Exodus 32:7 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt.
I read something last night that said, “Nothing says you can’t be a masterpiece and a work in progress at the same time.” That thought seems relevant here. The Israelites, God’s chosen people, are so….what? Afraid? Fickle?…that they have turned from God to a golden calf. Not a banner day for them, to be certain.
Exodus 32:8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’
I talk a lot with my students about making peace with themselves, with ‘the guy in the glass.” Some days, that guy does everything right. Some days are stellar, and it’s easy to be ok with the guy in the glass. But other days, that guy messes up every single thing he touches. Other days, the best we can do is say, “I’ll try again tomorrow.” I hope the Israelites are able to keep that kind of perspective as well.
Exodus 32:9 “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people.
Lord, We are a stiff-necked people, willful, fickle, afraid. Thank You for the many, many ways that You show Your fierce love, even in our brokenness. Help us to love ourselves and others. Help us to cling to you. On those days when we get everything wrong, help us to keep trying to become the people You designed us to be. Amen.
Exodus 32:10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”
Have a blessed day.