Today’s Reading: Ex. 32:1 – 34:35

Do you find 40 days is a really long time? The Israelites thought so – “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain”. 430 years is a long time, but not 40 days! What do you think? Then, Aaron who was the mouth-piece for the God’s plan, actually agreed and helped people out by creating an idol. Let’s stop here and think about this situation. The Israelites stayed in Egypt for 430 years, where many gods were worshiped. They are out of Egypt, but Egypt was still in their lifestyle and thoughts — you cannot change within 2 months, when you have habits and lifestyle for over 400 years. So let’s give them a slack on this one, unless you can change your daily habit or hangup overnight!

I love the next passage! God said “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.” I must say that I find it funny that the “bad” Israelites are Moses’ people, not God’s people. I thought they were God’s people whom God brought them out of Egypt. But, here God said they were Moses’ people! Then, he went on to say “I may destroy them. Then, I will make you into a great nation.” Sound familiar? Yeah, that’s what he told Abraham! It is a good thing that Moses remembered it and reminded God ever gently. I find Moses amazing in this part because this is after people grumbled against Moses for so many times. I mean, he is saved anyway, since God proposes to make him a great nation. But, Moses interceded on behalf of the Israelites and pleaded for their lives to God.

Then, Moses were really angry! Did you see what he made the Israelites do? “he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountains. And he took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it” Wow! He is angry.

Here comes Aaron – it is the people, not me! Wow, he blamed upon the Israelites instead of taking his own responsibility! Blame — “Be” Lame is how I read it!

Moses then again pleaded for his people. The Lord does not destroy people, but he struck the people with a plague for their sin. Then, God repeats “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt… But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way” – oh, no! God is not with them…. They are in trouble. Moses then does not give up and stays and keeps asking God’s presence. Finally the Lord replies “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest”. He goes on saying “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Way to go, Moses!

The Lord made another covenant with Moses at the end of the passage – “I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any national in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord will do for you”

Congratulation, everyone! You have made the full one month of reading the Bible daily!