Don’t Fall For A Knockoff

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Catey Stover in Uncategorized

“When the people realized that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, “Do something. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt—who knows what’s happened to him?’” Exodus 32:1 (MSG)

 

A mouthpiece for a mouthpiece can be a difficult job, especially if that second mouthpiece mentioned is the mouthpiece for YHVH. But never the less, YHVH told Moses that Aaron was gonna be the man for the job after Moses tries to bow outta what YHVH had planned for His children who were in captivity in Egypt. “Then the LORD became angry with Moses. “All right,” He said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you.” (Exodus 4:14) Now Aaron may have been delighted at that moment and was in astonishment when Moses shared the task ahead but if Aaron had the foresight to see into the wilderness journey he was about undertake, Aaron may have just turned and walked away.

 

Anyone who ever watched Cecil B. Demille’s movie “The Ten Commandments” and remembers the Golden Calf scene, could easily blame Edward G. Robinson’s character “Dathan” as the agitator who gets the people stirred up to make a craven image that matches one of those taken after Israel plundered Egypt but Dathan isn’t mentioned in Scripture. Actually, that scene isn’t nowhere close to what Scripture tells us however it may be a good way to illustrate the impatience the people were feeling with Moses and unfortunately for Aaron, this meant he had a huge problem to handle. Aaron…make us a god to follow. UH OH!!

 

It’s funny how a whole lotta people would say to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!” (Exodus 20:19) But when he goes and does what they have asked him to do they become discontented with waiting and want something, anything to give them guidance and comfort. They will also totally forget that YHVH made it clear, “Remember, you must not make any idols of silver or gold to rival Me.” (Exodus 20:23) In essence, they were good with having God, just one that they could actually see and touch. We aren’t too far away from this in this day and age.

 

Jesus came and took Ten Commandments and made them two but if you study those two, you’ll see their rooted in the ten. Many Christian writers, teachers and preachers have stated that we all do good with Jesus’ first commandment, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37) and not so good with the second, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39b) Well, maybe that’s not entirely true.

 

After I actually said and meant the “Sinners Prayer” I hung a Cross on the bedroom wall, hung one off the rear-view mirror in my truck AND I keep a metal one in my pants pocket. All done to ensure me that He doesn’t leave me. Kinda like the people that Moses had to lead, I needed that tangible piece of something that I could call God and, I hate to say this, put my faith in. Ya see, I’m good with God too…it’s just that sometimes He seems so far away and that makes me feel so very lost. Eventually I would find out the hard way, it’s not the item that makes God present, it’s my faith in Him that allows me to be in His presence.

 

Many of us can easily say that we love the LORD with all our heart, soul and mind when we can absolutely see, touch and feel those things that we are blessed with. But in those moments where God seems so far off and we’re lost in the muck and miry of daily living do we search our heart or do we search outs items to remind ourselves of God’s presence? Some would say search out His word to find His presence…good answer.

 

I’ve said this before but Jesus is a Deuteronomical teacher. Where we see, “And the LORD, He is the one who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8) We’ll see Jesus say, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) In essence, we really need to see the Promiser in the Promise, anything else is just a knockoff item we came with. Amen?

 

Written by Chris Hughes: Chris is a husband, a father, has an education in Biblical doctrine and is a graduate of The Colony of Mercy. He has been a Freedom Fighter contributor since 2008. You can email him at cphughes515@verizon.net

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Think About This: “Man’s mind is like a store of idolatry and superstition; so much so that if a man believes his own mind it is certain that he will forsake God and forge some idol in his own brain.” — John Calvin

The Daily Bible Reading: Ezekiel 12-15| You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: ²³ who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; ²⁴ who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose ^[g]stripes you were healed. 1 Peter 2:23-24

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.