Aaronic Bomb.

Moses saw that the people were running wild, for Aaron had let them get completely out of control, causing derision from their enemies. So Moses stood at the entrance of the camp and said, "Whoever is for the Lord, come to me." All the Levites gathered around him... (Exodus 32:25-26)

Over this past weekend, Pastor Sam continued his sermon series Lessons for a Holy People.  Our persons of note this week, whose lives we will reflect on, are Aaron and his sons.

In Exodus 32, we read the account of what is perhaps Aaron's worst ministry moment. Aaron, left in charge while Moses tarried in God's presence, succumbed to the pressure imposed by the people of ancient Israel. Aaron's fashioning of the golden calf was a direct response to the peoples' request: "Make us gods that will lead us."

The people referred to their idol in the plural: "These are your gods..." (see Exodus 32:4)-- a sick twisting of the amazing status of our great God, who is One but at the same time Three. What was the price tag for ancient Israel's drifting away from the True God? A purging of their ranks (Exodus 32:27) and a punishment of their rebellion (Exodus 32:35).

Pastor Sam reminded us of First Peter 2:9: But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation ("ethnos"- a peculiar, particular, distinct people group-- the people set apart by God). The Israelites, in their longing to cut short the process of waiting and wilderness-wandering, engaged an activity that said "God, we're not interested in the 'set apart' thing. We want to embody the character of the nation that enslaved us." And Aaron, rather than speaking up for God, gave in to the desire of men.

Fast-forward to March 4, 2013. We are Aaron. We are set apart by God. We are in the middle of our Lenten journey through the wilderness. We have waited and waited, but our Deliverer has yet to descend from the mountain with a word of encouragement. And Old Egypt, with her leeks and lipstick and lewdness, is looking more and more attractive. And half-baked saints, with bold voices and ample resources, have issued the call to idolatry. They are eager to abandon the One who led us out of darkness and into His marvelous light (see First Peter 2:9). What will we do?

I will not be the source of derision. I will wait patiently and joyfully for the word of the LORD.

Oh souls, saintly souls, the fruit of the Spirit is self-control! Wait upon the Lord!