How difficult it is when we read about the negative parts of history and how these repeat themselves. It is easy to criticize the Israelites for creating a golden calf, worshiping it, and being blatantly idolatrous and disobedient to God. It is as if they did not care that God would be angered by their actions, and they still opted to follow their own will. This rebelliousness damaged their relationship with God. This was a relationship that should have been treasured and protected.

My husband always reminds our congregation that God is a god of love, but he is also a god of consuming fire. Of course He would be angered by their actions. God threatened to destroy them because of their “stiff-neckedness”. He let them know that he would not go with them on their journey to the promised land. They did not deserve his presence. Even so, God told them an angel would be going before them to guide them into the promised land and drive out the Canaanites. Even when God is hurt and disappointed in us, His grace and mercy are immeasurable. His love never fails.

The encouraging part of this story is that the Israelites repented, mourned, and even removed their ornaments to show God that they were sorry for their actions. 

Today, if we are acting like the stiff-necked Israelites, in disobedience, we have the opportunity to repent before our creator. We can go to him in humility and ask for the forgiveness of our sins. We can ask for our names to be written in the book of life. We can ask for God to allow us into heaven, the eternal home of all who surrender to God and walk in obedience to his Word. 

Author: Cenida Suyen

Other Lenten readings for today:

• Psalm 105:1-42
• Romans 4:1-12