Articles
How Soon We Forget
“…Come, make us a god who will go before us…” (Ex. 32:1)
“What have you done for me lately?” That is the sad mentality held by many, whether one will admit it or not. The enticement of instant gratification has consumed a great number, a truth seen even in the Scriptures. Solomon wrote, “What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” (Ecc. 1:9). History repeats itself over and over. Sadly, human nature has not changed since the introduction of sin. According to God’s Word, many will seek to do things their own way.
The attitude of the Israelites during the exodus is one of many examples in which people quickly abandon righteousness. After being led out of Egypt, Israel came to receive the commandments of the Lord at Mount Sinai. The Israelites in Ex. 24:7 said, “All the words which the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!” No sooner had those words been uttered from their mouths, they failed to keep their vow (cf. Ex. 32:1ff; Deut. 9:12ff).
God had instructed the people that they were not to worship anything or anyone but the Lord Himself. This included not making any image for worship as an idol (cf. Ex. 20:3ff). Scriptures further declare how foolish people are as to create such fake, lifeless objects that are used for idolatrous worship (cf. Isa. 44:9ff). It makes you wonder, “Do we still create gods today?” (e.g., cell phones). Just because time has passed and there may no longer be golden calves constructed, it doesn’t mean that there are still not idols in our lives.
One can imagine Moses throwing his hands up in the air, flabbergasted, at the behavior of the “children” of Israel. Children can be told not to do something and then turn right around and do it. Sometimes adults are no better. They can be just as disobedient and immature. That is why it is so essential for proper instruction and accountability for our actions!
It is hard to fathom that a people that had just been released, or better yet SAVED, from a terrible bondage, were so willing to submit to another type of oppression—sin. They had previously seen the glorious works of the Lord and should have known that God would always keep His promise of bringing the people into the land of promise. Unfortunately, no sooner were the Israelites delivered from Egypt, they strived against the Lord and Moses (cf. Ex. 14:10f; Num. 14:22; Deut. 9:7f).
One could play devil’s advocate and say, “But shouldn’t the people have a right to act the way they did?” NO! God had spoken in His word that the people would suffer for more than 400 years, but would be delivered (cf. Gen. 15:13ff). Furthermore, things do not happen according to our ways or our timetables. The Lord always has the best interest of everyone; He always has the best plans in place for everyone (cf. Isa. 55:8f; Lam. 3:25f; Rom. 8:28).
Solomon wrote, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Prov. 3:5-6). When we make the decision to take our own path rather than the path of God, it will inevitably lead to our destruction (cf. Prov. 14:12). So instead of striving against the Lord, which is a losing battle, let us all the more seek to know Him. Seek the path that leads to heaven.
There are times when it can be difficult to remember how much we have been blessed. When our minds and hearts can’t seem to focus upon what God has done, we forget who He is and who we are meant to be. Please remember that the Lord desires all to be forgiven, because He wants to forget and forgive all our sins (cf. Psa. 103:12). What a wonderful gift! We must be willing to receive it.
