Message Notes

25 August 2014

CHURCH PRAYER MEETING
Text: Exodus 32

MOSES IN THE MOUNTAIN WITH GOD

1. No appreciation

2. Length of stay seen as “a delay”    Exodus 32:1

3. Dark thoughts
“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

a) Scant regard for Moses

b) He could have died for all they cared

THE MOVE TOWARDS IDOLATROUS WORSHIP

1. Made by the children of Israel

a) They approached Aaron

b) Suggestion presented
“Come, make us gods that shall go before us…”    Exodus 32:1

2. Aaron’s response

a) Break of the golden earrings (wives, sons, daughters)    Exodus 32:2-3

b) After these were brought to him he fashioned it with an engraving tool and made a molded calf    Exodus 32:4

c) He presented the golden calf as the god who brought the children of Israel out of Egypt    Exodus 32:4

DEVELOMENT OF CALF WORSHIP

1. He built an altar before the golden calf    Exodus 32:5

2. Public proclamation
“Tomorrow is a feast to the LORD”    Exodus 32:5

3. Response of the children of Israel

a) They brought burnt offerings

b) And peace offerings

c) They sat down to eat and drink

d) They rose up to play    Exodus 32:5
(euphemism for immoral activities)

A SIGNIFICANT TURN-AROUND!

1. The children of Israel had abandoned their God so swiftly

2. They entered into Calf-Worship so readily

3. Aaron’s spiritual leadership is in serious doubt

4. Why was there such an attraction to idolatrous worship?

a) No genuine faith

b) Egyptian influence

5. Commentary
Psalm 78