ISRAEL DESCENDS INTO IDOLATRY-DEEPER LIFE ADULTS SEARCH

Lessen 57

Last week we examined the Institution of the Priesthood, and today we consider Israel Descends into Idolatry.

 MEMORY VERSE: “Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, who is on the LORD’S side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him“ (Exodus 32:26).

TEXT: Exodus 32:1-35; 33:1-23 

Israel’s journey from to Canaan witnessed many temptations, trials, triumphs and setbacks. The setbacks were occasioned by their constant disobedience to the commandments of God. The account in our text represents one of their several misadventures and the idolatrous tendencies, which lurked in their hearts. While Moses was away to the mount to receive the law, the people mounted pressure on Aaron to make a god for them to worship. The action earned them divine judgment. Though Moses interceded on their behalf, many of them died and went to their early graves.

God detests idolatry in any form and warns that He would not share His glory with anyone. “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images” (Isaiah 42:8).

The two chapters that make up our text offer lessons to contemporary Christian leaders and members to abhor idolatry in every form. Our allegiance and service should be to the true and living God only. He would not entertain rivalry in our worship or service but demands wholehearted commitment and devotion. The texts also highlight the conditional spiritual security of God’s people. He says, “...Whosoever, hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book” (Exodus 32:33).

1.ISRAEL’S ERROR OF MAKING AND WORSHIPING IDOLS

Exodus 32:1-6; 20:3,4; Leviticus 26: 1; Deuteronomy 9:8-16; 7:25; Psalms 106:19-22; 115:48; 135:15-18; Isaiah 40: 19,20; 44:9-20; 45:20, Jeremiah 10:5, Acts 1 Corinthians 10:7

Moses the servant of God had gone to the mount to receive the law written with the finger of God. While he tarried in His presence, the children of Israel became apprehensive and said to Aaron, “…Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man brought us up of the land of Egypt, that we wot not what is become of Him” (Exodus 32:1). Sadly, Aaron succumbed to their pressure and became an accessory to sin to provoke the Lord to anger. Rather than reject their request, he facilitated their downward journey into idolatry. Israel’s unholy request was in clear violation of the first commandment God gave them concerning idolatry. In Exodus 20:3,4, He say, ‘’ Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”

Idolatry is evil in all ramifications and exposes humanity’s folly and weakness. Its practice denies

one the existence of the only true and living God (Isaiah people who recognise and serve idols have by their deed denied that God is alive.

Two, it dishonours the One who is Governor over the whole earth (Psalm 22:28).

Three, idol worship devalues our being from the image of God we were created into.

Four, those who lay claim beside the Almighty, demeans God’s mightiest force on earth and in heaven Isaiah 40:28).

Five, idolatry damns it’s in eternal perdition.

Six, to make or is the height of foolishness, idiocy and thoughtlessness.

Various references to acts of idol worship in the Scriptures portray the worshipers as lacking in understanding, wisdom and common-sense and (Psalms 115:8; 135:18).

Seven, being inanimate incapable of moving, talking, hearing, smelling or eating, idol-worship must be denounced in all its ramifications.

For succumbing to the unholy requests from the children of Israel, Aaron was an example of weak leadership, which begets compromising laity. He failed as a leader for his inability to exert his spiritual authority and prevent the people from going astray. Every leader called by God into the ministry should be strong and courageous to defend God’s glory and declare His word without fear, favour or intimidation (Joshua 1:7). To yield to pressure from people or society and lower the standard of God’s word, is to invite God’s frown because He does not condone idolatry or hide His displeasure against those who persist in evil. “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness“ (Romans 1:18).

Consequently, the Lord was angry with the people and determined   to destroy them, but for Moses’ prayer and plea.

2. INTERCESSION FOR PARDON AND FORGIVENESS

Exodus 32:7-25; 30-35;  Numbers 14:11-20; 16:45-48, Deuteronomy 9:18-20; Psalm 106:19-23; Genesis 18:2233; Luke 13:6-9; James 5:16

Israel incurred God’s displeasure because they went into idolatry. He expressed this as He rejected and referred to them as “thy people“. As punishment for their sins, He proposed to destroy them and make out of Moses a great nation. But Moses stepped in to avert God’s fierce anger against the sinning idolatrous Israelites. “And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?“ (Exodus 32: 11).

Moses understood the power and efficacy of intercession early and he utilised God was poised took it upon himself not be destroyed Deuteronomy children of God, behalf of our nation. Our prevent calamities and usher people. Moses responded Rather than he called on God rather be removed  in his ministry to the children of Israel privilege on several occasions when to punish the people for their sin. He to pray for them so that they would (Numbers 14:11-20; 16:46-48; 9:18-20; Psalm 106:23). As leaders and we have the privilege to intercede on families, organisation,

denomination or intercessory prayer will go a long way to befalling individuals, families, nations into the kingdom of God.

Moses responded in a way that is very instructive. surrender to the divine verdict on Israel, for mercy and pardon. Moses would from God’s book than have Israel wiped off the earth and replaced with his own descendants. God hearkened to his plea and ...repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people” (Exodus 32:14). The church needs leaders who can stand in the gap between an offended God and offending sinners and backsliders. Through prayers of intercession, people can be saved, sanctified, healed, delivered and set free from bondage to the flesh and reconciled with the Lord.In order have to an be eye effective on the intercessors, glory of God, we maintain must be selfless, consistent, holy relationship with Him, be full of faith and the Holy Ghost, and be sincere and passionate about the spiritual welfare of others. These qualities are found in many intercessors in the Bible like Abraham: he interceded for Ishmael (Genesis 17: 18) and for Sodom adaption of the Jews, his kinsmen in the flesh (Romans 10: 1); and Epaphras was a notable intercessor for the early churches (Colossians 4: 12, 13). Believers are exhorted to get involved in intercessory prayers for all men and those in positions leadership (Isaiah 2:1-4). Our Lord Jesus, the great Intercessor and Holy Spirit are also interceding for believers (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26,34).

Whatever excuse Aaron offered was at best flimsy and accused of stripping the people naked (Exodus 32;25). Many people act like Aaron. They others or Satan for their sin.

After denouncing Israel’s sin, Moses offered them make a decision to be on the renounce sin, forsake the camp to God’s side. The tribe of Levi seized the opportunity and recommitted themselves to the Lord. They were spared the sword of judgment that killed about three thousand souls. There is hope of averting God’s judgment for penitent sinners and backsliders (Isaiah 55:7; Proverbs 28:13).

3. INDICTMENT, PENITENCE AND GOD’S FAVOUR: Exodus 33: 1-23; Deuteronomy 9:6; 10:16; 2 7:23,24; 2 Chronicles 7:13; Psalm 34: 18; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10.

Upon the declaration of His resolve to deal with all sinning persons(Exodus 32:33,34), the Lord the people to resume their Israel as “a stiff-necked people” paints the picture of a people bent on doing their own will He said, “…I will not go up in the midst of thee; for thou art a stiffnecked people: lest I consume thee in the way’’ (Exodus 33:3). However, this indication is not only limited to Israel, but it is the unregenerate human nature, which lies at the root of every rebellion against God’s commandment.

It is instructive to examine some of the losses Israel suffered as a result of their idolatry.

First, their prematurely aborted. The joy and blessing anticipated were lost as Israel must go on in their journey without Him.

Second, God’s command to Moses to ‘’ depart and go up hence, thou and the people which thou brought up out of the land of Egypt’’, suggest an abandonment of the people into the hand of Moses.

This downgrades their comfort and security, for no person, however devout or righteous, can take the place of God.

Third, although God still assured to uphold His promise to give them the Promised Land, He denied them the peculiar comfort and assurance of His divine presence, which they had enjoyed. They were to continue the journey with the presence of a guardian angel. One of the greatest punishments God metes out for the sin of any people, assembly or individual, is the withdrawal of His presence (Joshua 7:10-12).

“And when the people heard these evil tidings, they mourned: and no man did put on him his ornaments“ (Exodus 33:4). The people were filled with fear and contrition, and in expression of these, they stripped themselves of their ornaments as God had instructed (Exodus 33:5). Some Bible commentators say that the act of removal of bodily ornaments was a common way of expressing sorrow in the Middle East culture. Today among all who lay claim to contribute and repentance, God also looks  show mercy (Matthew 3:8).

“And Moses took the tabernacle, and pitched it without the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the Tabernacle of the congregation. And it came to pass, that every one which sought the Lord went out unto the tabernacle of the congregation, which was without the camp.“ (Exodus 33:7). By removing tabernacle to the precincts of the camp, Moses intended  to lead the people to a fuller recognition of their separation from God and the need to seek Him, if their repentance was genuine. It was also to awaken a hunger for the restoration of the covenant in their minds. The people looked on with deep reverence there in whenever Moses went into the tabernacle and bowed adoration before the Lord in front of their tents when they saw the pillar of cloud come down on the tent and stand before the door.

While still basking in divine favour, Moses used the opportunity to request to be shown God’s glory. He wanted a higher revelation of God than he had known.

His request received divine acceptance when God said, …..I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy” (Exodus 33:19). In granting Moses’ request, the Lord moderated it by permitting only such limited vision of His glory as a mortal person’s weakness could withstand. That the Lord acceded to Moses’ desire teaches us to seek closer and more intimate walk with God not withstanding our experiences with Him in the past; even if it means putting us “in a Clift of the rock“, so that we can withstand it. Paul the apostle earnestly prayed: “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philippians 3: 10). There are higher heights, deeper depths and greater revelations to attain if we walk consistently, committedly   and completely with Him. He is willing to reveal more of His power, grace and glory to those who walk uprightly.

Questions for review for this topic on Israel Descends into Idolatry:

1.What do we learn from Israel’s descent into idolatry?

2.What is the danger of impatience and how can we avoid impatient actions?

3.Why is it important to have leaders in the church with strong convictions?

4.Mention some intercessors in the Bible and identify some of their qualities that are worthy of emulation.

5.What does it mean to be on the Lord’s side and what are the consequences of remaining in sin?

6.What is the significance of the removal of the tabernacle of the congregation?

7.How can we enrich our spiritual experiences with the Lord?

To Read this post of Israel Descends into Idolatry in French Click here