Yes, we are getting to part two this week.
Before we do, thank you for your prayers over the last week.
Last Tuesday, a coworker asked about my stress level regarding the upcoming conference we are hosting at my work.
I responded, “Frankly, I couldn’t care less right now.”
Granted, that response stemmed from what I shared with you last Sunday.
But by Wednesday, I realized my attitude had shifted in a positive direction. The new attitude is that this conference is just another work week.
- Yes, there will be 1500 people on our campus over the next week that typically aren’t there.
- Yes, I am tasked with things to do that are not a part of my normal work responsibilities that will involve extremely long hours each day.
- And yes, I still have moments of sadness over the pet losses and some other expected losses that are looming on the horizon.
But, in the end, my purpose for next week does not differ from any other day.
What is that purpose and is it possible to relate it to today’s study?
Why Did They Turn to Idolatry? | Quick Recap of Part One
Three weeks ago, we first considered the definitions of patience and idolatry.
Next, we reviewed several passages from Exodus 4-19 to consider how different people and groups practiced patience.
There were Moses and Aaron, the Israelites as a community, Pharaoh, and the Egyptians as a community examples of patience, or lack of patience, to consider.
The Israelites experienced the LORD’s power, protection, guidance, provision, and yes, patience throughout these chapters.
Yet, each time they came to a challenging moment in their temporal experiences, they became grumbly hateful and forgot all that the LORD had done and was still doing for them.
Why Did They Turn to Idolatry? | Happenings at Mount Sinai
At the beginning of Exodus 19, the Israelites had arrived at Mount Sinai where Moses began going up and down the mountain to receive instructions for the Israelites from the LORD.
Review what the LORD tells Moses at the start of this chapter.
The Lord called to [Moses] out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” [1]
What did the LORD remind Moses, and the people of Israel, about himself?
After Moses shares these words from the LORD with the people of Israel, they respond,
8 All the people answered together and said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And Moses reported the words of the people to the Lord.[2]
The LORD responds by instructing Moses and the Israelites to prepare themselves for Him to come down on Mount Sinai in a dense cloud in the sight of all the people. (Exodus 19:9-11)
Consider the following sight the people experienced.
18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. [3]
As the Israelites trembled from this fiery, smoky appearance of the LORD (Exodus 19:16), Moses was instructed to go down to get Aaron (Exodus 19:24).
The LORD then issues the ten commandments and many other instructions for Moses and Aaron to give to the Israelites. (Exodus 20-23)
In Exodus 24, Moses is back at the bottom of the mountain with the Israelites to confirm the covenant, or agreement, between the Israelites and the LORD.
Immediately following this, the LORD called Moses to go back up the mountain to receive the tablets of stone which the LORD had inscribed all the instructions for the people. (Exodus 24:12)
Consider what the Israelites saw as Moses ascended the mountain again.
17 Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. 18 Moses entered the cloud and went up on the mountain. And Moses was on the mountain forty days and forty nights. [4]
Describe the possible immediate reactions of the people of Israel who saw Moses ascend into this cloud of devouring fire on Mount Sinai.
How might Moses’ delay in returning impact their reactions?
Why Did They Turn to Idolatry? | Application for Us Today
Review the passage from Exodus 19 below.
The Lord called to [Moses] out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” [5]
What purpose did the LORD give the Israelites in these verses?
One purpose I see is that they are witnesses to the LORD delivering them from their time of slavery in Egypt.
This implies to me they are not only to remember this for their own encouragement, but they are to share with others what the LORD did for them.
What experiences of the LORD’s powerful deliverance have you had?
Do you share with others about this? Why or why not?
Go back and read verse five above.
Explain the significance of the phrase, “for all the earth is mine”, considering the purpose the LORD gave the Israelites and us today from verse five.
May I also submit the scripture, Eph 3:14-21, I asked you to pray for and with me last week as my, and all believer’s daily purpose?
Just as the Israelites were instructed to obey the LORD’s voice and keep His covenant, we, today bow our knees before the LORD, our heavenly Father.
It is His glory that descended upon Mount Sinai before the Israelites that strengthens us within our inner being to be rooted and grounded in love for each day He gives us.
No matter what the circumstances we are facing, He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.
This is our purpose as believers in the LORD and His Son Jesus Christ.
I see my week to come as an opportunity to celebrate another work week of being the LORD’s witness and faithful servant.
When I say, “it’s just another work week”, I’m not being negative. Instead, I’m saying my perspective is now aligned to recognize that I have a purpose that transcends my circumstances. And what an amazing purpose it is!
Thank you for being there for me in prayer this past week.
Please continue to do so and I will do the same for you.
And yes, you are correct. We still need to answer the question of Why Did They Turn to Idolatry.
Part three is coming…patience…I do not believe you will have to wait forty days and nights… Giggling!
What other thoughts do you have on patience and purpose as a believer?
What does the picture of puzzle pieces for part one and now a snail on a wall for part two have to do with the contents of the posts? Leave a comment!
Blessings,
Barbara Lynn
[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 19:3–6.
[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 19:8.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 19:18–20.
[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 24:17–18.
[5] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 19:3–6.