The Lord said to Moses, “Go down at once! Your people, whom you brought up out of the land of Egypt, have acted perversely; they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them…” vss. 7-8
Exodus 32:7-10
Stories of rebellion and disobedience were deeply rooted in Israel’s traditions, and the scribes carefully included them as a part of the historical record. They told how quickly their ancestors had turned away from the way of the Lord and begun to worship other gods. It was just easier for them. Golden calves are visible, and no one had ever seen the Lord that Moses wanted them to serve. It’s still that way! The gods that the people of our time have cast for themselves are tangible and appealing, and we love their tantalizing promises of money, sex, and power. They don’t require going to church and we’re free to follow all the desires of our flesh. We can forget about the poor, shove them aside, and freely indulge in every kind of pleasurable pursuit–and many do. Even those who have been nurtured in the teachings of Jesus are quick to abandon them when they come of age. An invisible deity just doesn’t carry much clout in a world of instant gratification. What folks don’t see is that the world of tangible gods is the land of slavery, and once we bow down to the sacred cows our beautiful freedom is lost. And even life becomes a burden.
Thought for the Day: Where have I encountered sacred cows?
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