Why is it important to remember to give thanks?
Looking up the word thanks led me to the word gratitude.
In turn, looking up the word gratitude led me to the word grateful.
The definition of grateful then led me back to the words gratitude and thanks.
Oh, the fun of the English language.
Seriously, why is it important to remember to give thanks, express gratitude, and be grateful?
And what does this have to do with Exodus 32:1-8?
Remembering to Give Thanks | Exodus 32:1-8 | Understanding the Passage
This passage of scripture is an example of what can happen when we forget to give thanks to God.
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.”[1]
Without looking at what transpired before Exodus 32:1, what does this verse reveal as the primary reason the people asked Aaron to make them some gods?
Aaron was Moses’ older brother. (Exodus 4:14)
Because Moses tried to get out of his assignment from the Lord, Aaron became the spokesperson. (Exodus 4:15-16)
As Moses and Aaron revealed the Lord’s plans to rescue the Israelites from the Egyptians, their elders initially embraced the idea. (Exodus 4:29-31)
Then things got harder with more stringent forced labor from the Egyptian ruler and multiple plagues sent by God that affected both the Egyptians and the Israelites. (Exodus 5-8:15)
Thankfully, starting with the plague of flies in Exodus 8:22, God distinguished between the Israelites and the Egyptians.
22 But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where my people dwell, so that no swarms of flies shall be there, that you may know that I am the Lord in the midst of the earth. 23 Thus I will put a division between my people and your people. Tomorrow this sign shall happen.” ’ ” 24 And the Lord did so.[2]
Not only this plague but also the plague on livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and finally the plague on the firstborn were experienced by the Egyptians but not the Israelites. (Exodus 9-12:49)
50 All the people of Israel did just as the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron. 51 And on that very day the Lord brought the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their hosts. [3]
After the Israelites survived the crossing of the sea under the angry pursuit of the Egyptians (Exodus 13:17-14:30), we are told:
31 Israel saw the great power that the Lord used against the Egyptians, so the people feared the Lord, and they believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. [4]
Continuing their journey, the Lord provided water, manna, and quail for the Israelites. (Exodus 15:22-17:7)
Announcing His presence under cover of thunder and lighting at Mount Sinai, the Lord stated the following to Moses:
“Thus you shall say to the people of Israel: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have talked with you from heaven. 23 You shall not make gods of silver to be with me, nor shall you make for yourselves gods of gold.[5]
But now, in Exodus 32, this is exactly what they ask Aaron to do. Read how Aaron responded to their request.
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!”[6]
What actions did Aaron take?
Sadly, Aaron’s failure as a leader went even further.
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. [7]
Why would Aaron take these repulsive actions? (Review Exodus 32:1 for clues)
The Israelites grew impatient waiting for Moses to return from spending time on the mountain alone with the true God who had saved them from the land of Egypt. (Exodus 24:18 and 32:1)
Aaron, fearing the people he was called to lead, failed to remind the Israelites who had truly saved them from the land of Egypt and enabled them to cast aside the covenant they had all agreed to a mere forty days earlier to worship a man-made object. (Exodus 24:18)
Both the people and Aaron failed to remember their true God deserves thanks, gratitude, and gratefulness.
Meanwhile, the Lord alerts Moses of the Israelite’s failure.
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. 8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them. They have made for themselves a golden calf and have worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!’ ”[8]
What is the Lord’s assessment of the Israelites in the above verses?
Remembering to Give Thanks | Exodus 32:1-8 | Personal Application
The Israelites in the book of Exodus had experienced many tangible acts of God.
Yet, they were quick to turn away from worshiping God only, as commanded. (Exodus 32:8)
Their impatience with Moses being gone for forty days and nights (Exodus 24:18 and 32:1) was not an acceptable excuse for this failure in God’s eyes. (Exodus 32:7)
Describe a time you were impatient and ignored God’s commands to live for Him alone.
What happened because of your impatience?
How did God show you grace and forgiveness when you returned to His commands to live for Him alone?
Based on today’s study, why is remembering to give thanks, gratitude, or gratefulness to the Lord important?
What one thing can you thank God for today?
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.[9]
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 32:1.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 8:22–24.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 12:50–51.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 14:31.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 20:22–23.
[6] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 32:2–4.
[7] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 32:5–6.
[8] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 32:7–8.
[9] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Th 5:16–18.