Disobey and Have a Party

“And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands (the idols)…”   Acts 7: 41

“And…he…made a molded calf…and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”  Exodus 32: 4-6

“It is…the sound of singing I hear….He saw the calf and the dancing.”   Ex 32: 18-19.

The above verses show that we can disobey the Lord and still have a party---at least for a while. One of the problems with human nature is that it so often loses sight of both reward and consequences. When we get caught up in the temptations of the moment or in what we want right now, we forget that there is a reward for faith and obedience, and a consequence and reaping for evil and disobedience. And so like Israel, we make our “golden calves” and have a party.

Moses had gone up the mountain to meet God face to face and to receive the commandments and the laws for Israel’s life as a nation. The people became impatient, discontent, perplexed, and maybe bored during the 40 day wait while Moses was on the mountain. They felt that God was taking too long, or maybe Moses was dead. So they decided to make their own gods. This would liven things up a bit and provide a more cheerful atmosphere. It would help them to feel better. And so they made an idol and “rejoiced before it.” They were singing, dancing, and feeling good. It actually appeared to be one of their happiest moments since leaving Egypt. Sounds like something wonderful, but what a fleeting deception! 3,000 people died as a result of this egregious sin.

The enemy of our souls is so very deceptive.  He hides in our idols and pretends to offer so much. And we foolishly rejoice in those idols because they indulge our flesh and allow us to do as we please. They help us to feel better by providing a quick momentary fix. They help us to temporarily drown our fears, and to forget our deeply troubling thoughts and unanswered questions. They appeal to our selfishness and our self-centeredness. They appeal to and feed our rebellious nature while keeping us distracted from the one true God.

God calls a person to surrender now, and to pay the price of obedience up front. It may mean self-control, waiting, sacrifice, suffering, and doing the right thing when we would rather do something else. The cost is now, but the rewards will surely follow. The blessing follows the obedience.

The enemy, on the other hand, offers all the “good stuff” up front. He offers pleasures and “what you want” now. He makes you think it’s free or at a discount, and with no waiting. As a result, many have eaten at his table not realizing the horrible price they will inevitably pay. If you think God is asking too much of you now, just wait until the devil comes to collect later. 

We must remember that Jesus loves us. Those who follow Him faithfully will reap wonderful rewards. As it is written: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

The pleasures of sin are only for a season. The unspeakable gifts of God are for eternity.