READING: Exodus 29-32
“The people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain. . .”
Exodus 32:1
I’m impatient. Really impatient. And impulsive. Put the two together, and you have a recipe for potential disaster. Sometimes, frankly, I don’t think enough before making a decision, and the decision I do make comes back to haunt me. I don’t think I’ve ever made a decision as disastrous as the Hebrews in today’s reading, however.
They had previously agreed to do all that God required of them (Exo. 24:3, 7); they were committed to following the One who had redeemed them from Egypt. That commitment changed, though, when Moses stayed on the mountain longer than they thought he should have. It was “when the people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain” (Exo. 32:1) that they turned to Aaron to make them gods to lead them. They must have been convinced that after 40 days on the mountain, Moses was not likely to return—and they turned to false gods. Impatience thus became a step toward idolatry.
I said that I’ve not made decisions like the Hebrews did, but I’m nevertheless challenged as I read today. I, too, get impatient when God doesn’t answer my prayers as quickly as I’d like. I don’t always listen long enough to hear God’s leading before I take the next steps forward. Sometimes I move first and ask God’s blessing second. Whenever I follow any of these patterns, I’m choosing what I want over hearing what God wants – and that’s the core of idolatry. My impatience thus evokes my own idolatry.
Perhaps I’m not so different from the Hebrews.
ACTION STEPS:
- If you’re impatient, confess that tendency to God and ask Him to teach you patience.
- Wait on Him today, no matter how quickly you might want to move forward on some matter.
PRAYER: “Lord, I don’t wait on You like I should. Teach me patience.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Exodus 33-36