, which involves knowing Him and His Word. If I can wholeheartedly do this in 2016, I believe my year will be the greatest, most productive and fulfilling year that I have ever experienced, and since I genuinely feel this for myself, I encourage you also to make Matthew 6:33 your New Year’s resolution.
May God bless you and keep you throughout 2016.
I am always amazed when I see Christmas goods in the stores in the month of October and Christmas lights decorating the outside of people’s houses before Thanksgiving. As many people confess, Christmas time has become so commercialized that many have forgotten what Christmas represents. Therefore, I am going to do this blog on, “The Reason for the Season.”
The exact birth date of Jesus has been questioned by many biblical scholars. However, the first celebrations of Christ’s birth were initially grouped with Epiphany, one of the earliest feasts of the Christian church which was held on January 6. Also, the first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336AD, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine and a few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on December 25th. For believers, the birth date does not matter; what is important to us is that He was born with a purpose.
When God created man in His image, and after His likeness He gave him a mandate, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). He also gave Adam these instructions, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). Genesis 3 records the failure of man to obey these instructions, and consequently, he began the death process, and the man lost dominion.
Thankfully, and mercifully, God had a plan of redemption and restoration for man, and it entailed the birth of His son Jesus Christ. Long before His birth, Isaiah prophesied, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
When the time was right, Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem of Judaea. He grew up in Nazareth, and at age thirty, He began His earthly ministry. His first message is found in Matthew 4:17, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (KJV). The Message Bible states this verse, “This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: Change your life. God’s kingdom is here” and the Amplified Bible says, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “[a]Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Throughout His three year ministry, Jesus preached the kingdom of heaven/ the kingdom of God. This kingdom message is about a King, His kingdom, and His royal family. It is how God sent Jesus to earth to not only redeem man but to help men get back to God’s original mandate, which is dominion. Man’s responsibility is to fill the world with the glory of God via influence, control, and rulership.
So, I encourage you to remember “THE REASON FOR THE SEASON” and not be like the world who thinks Christmas is a time of gathering, eating, drinking, giving and receiving gifts. Jesus was born for more than these things.
As it was in my last blog, I am inspired to write this blog from the chapter on Judges that I read in Henriette Mears’ book, “WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT.” The first paragraph reads as thus, “Someone has called the book of Judges the account of the Dark Ages of the Israelite people. The people forsook God (Judges 2:13), and God forsook the people (Judges 2:23)”.
If you read the book of Judges, a repeated verse that you find in the book states, “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Apparently, it did not matter that they had the laws of God by which they were expected to live. Repeatedly we see the children of Israel going into captivity because of their actions, repenting and God sending them a deliverer to help get them out of bondage. They were faithful to God as long as the deliverer remained alive, but after their demise, the Israelites fell back into their sinful ways. Here is how Henriette describes that time, “And so the book is full of rebellion, punishment, misery, and deliverance. The book begins with compromise and ends with confusion. This is what happens in every unsurrendered life.”
As I look around the world and see and hear about the senseless violence and lawlessness, I truly feel that I am living in the times of the judges where everyone was doing what was right in their eyes. I notice the world appears oblivious to God until a disaster occurs then they are calling for a prayer meeting, and some have the audacity to blame God for the problem.
God has always wanted to be our king. His relationship with Adam was harmonious until Adam listened to the wrong voices. He chooses Abraham and his descendants to make them a great theocratic nation that was solely under His rulership. He desired a loving relationship that was not forced but done out of love, respect, and allegiance. He wanted to be their “I am God,” but unfortunately Israel collectively and individually wanted to do their thing. There is a saying, “History repeats itself.” The body of Christ appears to be acting like Israel during the time of the judges. We are falling into the same snares as Israel, and we need our deliverer who is God to come and rescue us, but we are having difficulty surrendering to Him.
Most of us know Satan desires humans to have his nature, to be rebellious, and to make decisions apart from God. He wants us to be in charge of our lives, which ultimately mean he’s in charge. It is not hard to change this condition for we have a deliverer that is always present. A simple acknowledgment will do, “God, I have a problem, and I need your help.” God is willing and able; all He wants us to do is allow Him to be in charge.
In our weekly Christian education class at the church, I attend, we are studying the Bible using the book “WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT” by Henrietta Mears. I recently was reading the chapter she wrote on the book of Deuteronomy, and I was reminded that time does not change God’s perspectives.
I quote, “This book shows the blessings of obedience and the curse of disobedience. Everything depends on obedience – life itself, possession of the Promise Land, victory over foes, prosperity, and happiness. We find this book teaches the inflexibility of the law. Thou shalt and thou shalt not occur over and over again- the blessing if you do obey and curse if you disobey” (Deuteronomy 11:28-28)
In the age in which we are presently living, compromise has become a way of life. Believers are labeled haters if they adhere to the divine law rather than the human view. Many churches have changed their theology as not to offend the masses. Churches have forgotten their purpose is to lead people into holy living, and many have become a social club rather than a soul-saving station.
Jesus and the Apostles in their writings warned us of these times and since believers are not contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints as Jude stated, “Certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).
Let our continued prayer be: that the body of Christ will awake out of sleep, that we will not be conformed to this world, that we will seek to be in right relationship with God, and that we will obey His Word for than we will receive the blessings of God.
I was recently at a church service, and the actions of the people caused me to wonder if they were playing church. The incident that took place in Exodus, which I will discuss further below came to my mind, and I wondered how God was viewing us. Was He pleased that we took the sacredness of our place of worship lightly? Did we feel that we could pollute our atmosphere and then expect Him to manifest Himself with His presence in a manner that people were saved, delivered, healed, and restored? Have we been subtly ushered into a time of folly which blocks the move of God? Have we been lulled into deceptive sleep where we believe God does not find our behavior offensive?
After 430 years, God delivers Israel out of Egypt, and they are on their way to Canaan. In their third month of traveling, they encamped at Mount Sinai where all the events are written from Exodus 19 to Numbers 10 occurred. It is here that God started giving Moses laws, commandments and statues, Moses shares these with the people, and they answered, “All the words which the Lord said we will do” (Exodus 24:3). God then tells Moses, “Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them” (Exodus 24: 12). Moses complied and was in the mount forty days and forty nights communing with God. During this time, God instructs him on the building of the tabernacle and its’ furniture, the Urim and Thummim, the office of the priest, burnt offerings and the law of the Sabbath. At the end of their time together, God gave him two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Meanwhile, back at the camp, the people became impatient and anxious over the long absence of Moses. They came to Aaron who Moses had designated to be in charge while he was gone and requested that he make them a god. They easily forgot their, “We will do,” the visible pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire which represented God being with them, and the many miracles that God had performed on their behave. Aaron acquiesced and told them to give him their golden earrings which he used to make a golden calf, and when it was made the people said, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” When Aaron saw what he had made and heard the response of the people he built an altar before it and proclaimed, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Exodus 32:6 states, “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
Consequently, Israel’s actions displeased God and He was ready to destroy all of them. It was Moses’s intercession that saved them; however, on that day under the direction of Moses, the children of Levi killed about three thousand men. Plus, God told Moses, “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” and He plagued the people, because they made the calf (Exodus 32:34-35a).
In this chapter (Exodus 32), the children of Israel disobeyed the commandments that God had given them and reverted back to the idolatry and customs of the Egyptians. Commentators believed like the Egyptians they engaged in licentious dancing, sexual indecencies and immoral sex play which accompanied the Egyptian’s festivals. The fact that Israel had just concluded offering sacrifices to a god and then proceeded to act like their former oppressors showed the corruption of their hearts and minds. They had not learned to come out from among them and be separated.
Unfortunately, in our churches, some have adopted the dance moves of the world and incorporated them in their praise. Have these moves become acceptable because leadership has not condemned it? Have leaders become like Aaron who gave in to the pressure of the people instead of cautioning them on their request and actions? Though we are worshipping God, we are acting like these Israelis, do you think God views us differently?
As I end this blog, I believe these questions are what each one of us needs to soberly ask ourselves and remember the words of God, “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).
I was recently at a church service and the actions of the people caused me to wonder if they were playing church. The incident that took place in Exodus which I will discuss further below came to my mind and I wondered how God was viewing us. Was He pleased that we took lightly the sacredness of our place of worship? Did we feel that we could pollute our atmosphere and then expect Him to manifest Himself with His presence in a manner that people were saved, delivered, healed and restored? Have we been subtly ushered into a time of folly which blocks the move of God? Have we been lulled into deceptive sleep where we believe God does not find our behavior offensive?
After 430 years, God delivers Israel out of Egypt and they are on their way to Canaan. In their third month of travelling they encamped at Mount Sinai where all the events written from Exodus 19 to Numbers 10 occurred. It is here that God started giving Moses laws, commandments and statues, Moses shares these with the people and they answered, “All the words which the Lord said we will do” (Exodus 24:3). God then tells Moses, “Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them” (Exodus 24: 12). Moses complies and was in the mount forty days and forty nights communing with God. During this time, God instructs him on the building of the tabernacle and its’ furniture, the Urim and Thummin, the office of the priest, burnt offerings and the law of the Sabbath. At the end of their time together God gave him two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Meanwhile back at the camp the people became impatient and anxious over the long absence of Moses. They came to Aaron who Moses had designated to be in-charge while he was gone and requested that he make them a god. They easily forgot their, “We will do,” the visible pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire which represented God being with them, and the many miracles that God had performed on their behave. Aaron acquiesced and told them to give him their golden earrings which he used to make a golden calf, and when it was made the people said, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” When Aaron saw what he had made and heard the response of the people he built an altar before it and proclaimed, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Exodus 32:6 states, “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
Consequently, Israel’s actions displeased God and He was ready to destroy all of them. It was Moses’s intercession that saved them; however on that day under the direction of Moses the children of Levi killed about three thousand men. Plus, God told Moses, “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” and He plagued the people, because they made the calf (Exodus 32:34-35a).
In this chapter (Exodus 32) the children of Israel disobeyed the commandments that God had given them, and reverted back to the idolatry and customs of the Egyptians. Commentators believed like the Egyptians they engaged in licentious dancing, sexual indecencies and immoral sex play which accompanied the Egyptian’s festivals. The fact that Israel had just concluded offering sacrifices to a god and then proceeded to act like their former oppressors showed the corruption of their hearts and minds. They had not learned to come out from among them and be separated.
Unfortunately in our churches some have adopted the dance moves of the world and incorporated them in their praise. Have these moves become acceptable because leadership have not condemned it? Have leaders become like Aaron who gave into the pressure of the people instead of cautioning them on their request and actions? Though we are worshipping God but we are acting like these Israelis, do you think God views us differently?
As I end this blog I believe these questions are what each one of us need to soberly ask ourselves and remember the words of God, “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).
