Broken By Sin
Exodus 33:4-5: "When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments. For the Lord had said to Moses, 'Say to the people of Israel, "You are a stiff-necked people; if for a single moment I should go up among you, I would consume you.'""
Three times thus far in Exodus, the Israelites proclaimed in unison: "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Exodus 19:8, 24:3, 24:7). As we know, it is easier to speak of one's obedience than to be obedient. While Moses is on Mount Sinai to speak with Yahweh on behalf of his people, the people became impatient and committed the grievous sin of idolatry, breaking the second commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:4). In their desire for a god whom they could see, they had Aaron fashion a golden calf for them to worship. The Lord saw their worship and did not approve. He sent Moses down to the camp to address the wayward people. On his way down, Moses heard singing and dancing. Consumed with anger at the Israelites, he threw down the tablets upon which the hand of the Lord had written the Ten Commandments. What a disastrous day!
In this passage, Moses was speaking as the mediator between God and his people. The Hebrews have made the choice of whether they are with God, there has been civil war throughout the camp in which 3,000 men died, and then the Lord sent a plague upon the people as punishment for their idolatry. To those who have chosen to remain with the Lord, Moses must administer challenging words: They are a stiff-necked people. Throughout the book of Exodus, we have certainly seen this stubbornness of the people. They demand, whine, and get angry with Moses and the Lord when they face uncertainties or challenges of any kind. Now, they have declared a faithfulness that they have failed to uphold.
Despite their obstinance, the Lord continued his covenant with the nation of Israel, but there were some changes in their relationship with him. Out of love and care for his people, the Lord did not go among them (v. 5). Due to their blatant sin of idolatry, the Lord's holy presence among them would have resulted in their destruction. Thus, the Lord remained out of the camp. Instead of the Lord leading them, it was his angel. He did not leave them alone, but provided another, less-consuming presence to guide them.
The discipline of the Lord and his word cut the Israelites to the heart: "When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments" (Exodus 33:4). They proceeded in their journey acutely aware that their sin of idolatry had great consequences. Once camp was reassembled, Moses set up his tent outside of the camp of the Israelites. In doing so, Moses set himself apart from the sin and corruption of his people. It was in this tent, outside of the camp, that the Lord would meet with Moses. In fact, it is here that we read that beautiful description of their interaction: "The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11). In meeting with Moses, the Lord affirmed his commitment to his people and his covenantal promise to lead the nation of Israel to the promised land.
What kept the Lord from consuming his people after their great act of defilement? It was his covenantal love. While there were certainly consequences for the sins of Israel, God's steadfast love remained. They were ultimately forgiven and healed of their sin. What keeps the Lord from consuming us in our sin? His covenantal love. We read of his covenantal love for Israel in Deuteronomy:
Three times thus far in Exodus, the Israelites proclaimed in unison: "All the words that the Lord has spoken we will do" (Exodus 19:8, 24:3, 24:7). As we know, it is easier to speak of one's obedience than to be obedient. While Moses is on Mount Sinai to speak with Yahweh on behalf of his people, the people became impatient and committed the grievous sin of idolatry, breaking the second commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me" (Exodus 20:4). In their desire for a god whom they could see, they had Aaron fashion a golden calf for them to worship. The Lord saw their worship and did not approve. He sent Moses down to the camp to address the wayward people. On his way down, Moses heard singing and dancing. Consumed with anger at the Israelites, he threw down the tablets upon which the hand of the Lord had written the Ten Commandments. What a disastrous day!
In this passage, Moses was speaking as the mediator between God and his people. The Hebrews have made the choice of whether they are with God, there has been civil war throughout the camp in which 3,000 men died, and then the Lord sent a plague upon the people as punishment for their idolatry. To those who have chosen to remain with the Lord, Moses must administer challenging words: They are a stiff-necked people. Throughout the book of Exodus, we have certainly seen this stubbornness of the people. They demand, whine, and get angry with Moses and the Lord when they face uncertainties or challenges of any kind. Now, they have declared a faithfulness that they have failed to uphold.
Despite their obstinance, the Lord continued his covenant with the nation of Israel, but there were some changes in their relationship with him. Out of love and care for his people, the Lord did not go among them (v. 5). Due to their blatant sin of idolatry, the Lord's holy presence among them would have resulted in their destruction. Thus, the Lord remained out of the camp. Instead of the Lord leading them, it was his angel. He did not leave them alone, but provided another, less-consuming presence to guide them.
The discipline of the Lord and his word cut the Israelites to the heart: "When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments" (Exodus 33:4). They proceeded in their journey acutely aware that their sin of idolatry had great consequences. Once camp was reassembled, Moses set up his tent outside of the camp of the Israelites. In doing so, Moses set himself apart from the sin and corruption of his people. It was in this tent, outside of the camp, that the Lord would meet with Moses. In fact, it is here that we read that beautiful description of their interaction: "The Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend" (Exodus 33:11). In meeting with Moses, the Lord affirmed his commitment to his people and his covenantal promise to lead the nation of Israel to the promised land.
What kept the Lord from consuming his people after their great act of defilement? It was his covenantal love. While there were certainly consequences for the sins of Israel, God's steadfast love remained. They were ultimately forgiven and healed of their sin. What keeps the Lord from consuming us in our sin? His covenantal love. We read of his covenantal love for Israel in Deuteronomy:
"It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers." -Deuteronomy 7:7-8
The Israelites did nothing to earn the favor of the Lord; they were his people by the Lord's sovereign choice and love.
In the New Testament, we read of God's steadfast love for us: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ dies for us" (Romans 5:8). We don't deserve God's love through any acts that we will perform, and we don't earn his forgiveness. The Lord knows we will fail him again and again. Yet he saves us as a gracious gift alone (See Ephesians 2:8). God chose us because he loves us, and he loves us because he chose us.
Reflection:
Do you live as one who is perfectly known and perfectly loved by God? He doesn't love you because of anything you have done or will do. He just loves you. Spend a few minutes meditating on this steadfast love of the Lord today.
In the New Testament, we read of God's steadfast love for us: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ dies for us" (Romans 5:8). We don't deserve God's love through any acts that we will perform, and we don't earn his forgiveness. The Lord knows we will fail him again and again. Yet he saves us as a gracious gift alone (See Ephesians 2:8). God chose us because he loves us, and he loves us because he chose us.
Reflection:
Do you live as one who is perfectly known and perfectly loved by God? He doesn't love you because of anything you have done or will do. He just loves you. Spend a few minutes meditating on this steadfast love of the Lord today.
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