AT THE FOOT OF SINAI ...
So as the story goes in the Book of Exodus, chapter 32, the Israelites have become quite impatient, waiting on Moses to descend from Mount Sinai. Actually, it’s easy for us to understand the impatience they experienced, after all, we too become very impatient in life and many times offer “knee-jerk” reactions because of our impatience. As you remember, at this point in Israel’s history, they had been rescued by God from the Egyptians and had witnessed some of the most phenomenal miracles documented in Scripture. There was the parting of the Red Sea and all of the plagues that God brought upon the Egyptians in order to have the Israelites released from captivity. Once released, they had a great deal to celebrate, and the future for them looked exceedingly bright, but alas, our old adversary “impatience” had come to roost in the camp at the base of Mt. Sinai.
If you remember, Moses had led the Israelites to this place at God’s instructions. There, they waited at the bottom of the mountain in camps while their leader, Moses, climbed the mountain in order to commune with God. This was not Moses abandoning his people, but rather, at God’s direction Moses was going to receive further instructions. Sometimes, God wants His people to wait, and to wait patiently, in faith and trust, and without wandering into places that will lead us astray.
This aspect of human nature, to become impatient and do things on our own, is one of the great deterrents of faith that we have to overcome in order to remain faithful to the truth of God. It’s hard to remember that God does things in different ways and timings than we do. His timing is perfect, and our timing we usually “think” is perfect. So, when we become impatient with God, we many times subconsciously institute plans to “carry on” for God, rather than patiently waiting, seeking His voice, wisdom and instruction.
At this point in their history, the Israelites are gathered at the base of Mount Sinai waiting for Moses to descend and continue to lead them into the promised Land. But like waiting for Congress to pass a bill, or, a phone call from a doctor regarding a diagnosis, they became “antsy!” There is something about the human mind that puts limitations on God and what He’s doing, all brought about by our impatience! “Surely, He must be ready to proceed by now! I’ve waited so long and we’ve got to get started!”
Moses was not alone though, he had a brother who was with him on this journey, and his name was Aaron. Aaron was chosen by God along with Moses to see the Israelites out of Egypt. He was to aid his brother Moses in all that God had called him to do. But when the people became impatient at the base of Sinai, he caved into their desire to have some form of God’s presence to worship. Maybe this was meant to be a good thing, or maybe it was complete idolatry, there are various trains of thought on this subject today. Regardless of the original intent, what they did has gone into the history books as a tremendous “fail!” God was not honored, but dishonored!
With that, it brings us to the ultimate question for our day: “Are we honoring God in the world today, or, are we dishonoring Him?” “Have we grown impatient with God as His timing and ways have come into question, or are we substituting something else in His place?”
Just like the actions of the Israelites didn’t happen overnight, the same exist in our lives today. Are we tired of God telling us things that do not line up with the current culture? Have we chosen our understanding and wisdom over God’s, that seems to be “antiquated?” Are we now like the Israelites, worshipping things of our own choice, as opposed to honoring the things God has ordained, as well as Him as Creator God?
Such is what I see in the United Methodist Church today. We have become a people of division, not unity, anxious to do things our way! We are no longer of one mind when it comes to God, and His statutes. In essence, we have become like the Israelites, impatient with God and His accountability in the world. We have taken His precepts and manipulated them into a form that both satisfies our understand of God’s laws, as well as what the culture deems as acceptable and worthwhile. Consequently, our focus has moved from “following” God without question, trusting in His ways and will and having a primary responsibility to share the Gospel of Christ with others, to a focus of resolving the social justice issues in the world and being present during times of need related to the tragedies that nature brings forward. Somehow, we have forgotten that God didn’t come into the world to “fix it,” but rather, to “redeem it.”
Now many will argue that we are rightfully pursuing God’s unfolding will in the church, but clearly, no one can argue that we are placing the proclamation of the Gospel behind other Christian values. Yes, it’s a good thing to feed the poor. Yes, it’s a good thing to clothe the naked. Yes, it’s a good thing to welcome everyone into our churches. Yes, it’s a good thing to love all people regardless of who they are, but are we sacrificing God’s truth for the sake of being socially acceptable and doing things as we want to see them? Have we sacrificed the truth of God for an understanding of sexuality as the culture sees fit? Has being “open, loving and accepting of all lifestyles” replaced the truth that Jesus died for? Have we become our own god knowing better than God how we should live, or, have we chosen to dilute the truth of God in order to keep our families from enduring the same arguments that the church worldwide has been faced with for decades?
Remember those most famous and distressing words, spoken centuries ago: “Did God really say, ‘you must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Friends, it’s really the same old argument. Did God really say …?
NOTE TO THE READER: This article does take a look at a particular side of the arguments and decisions facing the United Methodist Church today. This article DOES NOT take any sides, it is simply something to consider as we all struggle to understand and implement God’s will in our lives, and in His Church. Please be respectful …
If you remember, Moses had led the Israelites to this place at God’s instructions. There, they waited at the bottom of the mountain in camps while their leader, Moses, climbed the mountain in order to commune with God. This was not Moses abandoning his people, but rather, at God’s direction Moses was going to receive further instructions. Sometimes, God wants His people to wait, and to wait patiently, in faith and trust, and without wandering into places that will lead us astray.
This aspect of human nature, to become impatient and do things on our own, is one of the great deterrents of faith that we have to overcome in order to remain faithful to the truth of God. It’s hard to remember that God does things in different ways and timings than we do. His timing is perfect, and our timing we usually “think” is perfect. So, when we become impatient with God, we many times subconsciously institute plans to “carry on” for God, rather than patiently waiting, seeking His voice, wisdom and instruction.
At this point in their history, the Israelites are gathered at the base of Mount Sinai waiting for Moses to descend and continue to lead them into the promised Land. But like waiting for Congress to pass a bill, or, a phone call from a doctor regarding a diagnosis, they became “antsy!” There is something about the human mind that puts limitations on God and what He’s doing, all brought about by our impatience! “Surely, He must be ready to proceed by now! I’ve waited so long and we’ve got to get started!”
Moses was not alone though, he had a brother who was with him on this journey, and his name was Aaron. Aaron was chosen by God along with Moses to see the Israelites out of Egypt. He was to aid his brother Moses in all that God had called him to do. But when the people became impatient at the base of Sinai, he caved into their desire to have some form of God’s presence to worship. Maybe this was meant to be a good thing, or maybe it was complete idolatry, there are various trains of thought on this subject today. Regardless of the original intent, what they did has gone into the history books as a tremendous “fail!” God was not honored, but dishonored!
With that, it brings us to the ultimate question for our day: “Are we honoring God in the world today, or, are we dishonoring Him?” “Have we grown impatient with God as His timing and ways have come into question, or are we substituting something else in His place?”
Just like the actions of the Israelites didn’t happen overnight, the same exist in our lives today. Are we tired of God telling us things that do not line up with the current culture? Have we chosen our understanding and wisdom over God’s, that seems to be “antiquated?” Are we now like the Israelites, worshipping things of our own choice, as opposed to honoring the things God has ordained, as well as Him as Creator God?
Such is what I see in the United Methodist Church today. We have become a people of division, not unity, anxious to do things our way! We are no longer of one mind when it comes to God, and His statutes. In essence, we have become like the Israelites, impatient with God and His accountability in the world. We have taken His precepts and manipulated them into a form that both satisfies our understand of God’s laws, as well as what the culture deems as acceptable and worthwhile. Consequently, our focus has moved from “following” God without question, trusting in His ways and will and having a primary responsibility to share the Gospel of Christ with others, to a focus of resolving the social justice issues in the world and being present during times of need related to the tragedies that nature brings forward. Somehow, we have forgotten that God didn’t come into the world to “fix it,” but rather, to “redeem it.”
Now many will argue that we are rightfully pursuing God’s unfolding will in the church, but clearly, no one can argue that we are placing the proclamation of the Gospel behind other Christian values. Yes, it’s a good thing to feed the poor. Yes, it’s a good thing to clothe the naked. Yes, it’s a good thing to welcome everyone into our churches. Yes, it’s a good thing to love all people regardless of who they are, but are we sacrificing God’s truth for the sake of being socially acceptable and doing things as we want to see them? Have we sacrificed the truth of God for an understanding of sexuality as the culture sees fit? Has being “open, loving and accepting of all lifestyles” replaced the truth that Jesus died for? Have we become our own god knowing better than God how we should live, or, have we chosen to dilute the truth of God in order to keep our families from enduring the same arguments that the church worldwide has been faced with for decades?
Remember those most famous and distressing words, spoken centuries ago: “Did God really say, ‘you must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Friends, it’s really the same old argument. Did God really say …?
NOTE TO THE READER: This article does take a look at a particular side of the arguments and decisions facing the United Methodist Church today. This article DOES NOT take any sides, it is simply something to consider as we all struggle to understand and implement God’s will in our lives, and in His Church. Please be respectful …
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