When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said,

"Come, make us gods who will go before us..."

Exodus 32:1, NIV 

This has to be one of the most shameful moments in human history. The Israelites had just been freed from slavery, rescued from their pursuers, fed when there was no food, given drink when there was no water, and then pledged their loyalty to the LORD. Then a few short weeks later, they were demanding an idol to bow down to. They were like a woman who had been rescued from the gutter, cleaned up, dressed in beautiful clothing, and then wed to the kindest and most thoughtful man on earth, only to commit adultery the first time that she was out of his sight.

It is no wonder that God was ready to wipe out the whole lot of them. The nation of Israel had been given everything, only to effectively spit in the face of their LORD and run after the made up idols of men! Why would they do such a thing?

I guess that we might be able to relate to it in this manner: We have had times in our lives when, for no reason at all other that love and compassion, somebody treated us well. So well, in fact, that we wondered what we had done to deserve it. At first, we had an undying devotion to this person and would have been insulted had anyone even suggested that we would ever betray that relationship. But, after a time had passed, we became accustomed to their kindness - so accustomed that we eventually took them for granted.

And once we began taking them for granted, it was no time before we started looking for greener pastures, even if it was at the cost of betraying our great benefactor. We, like the Israelites, have all probably done just such a thing. The question is will we come to our senses in time, or will we let our guards down and fall prey to those who would lead us away from the greatest Friend that we ever had?

This is what the LORD Almighty says, "Return to Me", declares the LORD Almighty, "and I will return to you", says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 1:3, NIV

Today is the 18th day of the 30 day challenge to study through the Books of Moses, with Exodus 32-36 being the text for today. May God richly bless you as you purpose in your heart to never let your guard down, and to always be faithful to your Lord and Master!