SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2023

Saturday, February 25, 2023

CONTRASTS

READ: Exodus 32: 1 – 3  While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the covenant with God, the Israelites struggled t live by the word of God rather than by what they set their eyes on in Egypt. The doublemindedness led to a crisis in the camp. Moses was focused on how they would build a sanctuary, a holy place where their invisible God could live with them so they could get to know Him and His ways. At the same time, Aaron was making a golden calf so the Israelites could focus on a visible god as they had done in Egypt. Consider the spiritual implications of the contrast between these two mindsets.

BUILDING THE TABERNACLE                         MAKING THE GOLDEN CALF

God’s ides – Exodus 25: 8&9; 29: 45&46          Israelites ides: Exodus 32: 1-3

Made through willing offerings                        Made through demanded

Exodus 25: 1 & 2                                               donations   Exodus 32: 1 – 3

Well-planned, orderly process of                          A hurried creation, resulting

Painstaking, skilled construction                          from impulsive action

Exodus 25 – 31; 35 – 40                                      Exodus 32: 2 – 6

Priests ordained to serve and                                People offered sacrifices and protect God’s holiness                                          then indulged in revelry   Exodus 29: 1, 35 – 37, 44                                  Exodus 32: 6

Leviticus 16: 1 & 2

Created a visible space among His                       Created a visible image (idol)

people for an invisible God                                    Exodus 32: 4

Exodus 25: 22