When we feel like God isn’t coming through for us on our terms, we tend to fall back to sin that feels comfortable to us. In the same way that the Israelites revert to creating something tangible to worship, we create our own gods in times when we feel disoriented. However, what would it look like if we stopped ourselves from reverting to our cyclical sin and instead reflected on God’s kindness to us? What if we reacted out of obedience rather than disregard? As we look at Exodus 32, let it serve as a reminder to walk in faithful obedience not out of duty but because of His kindness to us.

Scripture References

Exodus 32:18-32
Numbers 23:19
Matthew 18:15-17

Angels We have Heard on High | Elevation Worship | iTunes
Luke 2:8-18

A Day of Glory | Austin Stone Worship | iTunes
Isaiah 60 • Luke 1:51-52 • 2 Corinthians 4:17

Trust You | Aaron Keyes | iTunes
Galatians 1:15 • Jeremiah 9:23-24 • Isaiah 26:4

To the Cross I Cling | Village Church Worship | iTunes
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 • Ephesians 2:4-6

Sing to the Lord | Grace Church Worship
Psalm 96 • Isaiah 49:13 • Revelation 7:12

Fully Devoted | LifeChurch Worship | iTunes
Romans 12:1 • 1 Corinthians 6:19 • Philippians 1:20 • Deuteronomy 6:5

Listen to this week’s set list on Spotify

1. When we are tempted to take action because we feel like God has abandoned us, we should instead look back and reflect on the kindness He has extended to us. What is a situation in your life currently where you are tempted to take action but instead need to stop and reflect on the kindness of God?

2. The Israelites find comfort in sin from the past, revealing that something fundamentally has not changed in their souls. What are the conditions under which you get drawn away into sin from the past? What comfortable sin do you fall back into and why? (Ex. fear, pleasure, ambition, control, comfort, anger, etc.)

3. In verse 17, the Israelites take the wealth that God had blessed them with (the gold from Egypt) and turn it into the very idol they create to worship instead of God. What good things in your life have you misused or corrupted?

Thoughts to Consider:

– Aaron gives us a picture of someone who is placed in a leadership position but is not willing to stand alone or take responsibility for his people.

– We have to be clear on what our pattern of sin is. If we do not know what sin we fall back on in the face of hardship, we need to do the work of finding that out.

– When God disciplines His people for sin, we have to be careful to not stand in judgment of the ultimate Judge of the universe. He is merciful and kind to the Israelites when they can’t be merciful and kind to themselves, and He has a history of work to consider that is far bigger than us.