iPray: 1 Corinthians 10: 7-8

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”  We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.  2 Corinthians 10: 7-8

Last week I made a bit of fun of the Israelites cows.  This week is no better, though instead of actual livestock, we're talking about cows of a golden variety.  This time the Israelites request Aaron make them gods to "go before them" (Exodus 32:1) because Moses was taking too long to come down from the mountain.  In a moment (of panic?  of impatience?  of craving?) they exchange God, who has proven to be their provider and sustainer, for a golden cow fashioned for them by Aaron out of their collective jewelry.  Not only that, they give credit to the golden cow as being the one that brought them out of Egypt.  What?  Even God, when talking with Moses, discusses how quickly they did this.  "They have turned aside quickly out of the way that I commanded them (Exodus 32:8a)." 

The Bible has a lot to say about revelry/indulging/idolatry.  It's a big deal when we place other things above God.  There is no substitute for Him.

There's really no better way to say it than to just let Scripture speak for itself. 

In Jonah 2:8 we read how "Those that cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs." 

Forfeit grace?  For something worthless?  No thanks. 

Well said.  Ouch. 

In Jeremiah 2:5-6 we read

This is what the Lord says:

“What fault did your ancestors find in me,
    that they strayed so far from me?
They followed worthless idols
    and became worthless themselves.
 They did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord,
    who brought us up out of Egypt
and led us through the barren wilderness,
    through a land of deserts and ravines,
a land of drought and utter darkness,
    a land where no one travels and no one lives?’

 

They became worthless themselves.... They did not ask...

 

Well said.  Ouch.

 

Think on a time where panic, impatience, or craving "won out" over trust in God.  In the Israelites moment of waiting for Moses to return down the mountain, they would have been better served praying to their steadfast, trustworthy God, rather than simply jump ship, discard the previous ways in which God came through for them, and worship their golden calf. 

Psalm 115 might just be a great Psalm to pray through in your moment, whatever it may be, when you're waiting for God to act, and the panic, impatience, and cravings start to speak louder than the character and actions of God.  This Psalm puts the power/benefit/use of idols (nothing) in perspective to God (capable of everything...)

 

Psalm

115 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory,
    for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!

² Why should the nations say,
    “Where is their God?”
³ Our God is in the heavens;
    he does all that he pleases.

⁴ Their idols are silver and gold,
    the work of human hands.
⁵ They have mouths, but do not speak;
    eyes, but do not see.
⁶ They have ears, but do not hear;
    noses, but do not smell.
⁷ They have hands, but do not feel;
    feet, but do not walk;
    and they do not make a sound in their throat.
⁸ Those who make them become like them;
    so do all who trust in them.

⁹ O Israel,^[a] trust in the Lord!
    He is their help and their shield.
¹⁰ O house of Aaron, trust in the Lord!
    He is their help and their shield.
¹¹ You who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord!
    He is their help and their shield.

¹² The Lord has remembered us; he will bless us;
    he will bless the house of Israel;
    he will bless the house of Aaron;
¹³ he will bless those who fear the Lord,
    both the small and the great.

¹⁴ May the Lord give you increase,
    you and your children!
¹⁵ May you be blessed by the Lord,
    who made heaven and earth!

¹⁶ The heavens are the Lord's heavens,
    but the earth he has given to the children of man.
¹⁷ The dead do not praise the Lord,
    nor do any who go down into silence.
¹⁸ But we will bless the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore.
Praise the Lord!

 

PoC|Coverage is tonight, 6-8pm.  Come join us as we pray through and care for needs both near and far!

 

Pastor Celia