Exodus 24:7; 25:8; 20:3; 32:8; 24:3; Exodus 34:6

 

What can the Israelites’ quick shift from covenant to idolatry teach you about your own faith—and how does knowing the Lord is “merciful and gracious” give you hope when you struggle to stay committed?

"7 And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient." (Exodus 24:7)

"8 And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." (Exodus 25:8)

"3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me." (Exodus 20:3)

"8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt." (Exodus 32:8)

"3 ¶ And Moses came and told the people all the words of the Lord, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said, All the words which the Lord hath said will we do." (Exodus 24:3)

"6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth," (Exodus 34:6)

And here's the introductory commentary for this week's reading assignment: April 20–26: “All That the Lord Hath Spoken We Will Do” Exodus 19–20; 24; 31–34

"Although the children of Israel had murmured and wavered in the past, when Moses read the law at the foot of Mount Sinai, they made this covenant: “All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient” (Exodus 24:7). God then called Moses onto the mountain, telling him to build a tabernacle so “that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).

But while Moses was at the top of the mountain learning how the Israelites could have God’s presence among them, the Israelites were at the bottom of the mountain making a golden idol to worship instead. Soon after promising to “have no other gods,” they “turned aside quickly” from their promise (Exodus 20:3; 32:8; see also Exodus 24:3). It was a surprising turn, but we know from experience that faith and commitment can sometimes be overcome by impatience, fear, or doubt. As we seek the Lord’s presence in our lives, it is encouraging to know the Lord did not give up on ancient Israel and He will not give up on us and the people we love—for He is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6)."

My own faith needs to be nourished daily so it will stay strong and continue to grow. Without taking the initiative to nourish my faith each and every day, there is the tendency for it to become weak and stop growing. Without hearing God's words through Moses regularly, the Israelites' faith wavered and quickly shifted from covenant to idolatry. Without hearing, studying, and pondering God's words regularly, there's a tendency for my faith to waver as well. God's word nourishes my spirit just as food nourishes my physical body. Nourishing my spirit daily keeps it strong and able to choose to stay in the covenant path, and always seeking the Lord's presence in my life. 

Knowing the Lord is "merciful and gracious" gives me hope that God is always there for me, no matter what. He is gently guiding me through His Spirit so that I am able to see clearly and figure things out myself when I am struggling to stay commited.