Who Is My God? The Self-Revelation of Exodus 34

 

When people ask who my God is, I turn to His own words in Exodus 34:6–7, where He reveals Himself to Moses. God describes Himself as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin, but by no means clearing the guilty.”

The beauty of God’s character is seen in the perfect balance of love and justice. He is not a cold and distant ruler, nor is He a permissive being who overlooks evil. Instead, He is deeply compassionate, eager to forgive, patient with our weaknesses, and faithful to His promises. At the same time, He is righteous and holy, meaning that sin and injustice will not last forever.

What makes my God beautiful is that His justice never overshadows His mercy, and His mercy never cancels out His truth. Both meet in harmony within Him. We see the fullness of this revealed in Jesus Christ, who embodied this passage perfectly—offering forgiveness to the repentant while upholding the holiness of God.

So, when I say who my God is, I say: He is the God who loves beyond measure, forgives abundantly, remains faithful when I fail, and yet is just enough to bring an end to evil. That is the beauty of His character, and that is why I worship Him.

John 1:14 (NKJV):

"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."

This verse shows how Jesus Christ embodied the same self-revelation of God from Exodus 34:6–7—overflowing with both grace and truth, mercy and justice.

The Shining Face of Moses

 

The Shining Face of Moses

Exodus 34:29–35

There are moments in Scripture where the glory of God breaks through human weakness and becomes visible. One of the most striking examples is in Exodus 34, when Moses descends from Mount Sinai with the new tablets of the covenant. His face is shining—radiant with the glory of God. The people of Israel could not even look at him directly because of this light.

This story is not just about Moses; it is about what happens when human beings come into the presence of God and allow Him to work in their lives.

The Cause of Moses’ Radiant Face
Exodus 34:29 tells us plainly: “Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.” The radiance came directly from being in the presence of God. Moses had just spoken with the Lord face to face, receiving not only the tablets of stone but also God’s promises and commandments. The glory that filled Moses’ face was a reflection, not his own light, but God’s light shining through him.

This shows us that true transformation does not come from human effort but from being with God. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, Moses reflected the light of God’s glory.

Why Moses Might Not Have Known His Face Was Radiant
It is striking that Moses himself was unaware of his shining face. Why? Because genuine encounters with God humble us rather than puff us up. When we truly surrender to God, we are not focused on our own image but on His majesty. The radiance was not for Moses to boast in but as evidence to the people that he had been in God’s presence.

In the same way, when we spend time with God—whether in prayer, in Scripture, or in worship—others may notice the change in us before we do. The peace, joy, and love of Christ become visible even if we ourselves are unaware.

Proof of God’s Presence
The Israelites feared Moses’ shining face because it was proof he had been with the Lord. This radiance was not something Moses could create or imitate; it was supernatural evidence of divine presence.

For us, God’s presence may not make our physical face glow, but it certainly transforms our hearts and minds. People will see patience where there was once anger, hope where there was once despair, forgiveness where there was once bitterness. That change itself is evidence that God is real and active in our lives.

Our Transformation Through Surrender
Just as Moses’ face shone because of God’s glory, our inner lives can shine when we surrender fully to the Lord. When we allow God to be the King of our hearts, He changes the way we think, feel, and live.

Romans 6:4 tells us: “Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Newness of life is the evidence that Christ lives in us.

When we surrender pride, fear, and selfishness, God fills us with His Spirit. And just as He wrote His covenant on stone tablets for Israel, He now writes His law of love on our hearts.

Transformed Into His Image
The apostle Paul makes the connection between Moses and believers today in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Transformation into the image of Christ is a gradual, Spirit-led process. Just as Moses’ face shone after being with God, we begin to shine spiritually as we behold Christ daily. Our thoughts are renewed, our desires purified, and our actions aligned with His will. Over time, we begin to reflect His character more and more.

Surrender and Shine
The shining face of Moses was a visible testimony of what happens when a man spends time in God’s presence. He did not know it, but the people could see it clearly. In the same way, when we walk with Jesus, He transforms us—often in ways we cannot even perceive.

When you surrender your life to Christ, you walk in newness of life (Romans 6:4). When you continue to behold Him, He transforms you day by day into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Let us, then, seek His presence earnestly, so that our lives shine—not with our own light, but with the glory of the One who lives within us.

The Self-Revelation of God

 

“The God Who Reveals His Glory”

Text: Exodus 34:1–28

The story of Moses ascending Mount Sinai in Exodus 34 is one of the most powerful encounters between God and man in all of Scripture. This was not Moses’ first time on the mountain—it was his seventh trip up Mount Sinai, a number that often signifies completion and fulfillment in the Bible. Each trip had been marked with awe, fear, and intimacy, but this time was different. Moses carried in his hands two new stone tablets, for the first ones had been broken in anger when Israel sinned with the golden calf. This moment was a new beginning—a covenant restored, mercy renewed, and God’s glory revealed.

Moses’ Anticipation of God’s Glory
Imagine Moses climbing once again up that rugged mountain path, the two blank tablets in hand. His heart must have been beating with expectation. After all the failures of the people, after his own intercessions on their behalf, God had promised to show His goodness and His name (Exodus 33:19). Moses wasn’t just bringing tablets of stone—he was walking into a holy encounter with the living God.

We often think of anticipation as something reserved for human events—graduations, weddings, or long-awaited reunions. But here is a man anticipating not an event, but the presence of God Himself. Moses knew that God’s presence was Israel’s only hope, the only thing that set them apart from the nations.

God’s Revelation of His Glory
So how did God reveal His glory? Not in thunder, lightning, or fire this time—but in His character and His covenant words.

Exodus 34:6–7 tells us God proclaimed His own name before Moses:
“The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…”

This was the true glory of God—not just His power, but His mercy, patience, justice, and unfailing love. The tablets Moses carried symbolized God’s Word written down, but the voice Moses heard revealed God’s heart.

Then in Exodus 34:10, God made an astonishing promise:
“Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation.”
God’s glory was not only something Moses saw—it was something Israel would live. The world would witness wonders through God’s people that displayed His power and grace.

The Connection to Us Through Christ
For us, this passage reminds us that God’s glory is not distant. Just as God revealed His glory to Moses through His covenant, He has revealed His glory to us through His Son, Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:19 says: “We love because He first loved us.” This echoes what Moses experienced—Moses did not climb Sinai because of his own greatness, but because God first chose to reveal Himself. Likewise, we do not seek God out of our own merit, but because Christ came down to us.

In Jesus, we see the fullness of God’s glory (John 1:14). On the cross, His mercy, justice, patience, and love all shine together. Where Moses carried stone tablets written with God’s covenant, we carry in our hearts the Spirit who writes His law within us.

Let Jesus Reveal Himself
Moses’ seventh trip up the mountain reminds us of a God who does not grow weary of revealing Himself. Even after human failure, God comes again in mercy. The glory of God was shown to Moses in words of steadfast love, and it is shown to us in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ.

So let us walk in anticipation, just as Moses did. Let us carry God’s Word with us daily, expecting that He will meet us in His mercy. And let us never forget: “We love because He first loved us.”

Show Me Your Glory

 

“Show Me Your Glory”
Exodus 33:18–23

In Exodus 33, Moses does something bold—he asks God, “Show me Your glory.” After leading Israel through the wilderness, after hearing God’s voice and receiving His law, Moses still longed for something deeper: to truly know God’s heart and character. It was not a request for power, position, or privilege—it was a cry for intimacy with God.

God’s Answer to Moses
God responded in a remarkable way. He said:
“I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence… But,” He added, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.” (Ex. 33:19–20).

Instead of displaying raw, overwhelming power, God revealed His goodness, His mercy, and His compassion. He placed Moses in the cleft of the rock, covering him with His hand, allowing Moses to see only the afterglow of His glory. God’s glory, then, was not fire and thunder—it was His character of love and grace.

Glory and the Witness to the World
This connects to Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 4:9, where he describes believers as being made a “spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings.” God’s glory is revealed not only in grand displays but in how His people reflect His character before the watching world. Just as Moses was changed after seeing God’s goodness, so too are we called to reveal God’s character through our lives.

Paul also reminds us in Romans 2:4 that it is not fear, threat, or judgment that leads people to repentance, but the kindness of God. That kindness is what Moses saw. That kindness is what transforms hearts. God’s glory is revealed most clearly in His compassion, patience, and mercy.

The Cross: The Fullest Revelation of God’s Glory
Yet the ultimate answer to Moses’ request comes not at Sinai, but at Calvary. On the Cross, God’s glory was fully unveiled—not in dazzling light, but in self-sacrificing love. There we see justice and mercy meet, wrath against sin and compassion for sinners embrace.

At the Cross, God’s character is revealed with absolute clarity:

• His justice—sin must be dealt with.

• His mercy—He bore our punishment Himself.

• His love—“while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

When we fix our eyes on the Cross, we see what Moses longed to glimpse: the heart of God. The Cross shows us His glory, His goodness, His love.

See God's Glory
Moses cried, “Show me Your glory.” God answered by showing His goodness. Paul explained that God’s kindness leads us to repentance. And in the fullness of time, God’s answer to that ancient prayer was nailed to a Roman cross.

So if you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus on the Cross. There, more than anywhere else, the glory of God shines.

The Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School 4th Quarter 2025

The Lessons of Faith from Joshua

The book of Joshua marks the transition from the leadership of Moses to that of Joshua. It begins with the story of the Israelites entering the Promised Land and ends with them settled in that land.

The Cry for God’s Presence

 

The Cry for God’s Presence

Scripture Reading: Exodus 33:12–17

Every believer comes to a point where the greatest need is not simply God’s blessings, but God Himself. In Exodus 33, Moses had already seen God’s mighty power—the burning bush, the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven, water from the rock. Yet, in this passage, Moses pleads with God: “Teach me Your ways… If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.” This was not a request for miracles or signs, but for a deeper relationship with God.

Moses’ Request: Teach Me Your Ways (vv. 12–13)
Moses understood that leading Israel was an impossible task without God’s wisdom. He did not just want to know what God was doing, but why He was doing it. He asked, “Teach me Your ways, so I may know You and continue to find favor with You.”

• At the burning bush (Exodus 3), Moses first learned who God was—the great I AM.

• In Egypt, he saw God’s power to deliver.

• At the Red Sea, he saw God’s salvation.

• In the wilderness, he experienced God’s provision.

Now, Moses wanted more than what God could do—he wanted to know who God truly was. This is the cry of a maturing faith: “Lord, show me Your heart.”

The Demand for God’s Presence (vv. 14–15)
God answered, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” But Moses pressed further: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.”

Why was Moses so insistent?

• Because God’s presence was the only thing that set Israel apart from the nations. Without it, they would be just another wandering people.

• Because no promised land, no blessing, no earthly gift could replace the joy of God Himself.

• Because Moses knew that the journey without God would lead to disaster.

Moses valued the Giver more than the gifts.

A Relationship that Grew (vv. 16–17)
Moses’ relationship with God deepened step by step:

• From the bush, where God called him.

• To Egypt, where God worked through him.

• To Sinai, where God gave him the Ten Commandments—His holy law.

• To the Tabernacle, where God revealed a way for His presence to dwell among His people.

Each step was not just about Israel’s deliverance, but about Moses drawing nearer to God.

The Desire for Intimacy with God
Even after all he had seen, Moses still longed for more. He didn’t settle for past experiences. He prayed, “Teach me… Show me… Stay with me.” That is the cry of a heart in love with God.

This is the same desire God has for us. Through Jesus Christ, He has opened the way for an even greater intimacy than Moses experienced. The law and the tabernacle were shadows; Christ is the reality. In Him, God not only goes with us—He dwells within us by the Holy Spirit.

Long for a Deeper Relationship
Moses shows us that true leadership, true faith, and true life are found in seeking God’s presence above all else. We must never be satisfied with blessings without the Blesser, or promises without His Presence.

Just as Moses longed for a deeper understanding of God, so God longs for a deeper relationship with us—fulfilled through Jesus Christ. The invitation today is clear: not just to know about God, but to know Him personally.

“My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” That promise is ours in Christ.

The Tent of Meeting: A Place of Friendship with God

 

“The Tent of Meeting: A Place of Friendship with God”

Text: Exodus 33:7–11

In Exodus 33:7–11, we are told about the “tent of meeting” which Moses set up outside the Israelite camp. This was not yet the great Tabernacle that God later commanded them to build, but a temporary place where Moses could seek the Lord. It was here that “the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” What a beautiful picture of intimacy with God!

 Why the Tent of Meeting Was Built
After the golden calf incident in Exodus 32, Israel’s relationship with God was broken. The camp itself had been defiled by sin. So Moses took a tent and pitched it outside the camp. This was a reminder that sin separates people from God. Yet it also showed God’s mercy: He was still willing to meet with His people through His chosen servant. The tent became a symbol of hope, forgiveness, and restored fellowship.

A Little History of the Tent of Meeting
Before the Tabernacle was constructed (Exodus 35–40), the tent of meeting served as a temporary sanctuary. Anyone who sought the Lord could go there, but it was primarily the place where Moses would meet with God. A pillar of cloud would descend at the entrance when the Lord spoke with Moses, and the people would stand in reverence and worship at their own tents. This tent pointed forward to the permanent dwelling place of God among His people, first in the Tabernacle, later in the Temple, and ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

Moses’ Relationship with God
The tent of meeting was not the beginning of Moses’ walk with God—it was part of a long journey of trust and obedience.

• Moses first encountered God at the burning bush (Exodus 3), where he was called to deliver Israel.

• He stretched out his hand over the waters at the Red Sea, and God parted it so Israel could escape Egypt (Exodus 14).

• He went up Mount Sinai and received the Ten Commandments, beholding God’s glory in a unique way.

Each of these moments prepared Moses for deeper intimacy with God. By the time we reach Exodus 33, the Lord speaks with him “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.” This is one of the greatest honors given to any human being in Scripture—and it came because Moses walked faithfully with God.

Lessons for Us Today
Moses’ life shows us what God can do when we allow Him to shape us. Moses was not perfect—he doubted, questioned, and even failed at times—but he continually returned to God. Because of that, God transformed him into a faithful servant and intercessor for His people.

We too are invited into that kind of relationship. Through Jesus Christ, we have direct access to God’s presence. Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” And in John 15:15, Jesus says to His disciples, “I no longer call you servants… Instead, I have called you friends.”

Just as Moses was called the friend of God, so we too can walk with God as His children and friends when we surrender our lives to Him.

Our "Tent" of Meeting
The tent of meeting reminds us that God desires to meet with His people—not from a distance, but up close, in fellowship and love. Moses’ story—from the burning bush to the Red Sea to speaking with God as a friend—teaches us that a faithful walk with God transforms us into vessels He can use. If God could take a reluctant shepherd like Moses and make him into a mighty leader and friend of God, then He can change us too—if we let Him.

Sabbath School Lesson 12: "Please, Show Me Your Glory"

 EXODUS 

Sabbath School Lesson 12

"Please, Show Me Your Glory" 

You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.

> Download the notes for Lesson 12 video here.

(Video is Below)

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More Sabbath School:

Sunday: The Tent of Meeting

Monday: That I May Know You

Tuesday: "Please, Show Me Your Glory"

Wednesday: The Self-Revelation of God

Thursday: The Shining Face of Moses

Friday: Further Thought - Who is Your God?

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You can find Sabbath School EXODUS 3rd quarter lessons here.

Worshiping the Creator, Not the Creation

 Worshiping the Creator, Not the Creation

Scripture Reading: Romans 1:25 – “They exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.”

God has filled the world with beauty—the mountains, oceans, forests, skies, and even the smallest flower declare His glory (Psalm 19:1). We are called to care for the earth as good stewards (Genesis 2:15). Yet there is a danger: what God gave us to manage and enjoy can become something we idolize. The Apostle Paul warned about this when he said people “worshiped and served the creation rather than the Creator.”

Today, let’s explore how we can faithfully care for the earth without crossing the line into worshiping it.

Recognizing the Goodness of Creation

God called everything He made “very good” (Genesis 1:31).

• The earth is not a god—it is a gift.

• Creation reflects God’s glory but is not the source of glory.

• When we see beauty in creation, our hearts should be lifted to praise the Maker, not the made thing.

Psalm 95:6 reminds us: “Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.”

How People Can Worship Creation Instead of the Creator

There are subtle ways we can slip into creation-worship today:

• Environmentalism without God – When protecting the planet becomes the ultimate purpose of life, instead of serving God’s purposes for it.

• Finding spiritual power in nature itself – Instead of seeing nature as a reflection of God’s power, people treat it as if it has divine power.

• Valuing creation above people – Placing animals, plants, or ecosystems above human beings made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27).

• Self-identity rooted in creation – Finding meaning and purpose in being “one with nature” rather than in being reconciled to God through Christ.

These are distortions—gifts elevated above the Giver.

Biblical Stewardship: Caring Without Worshiping

So how do we protect creation without idolizing it? The Bible shows us:

• Stewardship, not ownership. Psalm 24:1 says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” We are caretakers, not lords of the earth.

• Balance of dominion and care. God told Adam to “work and take care” of the garden (Genesis 2:15). We are to use creation responsibly, but not exploit it.

• Service to God through creation-care. Caring for the environment should flow from love for the Creator and love for our neighbor (since pollution, waste, and destruction harm other people).

• Gratitude, not reverence. We give thanks for food, water, shelter, and beauty, but we do not pray to them or bow before them.

Christ-Centered Perspective

Ultimately, creation points us to Christ:

• Colossians 1:16 – “For in him all things were created… all things have been created through him and for him.”

• Creation exists to serve Christ’s glory, not ours.

• Our stewardship reflects our obedience to Him, not devotion to the planet itself.

The cross itself was made of wood from a tree—part of creation used in God’s redemptive plan. What greater reminder that creation serves the Creator’s purposes!

Be Good Stewards

Yes, we should recycle, conserve resources, protect forests, clean oceans, and prevent waste—but not because the earth is divine. We do it because God is divine. Creation is not our god—it is our gift and our responsibility.

Let us worship the Creator, not the creation, by letting the beauty of this world point us to Christ and by faithfully caring for what He has entrusted to us.

Revelation 4:11 – “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.”

The Amazing Intercessory Prayer of Moses

 

How Far Did Moses Go in His Intercessory Prayer?

Text: Exodus 32:30–32

“Now it came to pass on the next day that Moses said to the people, ‘You have committed a great sin. So now I will go up to the LORD; perhaps I can make atonement for your sin.’ Then Moses returned to the LORD and said, ‘Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written.’” (Exodus 32:30–32, NKJV)

The golden calf incident was not just a slip—it was a great sin. Israel turned away from the living God to worship the works of their hands. Moses, as a true shepherd, did not minimize their guilt. He called it what it was: idolatry and rebellion. Before there can be forgiveness, there must be honesty about sin (1 John 1:9).

Moses’ Burden as Intercessor

Notice what Moses does: instead of distancing himself from the people, he draws nearer to God on their behalf. He goes up to seek atonement. This was not casual prayer—it was costly, heartfelt intercession. Moses loved God’s glory, but he also loved the people enough to risk everything for them.

Here we see the heart of a true intercessor: he stands in the gap (cf. Ezek. 22:30). Moses was willing to absorb consequences if it meant salvation for his people. He prayed, “Lord, forgive them—or blot me out of Your book.”

The Extent of His Sacrifice

This is one of the most staggering prayers in Scripture. Moses essentially says: “If their sin means exclusion from Your covenant, then let me be excluded too. I would rather perish with them than see them perish without hope.” This echoes Paul’s later heart in Romans 9:3: “For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren.”

Moses was not perfect, but his love reflected God’s own compassion. He was willing to give up his own standing for sinners.

Moses as a Type of Christ

Moses points us forward to Jesus Christ. Yet, what Moses could not do, Christ did. Moses offered himself, but he was only a man; he could not actually bear Israel’s guilt. Jesus, however, is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

• Where Moses said, “Blot me out,” Jesus actually was cut off—crying, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matt. 27:46).

• Where Moses pleaded for atonement, Jesus became the atonement (2 Cor. 5:21).

• Where Moses interceded from earth, Jesus now ever lives to intercede for us (Heb. 7:25).

The Amazing Act of God Himself

Here is the wonder of the gospel: God Himself in Christ bore the punishment we deserved. He did not just pray for sinners—He died for sinners (Rom. 5:8). The cross is the ultimate fulfillment of Moses’ heart-cry. Jesus didn’t merely offer to be blotted out—He took the curse, He was pierced for our transgressions (Isa. 53:5), and He secured eternal forgiveness.

What Moses could only desire, Jesus accomplished.

Remember Jesus Our Intercessor

Moses went as far as a man could go in intercessory prayer: willing to give up his own place for the sake of others. But Christ went even further—He laid down His life, and in doing so, opened the way for every sinner to be forgiven.

So when you feel the weight of sin, do not despair. You have a greater Intercessor than Moses. You have Jesus, who not only pleads for you but has already paid the price. Trust Him, cling to Him, and rejoice in the love of the Savior who took your punishment that you might live forever.

Moses becomes an Intercessor

 

Moses the Intercessor

Text: Exodus 32:9–29

The story of Israel at Mount Sinai is one of the most tragic yet hope-filled moments in the Bible. After God had delivered His people from slavery with mighty power, they turned quickly to idolatry, crafting a golden calf and worshiping it. The covenant was scarcely given when it was already broken. In this passage, we see God’s anger, Israel’s rebellion, Aaron’s weakness, and most importantly, Moses’ role as an intercessor.

God’s Threat and Moses’ Reaction (Ex. 32:9–14)

God told Moses that He would destroy Israel and raise up a new nation through Moses. The temptation was real—Moses could have replaced Abraham as the father of a great nation. But instead of self-interest, Moses pleaded with God:

• He appealed to God’s promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

• He appealed to God’s glory among the nations, that the Egyptians would mock if Israel were destroyed.

• He appealed to God’s mercy.

Moses stood in the gap for his people, showing us the power of intercessory prayer. Like Christ who intercedes for us, Moses chose to plead for the guilty rather than advance his own name.

The Breaking and Restoration of the Commandments (Ex. 32:15–16, 19; 34:1)

When Moses descended the mountain and saw Israel’s sin, his anger burned, and he broke the tablets of the Ten Commandments. This was more than an outburst—it was symbolic. Israel had shattered their covenant with God, and the broken stones were a visible reminder of that.

Yet the story did not end there. God commanded Moses to chisel out new tablets, and the Lord Himself wrote the commandments again. This shows us God’s willingness to restore His people after repentance. Just as God rewrote His law for Israel, He writes His law again on repentant hearts today.

Aaron’s Excuses (Ex. 32:21–24)

Moses rebuked Aaron for leading the people astray. Instead of standing firm, Aaron gave in to the pressure of the crowd. When confronted, Aaron made excuses: “You know the people, that they are set on evil… I threw the gold into the fire, and out came this calf!”

This shows us the danger of weak leadership—leaders who excuse sin rather than confront it cause great harm. Aaron’s excuses remind us of Adam in the garden, blaming others instead of taking responsibility. God calls us not to shift blame but to repent and stand firm in truth.

Even Leaders Were Not Exempt (Ex. 32:25–29)

Earlier in Exodus, seventy elders of Israel had experienced a meal in God’s presence (Ex. 24:9–11). Yet some of these same elders joined in the apostasy. Their privileged position did not protect them from judgment. When the Levites rallied to Moses’ side, they executed God’s judgment even on their own brothers.

This is a sobering reminder: spiritual privilege is no safeguard without obedience. Leaders are held to greater accountability, and those closest to God must guard against complacency.

Moses’ Continuing Intercession (Ex. 32:30–32)

Even after judgment fell, Moses went back to the Lord in prayer. He was willing to be blotted out of God’s book if it meant Israel could be spared. That is the heart of an intercessor—a willingness to sacrifice for the sake of others.

Moses points us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate intercessor, who not only prayed for sinners but gave His life to redeem them.

Our Call to Intercede

We live in a world that, like Israel, often turns aside to idols—whether wealth, power, or pleasure. In our families, our churches, and our communities, we see people drifting from God. What can we do? We can do what Moses did: intercede.

• Pray earnestly for those who have fallen.

• Stand in the gap when others are weak.

• Plead with God for mercy, not judgment.

Intercessory prayer is not a side ministry—it is a calling for every believer. Just as Moses prayed for Israel, and Jesus prays for us, we are called to pray for one another.

In Exodus 32 we see sin, judgment, and mercy. We see Moses break the law, but we also see God restore it. We see Aaron excuse his failure, but Moses intercede for the guilty. And we see that God hears the prayers of those who stand in the gap.

May we be found as intercessors in our time, lifting others before God, trusting in His mercy, and pointing all to the greater Intercessor, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Corrupting Ourselves with Idols

 

Why God Sent Moses Back to the Camp of Israel

Text: Exodus 32:7–8 – “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!’”

God’s Command for Moses to Return

At Mount Sinai, while Moses was receiving the law, Israel was already breaking it. God interrupted that sacred moment to send Moses back to the camp. Why? Because sin cannot be ignored. God saw that the people had “corrupted themselves.”

The word “corrupted” here carries the meaning of ruin, decay, and moral rot. They had spoiled the very covenant they had just entered into with God. It wasn’t merely a mistake—it was a deliberate turning aside from the way God had commanded.

What “Corrupting Themselves” Means

When God said Israel had corrupted themselves, He meant they had exchanged His holiness for human imagination. They lowered His glory to the image of a calf, something lifeless, powerless, and created by their own hands. This was spiritual adultery—a betrayal against the God who had redeemed them.

Ezekiel describes similar corruption centuries later. Ezekiel 8 shows Israel bowing to images in the very temple of God, turning their backs on Him to face the east and worship the sun. Again, the people had “corrupted themselves,” exchanging the Creator for the creation. Sin always starts with a turning aside, and if not stopped, it leads to total ruin.

How We Create Our Own Idols

Before we shake our heads at Israel, we must admit: we are just as creative in our idolatry. We may not bow before golden calves, but we still fashion idols in our lives:

• Wealth – when money dictates our choices more than God’s Word.

• Technology – when our devices consume more of our time than prayer.

• Status and success – when recognition from people matters more than faithfulness to God.

• Pleasure – when comfort becomes more important than obedience.

The human heart, as John Calvin once said, is a “perpetual factory of idols.” We can take even good things—family, work, ministry—and corrupt them into idols when they replace God at the center.

Guarding Against Idolatry

So how can we keep from falling into the same trap? Scripture gives us clear guidance:

• 1 John 5:21 – “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.” That means being watchful, identifying what competes with God, and removing it.

• Colossians 3:1–2 – “Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.” By fixing our eyes on Christ, earthly distractions lose their power.

• Hebrews 12:2 – “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” The surest safeguard against idolatry is a continual focus on Jesus—His love, His cross, His mission.

Avoid Corruption

God sent Moses back to Israel because His people had corrupted themselves, turning from the living God to the work of their hands. And He sends His Word to us today for the same reason: to call us back before our hearts decay in idolatry.

Let us ask: What golden calves have we crafted in our lives? What altars have we built that need tearing down?

The good news is that Jesus offers us a better way. He calls us to worship in spirit and truth, to love Him above all, and to walk in His commands. If we fix our eyes on Him, we will not need idols—for in Christ, we already have the fullness of God’s presence.

Apostasy and Intercession - Mark Finley - Sabbath School

 Apostasy and Intercession

Mark Finley

HopeLives365

Evil: Where Idolatry Leads

 

"Where Idolatry Leads"

Text: Exodus 32:6

“So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterward they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” (Exodus 32:6, NIV)

 

Idolatry never stays in one place. It always progresses—quickly pulling people from devotion to the living God into practices that degrade both worship and human dignity. In Exodus 32:6, after fashioning the golden calf, Israel moved rapidly from offering sacrifices to wild feasting and immoral behavior. This one verse shows how quickly the human heart, once turned from God, spirals into confusion, corruption, and chaos.

The Path of Idolatry

The psalmist warns:

• “Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see... Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.” (Psalm 115:4–8)

• Likewise, Psalm 135:15–18 echoes the same truth: lifeless idols produce lifeless worshippers.

When Israel bowed before the golden calf, they began to mirror the blind, powerless image they had made. The result was not holiness but disorder. As Isaiah 44:9–10 teaches, those who form idols are themselves “nothing,” and what they treasure “profits them nothing.” Idolatry diminishes the worshipper.

The Golden Calf and Egypt

The golden calf may have been modeled after the Egyptian god Apis, the sacred bull worshiped in Egypt. For generations, Israel had seen Egypt’s religion, and though God had delivered them, traces of Egypt lingered in their hearts. By shaping a calf, they were not only rebelling against God’s covenant but also retreating into the false gods of their past.

Here lies the irony: created beings took their own hands, melted down gold, and shaped a “god.” This is creation in reverse. Instead of the Creator making man in His image, man attempted to make a creator in his own image. What a grave apostasy! To worship what your own hands have formed is to deny the living God who formed you.

Caution found in Romans 1

Paul writes of this same downward spiral in Romans 1:22–27:

• “Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.” (vv. 22–23)

• This rejection of God leads to disordered desires, dishonorable passions, and broken relationships.

The story of Israel at Sinai and Paul’s warning in Romans both show us this sobering truth: when we replace the true God with idols—whether golden calves, possessions, power, pleasure, or self—our worship collapses, our thinking darkens, and our lives disintegrate.

Avoiding Idolatry Today

Idolatry today may not look like a golden calf, but it often takes subtler forms—career, wealth, technology, relationships, or even self-image. Whenever we give ultimate devotion to what is created instead of the Creator, we fall into the same trap as Israel.

How do we avoid it? By fixing our eyes on Jesus Christ. He is “the image of the invisible God” (Col. 1:15), the only One worthy of our worship. As we follow Him, we are transformed into His likeness, not into the lifelessness of idols.

Reject False Gods

Exodus 32:6 reminds us that idolatry never stands still. It drags us downward—fast. But Romans 1 reminds us, too, of the glory of God’s gospel, which rescues us from this spiral. May we reject the false gods of this world and worship the true and living God in Christ.

Let us examine our hearts. Are there golden calves, however subtle, that we are tempted to bow before? Let us cast them aside and cling to Christ, who alone gives life, truth, and salvation.

Lesson 11: Apostasy and Intercession (3ABN Sabbath School Panel)

 3ABN Sabbath School Panel

Lesson 11 - Apostasy and Intercession

Online Sabbath School Lesson: Exodus - Adult Bible Study Guides

3ABN Sabbath School Panel Website: 3ABN Sabbath School Panel Home | 2025 Quarter 3

Exodus Lesson 11 Apostasy and Intercession: https://the-undercover-adventist.blogspot.com/2025/09/sabbath-school-lesson-11-apostasy-and.html

Aaron’s Failure in Exodus 32:1–6

 

Aaron’s Failure in Exodus 32:1–6

Scripture Reading: Exodus 32:1–6

"When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, 'Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.'” (Ex. 32:1)

Exodus 32 records one of the darkest moments in Israel’s history—the making of the golden calf. It shows how quickly the people, left without Moses’ direct leadership, turned away from God. But it also shows how Aaron, the very one appointed to stand beside Moses, failed in the moment of testing. His leadership collapsed, and Israel plunged into idolatry.

Without Moses, the People Faltered

Moses was on the mountain with God, receiving the law and instructions for worship. Yet down below, the people grew restless. Their faith was tied too much to a visible leader rather than to the invisible God. Instead of trusting the Lord who had just brought them out of Egypt with mighty signs, they said, “As for this Moses… we don’t know what has happened to him.”

When faith depends only on a man, and not on God, it will fail when that man is absent.

Aaron Failed to Rise to the Occasion

In this critical hour, Aaron was left in charge. Instead of standing firm, he gave in to the people’s demands. Rather than calling them to patience and faith, he allowed himself to be swayed by their pressure. True leadership means pointing people to God even when it’s unpopular. But Aaron was silent where he should have been strong.

The People Gave Their Gold Willingly

The Israelites eagerly gave up their gold jewelry—the very treasures God had allowed them to take from Egypt. But instead of using it to honor God, they melted it down to form a calf. Then, shockingly, they proclaimed over it: “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!”

Just days earlier, the living God had delivered them from Pharaoh’s hand. Yet now they credited a lifeless idol for His mighty acts. What a tragedy—that people could be so blind, and a leader could allow such a blasphemy to stand.

Aaron’s Weakness: Fear of Man, Not Fear of God

Aaron’s failure was not just inaction but compromise. He feared the people more than he feared God. He tried to blend their demands with some form of worship, building an altar and proclaiming a feast “to the Lord” (v. 5). But half-hearted obedience is still disobedience. His weakness opened the door for full-blown rebellion.

This is the danger when leaders—or any of us—fear people’s opinions more than we fear the Lord.

Encouragement for Us Today

The story of Aaron is a warning—but also a call for us to stand firm where he fell. We, too, face pressures to compromise, to go along with the crowd, or to silence truth. But God calls us to faithfulness and courage.

Consider these verses of encouragement:

• Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

• Galatians 1:10 – “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

• 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.”

• Hebrews 13:6 – “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Stay Rooted in Jesus

Aaron’s leadership failed because he feared the people instead of fearing God. But his story warns us not to follow the same path. When we are pressured to compromise, let us remember: our God is greater than the opinions of men. May we stand strong, rooted in His Word, and live with courage to honor Him alone.