Some things will never change.
The next day Moses said to the people, "You have sinned a great sin. And now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin." So Moses returned to the LORD and said, "Alas, this people has sinned a great sin. They have made for themselves gods of gold. But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written." But the LORD said to Moses, "Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book. But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them."
Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made.
Exodus 32:30-35 (ESV)
Moses loved God and the people he was entrusted to lead. As the people failed, Moses confessed. Throughout Scripture, we often see great leaders confessing the sins of the people they lead, even though they were not directly responsible for their disobedience.
The people knew God was the only God, yet, in Moses' absence, they decided to worship as pagans. Aaron did not have the fortitude to demand obedience, and would have probably been ignored anyway. Moses could not make the people obey, but he could be tender towards them, confess their sins, and do whatever he could to make things right.
On the other hand, God will hold all people accountable for their own lives. We could blame our disobedience on the absence of our leader (as in this case when Moses was up on a mountain), the fact that we are wandering the desert, or some other adverse circumstance. Yet, it is never acceptable to intentionally disobey God.
I am sure Aaron thought he had no choice, but he did. I am sure the people, or mob, felt they were doing right, but they were not. Moses knew obedience was critical to success for himself and the entire nation and was brokenhearted when wrong choices were made.
Essential factors in life do not change. We are still all accountable to God for our obedience to Him regardless of the circumstances of life. Leaders must lead with compassion, and those who follow must realize they are personally responsible for their decisions.
Some things will never change.
Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made.
Exodus 32:30-35 (ESV)
Moses loved God and the people he was entrusted to lead. As the people failed, Moses confessed. Throughout Scripture, we often see great leaders confessing the sins of the people they lead, even though they were not directly responsible for their disobedience.
The people knew God was the only God, yet, in Moses' absence, they decided to worship as pagans. Aaron did not have the fortitude to demand obedience, and would have probably been ignored anyway. Moses could not make the people obey, but he could be tender towards them, confess their sins, and do whatever he could to make things right.
On the other hand, God will hold all people accountable for their own lives. We could blame our disobedience on the absence of our leader (as in this case when Moses was up on a mountain), the fact that we are wandering the desert, or some other adverse circumstance. Yet, it is never acceptable to intentionally disobey God.
I am sure Aaron thought he had no choice, but he did. I am sure the people, or mob, felt they were doing right, but they were not. Moses knew obedience was critical to success for himself and the entire nation and was brokenhearted when wrong choices were made.
Essential factors in life do not change. We are still all accountable to God for our obedience to Him regardless of the circumstances of life. Leaders must lead with compassion, and those who follow must realize they are personally responsible for their decisions.
Some things will never change.
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