Jump Start # 1792

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 chapter of great triumphs and terrible defeats. Moses is up on the mountain with God. The Lord engraves the stone tablets, the Ten Commandments. What an incredible moment that is. The commands are carved in stone, not written on paper. They were intended to be lasting. They were intended to stand throughout the generations. God gave Moses those stone tablets. I don’t know if Moses did this, but I think I would have taken my finger and traced the words that were written by the finger of God. Amazing!

As Moses and Joshua come down from the mountain, a noise arises from the camp of Israel. They are partying. While Moses was getting the law of God, Israel was busy breaking the law. The people grew impatient waiting for Moses’ return. The next in command was Aaron, the high priest. The people pressured Aaron to make a golden calf, an idol, a visible god, that they could worship. Immediately, several of the first commands were broken. Aaron took charge in making this idol. God was angry. Moses was angry. God was ready to wipe the people out. Moses threw the tablets down and they shattered. The golden calf was destroyed. The nation was punished. Many died that night. It was a terrible end to a wonderful event for Moses.

Great lessons come from this story. One of the first lessons we see is the lack of leadership by Aaron. He allowed the nation to lead him. He justified making the calf on the fact that the people wanted it. Instead of leading the nation in a prayer, reminding them to hang in there and be patient, he caved in to their demands.

The nation of Israel was not a democracy. There was no voting to be done. There were no polls to reflect how the nation felt. God ruled. End of discussion. That same principle needs to understood today in the home and in the church. These are not democracies either. When we listen to the voice of others over the word of God, then trouble will happen.

Modern churches today vote. They vote on policy and doctrine. Look at the history of various churches and you see major doctrinal swings and shifts that follow the feelings of society. A couple of generations ago, no churches had women preachers. Wasn’t allowed. Society changed and so did the churches. Generations ago, most churches were pretty strict about divorce. Society changed and so did their rules. Homosexuality became acceptable in society and the modern church followed. Now, the flavor of the month is transgender. Society is changing it’s thinking about who is a woman and who is a man. The old expression, “If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it must be a duck,” doesn’t fit anymore with modern thinkers. It may walk like a man, talk like a man and even shave like a man, but it could be a woman. Very confusing. In a moment, the modern churches will be rethinking the transgender issue. As society welcomes the latest perversion, modern churches will adjust their teachings, doctrines, policies and signs on the bathroom doors. The modern church dances to the beat of society. They are doing what Aaron did. The people want a golden calf, so we will provide one. We want the people to be happy. The customer, we have been told, is always right. That might be true in business, but it’s a disaster in the church and at home.

Democracy does not belong in the home, either. The home, as designed by God, is to be run by dad and mom. They have the experience and the authority given to them by God. In many homes, there are more kids than parents. If the home were run by popular vote, the parents are outvoted every time. Having their own way, the kids would stay up as late as they want, eat what they want, go to school when they want and grow up to be spoiled, selfish, and ruined. The home needs direction, rule and discipline. It is in the home where respect is learned and accountability is practiced. Letting the kids do what they want is dumb psychology, weak parenting and an invitation for trouble down the road. I had to go to school. There was no debate nor any discussion. I had to go to church services. End of discussion. I had to be home at certain time that my parents decided. I had to fill the car up with gas when I borrowed the car. I had to clean my room. I had to watch what I said. I had to eat supper with the whole family. I was taken to visit grandparents. We went to the funeral home. What did all of that get me? I graduated. I got good jobs. I became responsible. I got married and stayed married. I had a family. I have people that trust me and call me friend. What did it do? It shaped me into a responsible adult that now follows Christ.

Aaron blew it as a leader. I’m sure the people loved him. If popularity is what you want, then you let the people do what they want. They will love you and you will be their favorite. They will sing your praises. They will honor you. They will pat you on the back. But as a leader, you have failed to lead. You allowed the people to go where they want. In Aaron’s situation, the people went straight to sin. God was angry. God was ready to wipe all of them out.

The leader must know where the people need to go. The shepherd of Psalms 23, understood that it was green pastures and quiet waters that the sheep needed. He had to know where those places were. He had to lead the flock there. The flock may not have wanted to travel. Maybe they wanted to just stay where they were. The shepherd knew better. He led. He didn’t drive. He didn’t beat. But he took the sheep to where they needed to be.

In leading, the elder in the church or, the parent, may not always be the good guy. He may have to make some unpopular calls. He may lead them where they need to be, not where they want to be. The leader has to know when to say, “no.” He does that, not to be mean or restrictive, but because he knows what is best for the group he is leading. His goal is their wellbeing. He wants them strong, healthy and growing.

Democracy works great in politics, but it’s a terrible mode to follow in the home and in the church. We need to allow God to be the one in charge. We need to do what God says. “I don’t feel like going to church,” isn’t a reason to stay home. There are many things in life that a person doesn’t “feel like” doing, but it has to be done. Maybe an attitude adjustment, seeing the good in things, opening your eyes, will change that spirit and attitude.

Aaron let the people have what they wanted. They got just that. Of those people, only Joshua and Caleb entered the promise land. God knows what is best. Trust him.

Roger