SCRIPTURE: Exodus 32
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Jesus answered, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. [Luke 13:2-3].
There is a time for mercy, and a time for judgment [see Ecclesiastes 3:1-8].
Although Jesus represents the grace of God, He also makes it clear that eventually, if we do not repent, we too will perish.
God was patient with Israel through their wilderness journey.
Another word for patience is long-suffering.
Paul talks about the unlimited patience of God [1 Timothy 1:16], though a better translation of the word ‘unlimited’ is extensive or broad.
God’s merciful patience is amazing, but it does not last forever.
It is for a purpose, to lead people to repentance [Romans 2:4-5].
Eventually our stubborn refusal to come to our senses, to change our mind (the lit meaning of the word ‘repent’) about God and ourselves, will bring us to judgment.
This is what happens in Exodus 32.
God finally unleashes His justice against the immorality of the people.
The Levites did not randomly kill 3000 people; rather, they killed those who continued to engage in lewd, gross, immoral behaviour [running wild, out of control, Exodus 33:25] AFTER Moses came down, smashed the tablets and destroyed the idol.
It seems that some people just refuse to get it.
We also see the mercy of God in this.
Moses intervenes on behalf of the people, pleading for God to relent.
The fascinating thing is that this word ‘relent’ is the same word as ‘repent’, to change one’s mind, one’s direction.
God repents, God relents, God is merciful!
He gives us another chance.
How often, 77 times [Matthew 18:22], a number signifying the extensive, broad grace of God.
But one day, if we remain stubborn, if we persevere in rejecting God’s message, if we continue to live selfishly, immorally, then one day, the sword of judgment will fall.
Right now we are in the day of mercy, the season of repentance, where Jesus is tending to our roots, working to produce good fruit in us.
But if we do not change, if we do not produce the fruit of repentance, then God will uproot the vine [Luke 13:1-9].
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You for this season of mercy. Help me to not be stubborn and refuse to repent and change the direction of my life.
The people had experienced what the Lord God had done for them and yet they quickly forgot and went their own way. The miracles that had just happened were forgotten. Their focus was on themselves.
Praise God for His champions who stand in the gap. God does raise up leaders who commune with Him and lead the people.
I enjoy special Christian calendar days because they force e also to remember what the Lord God has done for me in my life. All too often I think that I am the king of the castle, but He is. I too am stiff necked, looking after my own interests and not His. Thank You Lord that Christ Jesus stands in the gap. I need to ‘dress’ myself with ‘the fruit of the Spirit’ each day so that I am a living example to those around me. I need to see You each day.
My heart needs to be turned to ‘home’ so that I will not be cut off the vine, but stay ingrafted to the trunk. That way I can keep the main thing the main thing – living for Jesus – and they will know we are Christians by our love.
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
We will work with each other, we will work side by side
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love
By our love, by our love
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love
They will know we are Christians by our love