Making Quick Decisions (Exodus 32-33)

32 When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Exodus 32:1

As Moses met with the Lord on the mountain, the people became impatient.  Instead of waiting on the Lord (Isaiah 40:30-31), the people made a quick decision, they said, “up…” Have you every wondered why people (including us) are prone to make quick decisions?  Here are three possible answers:

• The fear of silence.  Most people cannot wait on the Lord (Psalm 46:10).
• The fear of suffering.  Most people want out of a trial instead of wanting to gain from a trial. (Rom. 5:2-3).
• The flaws (in us) called sin.  We are most of the time wanting to lead our own lives in our own ways at our own set schedule.

The nation of Israel was flawed with sin.  These people corrupted themselves (32:7-8).  These people turned aside quickly (32:8).  These people made their own gods (32:9). These people were stiff-necked (32:9).

We can only imagined what would have happened to them apart from Moses.  Moses was most concerned with the glory of God (32:12).  Moses understood both the character and covenant of God.  Moses was willing to give his own life to make atonement for his people’s sins (32:30).   Moses met every day with the lord (33:7-11).  Moses was their earthly savior.

This day I praise one greater than Moses.  I praise our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is our go-between (Heb. 7:24-26; II Cor. 5:17-18).  He has set the pace for our lives.

This day I challenge you to pray the prayer Moses prayed: “Please show me your ways, that I may know you in order that I may be faithful in your sight.”