September 23, 2014
Today’s reading from Encounter with God

When God Seems Far Away

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Opening Prayer

Powerful Lord, You shape the stars, yet comfort my broken heart. I want to be nourished today by Your Word.

Read Exodus 32:25-33:6

[25] Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. [26] So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. [27] Then he said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.'” [28] The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died. [29] Then Moses said, “You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and he has blessed you this day.” [30] The next day Moses said to the people, “You have committed a great sin. But now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.” [31] So Moses went back to the LORD and said, “Oh, what a great sin these people have committed! They have made themselves gods of gold. [32] But now, please forgive their sin-but if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” [33] The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me I will blot out of my book. [34] Now go, lead the people to the place I spoke of, and my angel will go before you. However, when the time comes for me to punish, I will punish them for their sin.” [35] And the LORD struck the people with a plague because of what they did with the calf Aaron had made. [1] Then the LORD said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ [2] I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. [3] Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way.” [4] When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. [5] For the LORD had said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you.'” [6] So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb.

Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Reflect

“Put to death in you that which cannot be improved in your goal of following Christ. Real change depends on this” (Frank D. Macchia). Where would you like to see change?

he sin of the Israelites continues. They are unrestrained, endangering themselves and others, a laughing-stock among the nations. The honor of God’s name is at stake, and he cannot abide with them in their present state. Rather, the Levites, Moses’ own tribe, must carry out a bloody judgment, with 3,000 slain by their swords. For our modern sensibilities this smacks of vengeful anger. No wonder atheists excoriate such practices.

In one sense they are right. If the Israelites were obedient to God’s instructions and receptive to his loving guidance, no punishment would be necessary, but the damage has been done and, although God has given his word to Moses that he will not abandon his people, choose another or fail to lead them into the land of Canaan, his anger still smolders against them and he is alienated from them. What has light to do with darkness (John 1:6; 2 Cor. 6:14)? They must take off their handsome clothing as a sign of repentance. Today at the Day of Atonement Jewish people similarly do not wear leather shoes, symbolizing their rejection of earthly comforts in pursuit of forgiveness of sins.

Atheists do not understand the underlying compassion and mercy of God. Punishment is not motivated by a desire for revenge but is an act of discipline, purification, renewal and change that deeply affects the life of God’s people. Israel will never forget the discipleship training she receives in the wilderness. Beneath the punishment and judgment, the bond of an intimate relationship between God and his people remains intact, even strengthened, just as in the early days of a marriage, conflict and quarrels cement the bond and teach lessons of faithfulness and devotion. Unfortunately neither Israel nor churches today are perfect–these are lessons we never stop learning.

Apply

How would you have responded to the call in verse 26? What does it mean for you to be “for” the Lord? What risks would that entail where you live?

Closing prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for a soft heart that is molded by the Holy Spirit. Forgive my willfulness and grant me a desire to be wholly devoted to You.

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