Jump Start # 3829
Exodus 32:25 Now when Moses saw that the people were out of control– for Aaron had let them get out of control to be a derision among their enemies.”
Exodus 32 is a dark chapter in the history of Israel. Moses is up on the mountain getting the tablets of stone—the ten commandments. Are the people praying for Moses? Are they anxiously awaiting him? Nope. Led by Aaron, they have quickly turned aside from the Lord (8). They had become obstinate (9). They were out of control (25). They made a golden calf and were happily worshipping it. They danced. They sang. They were having a great time. God was mad. Moses was mad. God was ready to wipe the people off the face of the planet. Moses threw the tablets of stone and broke them. Even before he could read them to the people, they have violated so many of those commands.
The chapter flows into the next section, where Moses separates himself from the people, seeks the Lord and the grace of God abounds once more.
Within these powerful lessons, we find our verse. Aaron had let them get out of control. What a profound statement for all of God’s leaders, from parents, to shepherds in the church. Letting the people do what they want, most times, ends in spiritual disaster. When confronted by his brother, Moses, Aaron’s reply to all of this was, “you know the people…they are prone to evil” (21). In essence, it’s not my fault.
Leaders need to learn from this section of the Scripture:
First, if you really knew the people, then you should have been especially careful to make sure that they did not do evil. The people said, “Come make us a god who will go before us” (1). If you have a little toddler in your home and he is prone to open cabinets and get into things, then you move things to higher shelves. You put on those child proof locks. You know what he is prone to do, then you prepare.
Knowing the people is the key. If you know the people are prone to be weak, then you find ways to strengthen their faith. If you know that the people are prone to listen to error, then you fortify their faith by teaching what is right and how to recognize error. If you know the people are prone to forget, then you remind.
It was Aaron who fashioned the gold into a molten calf (32:4). It was Aaron who built an altar (32:5). It was Aaron who declared a proclamation to worship (32:5).
Aaron failed as a leader. He may have thought he knew the people, but he did nothing to help them.
Second, when people are out of control, you may have to lay down the law, get stern and discipline. There is a place for gentleness and there is a time to take over the helm of the ship and get it back under control. Loud voices calling for mutiny, rebellion, division, error, need to be silenced as Titus was reminded. Get them under control is the key. An out of control car will wreck. An out of control child will make grave mistakes. An out of control congregation will rush into error. How we get things under control is by standing upon the word of God. It is unmovable. It is unchangeable. Teach it. Preach it. Show it. Live it. Stand by it. Stand upon it. If some don’t want that, they may leave. Some may threaten. So be it. Some may cry its not fair. Life isn’t. But where God has drawn a line in the sand, that’s where leaders must stand and be committed.
Third, Moses did not defend the people. He went outside the camp to the tent of the meeting. It was there that he sought the Lord three times. Moses made it clear and distinct that he was not participating, supporting, defending nor part of this great sin, as the text calls it. God wasn’t going to lead the people. He was going to send an angel. God was so mad with these people. Yet, through the prayers of Moses, God changed His mind. Prayers do reach the heart of God. Prayers do have an impact. Moses stood with the Lord. He asked to know the Lord. He asked to see the Lord’s glory. Moses never lost faith in the midst of this terrible storm.
So often we talk about what to do when we sin. We need to know. But, here we find a lesson about when others sin. Moses’ actions are very clear that he was with the Lord. This is something families need to think about. A grown son chooses to live immorally. God’s people after pleading with him to return are forced to practice discipline. The parents get angry. They stand with the child. They leave. Others leave. They show by their example, that they would have stood with Aaron and sinful Israel, rather than with the Lord. We do not help prodigals when we defend them, support them and even go out to the pig pen with them. There will never be any coming to their senses when family and friends support sin over the Lord.
Aaron let them get out of control. Something to think about.
Roger