Idols of the Past
Exodus: The Presence of the Savior • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Introduction
Introduction
Caleigh’s Buddy
Buddy provided security and peace.
When things would get difficult, we would bring out Buddy and all would be good again
One day we lost Buddy - didn’t make that mistake again - we bought several to make sure she always had her item of security.
Did Buddy actually do anything to bring security? NO.
BUDDY WAS A STUFFED ANIMAL. How silly to think an inanimate object could bring security and happiness when the one who can truly do those things stands right nearby.
But don’t we sometimes do the same thing? Don’t we sometimes grab onto inanimate objects like money, jobs, and relationships in an attempt to bring us security or happiness?
Don’t we sometimes allow immoral thoughts and disobedient behaviors into our lives again and again because it is easy and familiar? Because we think it will actually work this time, or it seems to be a habit - our natural response. All the while, the One who can truly satisfy stands right nearby.
In today’s passage will see Israel’s struggle withe same problem as they fall back into old sinful habits and behaviors.
Ultimately, we will see that desiring God now smashes the idols of the past.
Exodus 32 (ESV)
1 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. 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.”
Exodus 24:18 (ESV)
18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights.
2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
What were the reasons we see that led Israel into wanting an idol?
They were impatient with God’s timing
people saw that Moses delayed
He’s been up there forty days - He’s taking too long, we’ll do it our way.
Forty days typically seen as a time of testing.
“I’ve tried to be good - do it God’s way, but it’s just not happening, so I’m going to do it my way - make it happen”
They were confused about God’s plan
When God seems confusing, we desire control.
When we are confused, we return to what is comfortable.
Why the calf?
Why the calf?
Egypt had numerous gods represented by a cow.
Hathor- head of a cow
Isis - queen of the gods - horns on her head
Menwer - bull of Ra - skin was covered with gold
Most likely Apis bull - manifestation of Ptah - creator god
Bull lived in a luxurious room in the temple
Only the elite of Egypt were allowed to see the bull through special windows
Some say the bull was born of a ray of light from heaven
Priests drew omens from the bull’s behaviour
When it died, they would mummify the bull
They were following men and not God
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.”
Don’t follow ME! Follow God!
If the people were led by God, they would have waited for God’s timing and trusted in God’s plan.
The reality is, we want a God we can control, not a God who has all control. The greater reality is, any god we create actually has no control.
7 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, for your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves.
They have “turned aside quickly”
They’re ripping right through the Commandments!
God wants a do-over with the people of Israel
He knows they are stubborn
He wants to destroy them and start again with Moses.
11 But Moses implored the Lord his God and said, “O Lord, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, ‘With evil intent did he bring them out, to kill them in the mountains and to consume them from the face of the earth’? Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have promised I will give to your offspring, and they shall inherit it forever.’ ” 14 And the Lord relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people.
15 Then Moses turned and went down from the mountain with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand, tablets that were written on both sides; on the front and on the back they were written.
17 When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is a noise of war in the camp.” 18 But he said, “It is not the sound of shouting for victory, or the sound of the cry of defeat, but the sound of singing that I hear.” 19 And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain. 20 He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it.
21 And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” 22 And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. 23 For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us. 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.’ 24 So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”
The question to ask is “Why is this story here?” What is the main idea that the author Moses, and the Author, God, wants us to see?
We must stand with God or fall with idols.
It is a story many of us are familiar with. It is a story that many of us have experience with.
(For the Israelites) After the salvation experience and before the
We bow to our heart’s desire.
We bow to our heart’s desire.
Though the people were out of Egypt, Egypt was not out of the people.
Acts 7:39 (ESV)
39 Our fathers refused to obey him, but thrust him aside, and in their hearts they turned to Egypt,
The reason we sin is not because sin is in our relationship, at work, or on our phone.
The reason we sin is because sin is in our heart.
The reason you sin is: you desire to sin.
We are shaped by our loves and we are motivated by our desires.
And we desire what we believe is most valuable.
ILLUST - I may say I want to lose weight but my desire to eat what I want is greater than my desire to lose weight.
Why do we sin? Even though we say we want to be a godly person, sometimes our desire for what sin gains seems more valuable.
James 1:14–15 (ESV)
14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
“lured” and “enticed” - hints that our desires may be conscious or subconcious, but despite what we say, our desires motivate us toward what we believe.
Israelites had been conditioned with the idols of Egypt.
For the Israelites, the situation was:
They were confused about what God was doing
Anxious about what was next?
Listening to those around them
They were in a tough place feeling like God was no where around.
They were just through some big changes and just want to relax
These are the prime places for temptation to begin.
Write this down: “When I sin, what I really want is ___________”
control / stability
happiness
pleasure
my own way
Distortion
Distrust
Disobedience
result - cost = my real desire
Ex: Losing weight (8) - getting up early to go to the gym (10) = -2 desire
Suppose Dr. says if I don’t lose weight, I’ll be dead in a year.
Ex: Losing weight to stay alive (12) - getting up early (10) = +2 desire
How do we change our desires? By changing our value system.
How much do you want God in your life? How valuable is Jesus to you?
To be ok with habitual sin in your life puts a very low value on the Son of God.
I would rather lie to avoid getting caught then have Jesus
I would rather look at naked women then have God look at me
I would rather trust the alcohol to keep me emotionally stable than trust the One who made me
I would rather be ok with being good enough than to change for the one who brought me from death to life.
How much do you want God in your life? How valuable is Jesus to you?
Prayer begins the process of change.
Prayer begins the process of change.
Exodus 32:11-14
v 11: But Moses implored . . .
v 11: But Moses implored . . .
v 14: And the LORD relented. . .
v 14: And the LORD relented. . .
Moses Implored
Psalm 106:23 (ESV)
23 Therefore he said he would destroy them— had not Moses, his chosen one, stood in the breach before him, to turn away his wrath from destroying them.
Moses went to God on behalf of the people - he prayed for the people who were in sin.
When Moses prays for the people, what does he appeal to?
“They’re not that bad”
“Don’t destroy them because they are really sorry”
“They promise they won’t do it again”
Moses doesn’t appeal to any past goodness or future (empty) promises of Israel.
He appeals to God’s glory, love, and faithfulness to the covenant he made
Glory
You brought the Israelites out with a “mighty hand.” If you destroy the people here, how will the world see your glory?
Love
Don’t give the Egyptians the satisfaction to say you’re evil by saving your people from Egypt only to kill them in the desert
Faithfulness to the covenant
“Remember Moses. . . you swore by your own self”
Psalm 106:1 (ESV)
1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!
The Message of Exodus: The Days of Our Pilgrimage (b. The Characteristics of Effective Prayer (B1, 2))
“This is always the case and cannot be said too often: God loves because he loves and is faithful because he is faithful. Our whole salvation is of God, beginning, middle and end.”
Ultimately, this intercession happens for us through Jesus:
Hebrews 7:25 (ESV)
25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost (completely / at all times) those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Jesus is greater than Moses, the priest:
Hebrews 7:27 (ESV)
27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.
This intercession is for sin. As you wrestle with your sin JESUS IS PRAYING FOR YOU.
Moses was able to intercede for the people; however, he was not able to truly make atonement for their sin. Moses himself was sinful. God gave grace because Moses interceded while looking forward to the atonement of Jesus.
Excursus: Look at Moses’ compassion. In the following verses, Moses will be angry enough with the Israelites that he will smash the stone tablets, and God offers to wipe out the Israelites and start over with Moses.
Exodus 32:10 (ESV)
10 Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you.”
Sounds like a decent offer to me!
But how do you respond when you see people mired in sin around you? Would you rather they be gone or forgiven?
Moses was honest with what they had done. He didn’t cover up their sin - He called it sin. He then identified with the people and appealed to God’s grace.
Exodus 32:32 (ESV)
32 But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written.”
Is this your attitude toward people around you who consistently sin?
That guy at work who gets under your skin.
The brother / sister who irritates you.
The Democrat. The Republican.
The abortionist.
The LGBTQ community.
Is your attitude one of anger, or a compassion so great you would trade your salvation for theirs?
Romans 9:3 (ESV)
3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
We can call sin sin and still have compassion for the person, interceding for God’s grace on their behalf. Ultimately, each person must confess their own sin and trust in Christ to receive the grace of complete forgiveness but we can, like Moses, “stand in the breach” through prayer - connecting the sinner to God’s grace.
Prayer begins the change.
There can be no compromise with sin.
There can be no compromise with sin.
Compromise = leaving a little or allowing any
Compromising with sin looks like:
Compromising with sin looks like:
Covering the sin
Covering the sin
They waited until Moses was gone
God knew and told Moses - nothing is hidden before the Lord
Blurring the lines
Blurring the lines
They tried to make the cow look ‘holy’
Exodus 32:4–5 (ESV)
4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.”
Ex. I have “righteous anger”
Ravi Zacharias?
Blaming others
Blaming others
Exodus 32:21–22 (ESV)
21 And Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought such a great sin upon them?” 22 And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil.
Ex. It’s not my fault. . .
Excusing yourself
Excusing yourself
Exodus 32:24 (ESV)
24 So I said to them, ‘Let any who have gold take it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf.”
You can never compromise with sin - you must always confess it.
1 John 1:9 (ESV)
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Holiness at any cost is always worth the cost.
To be sure, I struggle with v25-28. It sure seems harsh!
Exodus 32:25–28 (ESV)
25 And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), 26 then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. 27 And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’ ” 28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell.
“Broken Loose” is not a term meaning they are having a dance party. Instead, it has sexual overtones — they were having an orgy.
“The Israelites had made a blood covenant with God, in which they had promised not to make any idols or have any other gods. Once they broke these commandments, their lives were forfeit. God had every right to put them all to death. If we have trouble understanding this, it is because we do not understand what a wicked thing it is to worship other gods.”
— Ryken, Exodus: Saved for God’s Glory
There is grace here in that while 3,000 people dying is always a tragedy, it was ONLY 3,000 (half of one percent of only the male population)
It was not women and children
likely the instigators
But still costly. It still hurt. It was still hard. And it was still worth it!!
God has not called us to take up a sword against sinners around us today, but he has called us to cut out the sin in our own lives with the same tenacity.
The grace and love of God is not in opposition to the fiery holiness of God.
ILLUST - my love for my family will find me fiery to anything that wants to do them harm.
If this doesn’t happen, the glory and presence won’t come.
We don’t need behavior modification. We need heart transformation.
we must be intentional with our desire, tenacious in our pursuit of holiness, unflinching with the cost
ILLUST - bump in the night means an elbow in the ribs
If you are an intruder, you will not make it to those closest to my heart without a fight.
How many Christians today know there is a ‘bump’ in their soul, feel the elbow of the Holy Spirit. . . and continue to sleep. Do you?
You know the sin God has brought to your mind, but you are unsure if you are able to conquer it, or if you really want to.
It is time to stand between the intruder and your heart and fight.
If you are here today, and you know God is speaking to YOU, do not lull your soul to sleep, do not return to what is comfortable. Do not hide in the pew, do not put it off, do not compromise.
There are confessions and intercessions that need to happen today!
If you are not willing to step forward into it, then you don’t really want it.
The question of Moses remains the same for you today,
“Who is on the LORD’s side?”
*PRAY*
Benediction
Psalm 106:47–48 (ESV)
47 Save us, O Lord our God, and gather us from among the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. 48 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting! And let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord!