Intimidation
Exodus 32:1-10
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.
Thought For Today
Matthew Henry’s commentary mentions that Hur who was Aaron’s acquaintance in ministry opposed the construction of this golden calf and his opposition cost his life. Hur was stoned to death and never heard of again. Matthew Henry, also concluded this frightened Aaron into compliance to make the image.
Have you ever had a hard time standing up to rebellious people? It’s not uncommon to find yourself in a balancing act with co-workers, family members, and even saints of God trying to do what’s right versus what is wrong. Apparently, Aaron had a hard time standing up to God's people. He didn't have a problem with Pharaoh. But when it came to the people of God, he caved in. Why are some folks afraid to tell saints of God when they are wrong? Why do we just become neutral? The apostle Paul wasn't afraid to tell anyone when they were wrong. He asked the Galatians' church, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:1-3).
Paul said, "But when Peter came to Antioch, I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" (Galatians 2:11-14). Solomon said, "Open rebuke is better than secret love" (Proverbs 27:5). You don't have to be afraid of the crowd or anyone else. The only crowd you need to worry about and please is God. The last time I checked, you and God make a majority in any situation.
Sing this song with me: -
I’ve Got Confidence - Elvis Presley
When trouble is in my way, I can't tell the night from day, I toss from side to side, Like a ship on a raging tide, I don't worry and I don't fret
God has never failed me yet, Trouble's coming from time to time
But that's all right, Cause I'm not the worrying kind, Because I, I've got confidence, God is gonna see me through, No matter what the case may be, I know he's gonna fix it for me.
