MY PERSPECTIVE, Gary Damron
Life is a journey, a search for fulfillment often filled with missteps and distractions. For anyone seeking a deeper relationship with God, there's much to learn from ancient Israel's wilderness journey. Their story of idolatry, repentance, and restoration offers lessons for today as we 1) deal with our own idols, 2) seek God’s forgiveness, and 3) build our lives on Jesus, the true foundation.
Moses had spent 40 days on Mount Sinai with God, and received two stone tablets of testimony “written with the finger of God” (Exodus 31:18). During his time away, Israel became impatient with waiting. Instead of trusting, they entered into idolatrous worship, and created an image an image of a golden calf, compromising spiritual worship of the one true living God for something visible.
This idolatry wasn’t just about a statue—it was about prioritizing their desires over God’s will. People today may not bow to golden cows, but we face similar temptations. Careers, phones, entertainment, heroes, status - anything we place above God, anything that pulls us away from Him and His purpose, is idolatry. The Israelites' sin was so significant that God considered destroying them (Exodus 32:10), for He had seen their acts while Moses was still on the mountain.
Moses interceded the first time, pleading for mercy and 'reminding God' that they still could be His people and fulfill His purpose in carrying blessing to the world (Exodus 32:11-14). Today, Jesus takes this role. Hebrews 7:25 declares, “Jesus is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them." As Moses saw for himself the scenes of debauchery, he broke the tablets in holy anger (Exodus 32:19). When God's people prove unworthy of the gift, either they or the covenantal tablets must be broken. Three thousand people that day were destroyed when they refused to surrender to the call, "'Who is on the Lord's side?'" (Exodus 32:26-28).
The second time Moses interceded, he offered even his own life for his people's forgiveness (Exodus 32:30-32). God indicated that only the unrepentant suffer consequences; however, in addition, God declared He would not go with the others because of their stubbornness (Exodus 32:33-34). We're told in Exodus 33:2-4 that the Angel of God, perhaps an Old Testament manifestation of the Son of God, would guide them.
The thought of losing God’s personal presence, symbolized by the cloud and fire, awakened the Israelites to the cost of their sin (Exodus 33:4-6). Earlier, they'd sacrificed ornaments - symbols of idolatry - for the calf. Now, aware of their emptiness, they repented and mourned, giving up gold and jewels that later would be used in construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 35:22). Repentance and surrender are vital steps on the journey, essential to drawing nearer to God.
Continuing in Exodus 33:7-11, we see the path to restored relationship with God. Moses pitched the tent of meeting outside the camp, where the pillar of cloud [God’s presence] descended and God talked to Moses as a friend. Rather than joining, the people stood in their doorways and worshipped – unable or unwilling to take the next step. Only Joshua, who accompanied Moses, remained in God’s presence and modeled a deeper devotion. Filling the emptiness experienced by disobedient people takes time, and can only be accomplished by God. But He can still be approached by anyone with a contrite heart. The symbolism in Exodus is clear to us who can now approach the Father, because Jesus is our intercessor (read again Hebrews 7:25).
The third time Moses interceded, he pleaded with God to accompany Israel to the promised land (Exodus 33:12-17). In verse 14 God responded. "'My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest.'” And then God told Moses in verse 17, "'you have found favor in My sight, and I have known you by name.'” His people's restoration included acknowledging sin, repenting, asking for forgiveness, and trusting God in faith.
Moses’ deepest desire was to see God’s glory (Exodus 33:18). God promised to place him in the cleft of a rock, shielding him as He passed by (Ex. 33:21-22). This rock, much like the Angel of the Lord, is the preincarnate Jesus, a manifestation of God's presence and provision. Centuries later, Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 10:4 that the Israelites “drank from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.” Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, as Peter affirms, building us into a holy temple (1 Peter 2:4-6). In Matthew 16:16-18, Jesus declared that faith in Him as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” is the rock on which He builds His church.
The Israelites’ journey isn't just history; its lesson is to fashion our lives around Jesus, not idols. Matthew 7:24-27 urges us to build on the rock, ensuring we withstand life’s storms. Ephesians 2:18-22 and 1 Corinthians 3:11-13 reinforce that Jesus is the foundation for our spiritual growth. Like the Israelites, we must lay aside what holds us back - pride, materialism, distractions - and seek God’s presence.
Are we devoting ourselves to God, like Moses and Joshua, or standing at a distance, like the people? Hebrews 13:13-14 calls us to “go out to Him [Jesus] outside the camp, bearing His reproach,” seeking the eternal city to come.
