Golden Calf

In Exodus 32, the making of the golden calf was a deep spiritual lesson to me. As we pursued the Life Study of Exodus on message 174, the Lord enlightened me to see many things related to my living and service. 

The principle of the golden-calf idol is that wealth and treasures—gifts from God, both material and spiritual—are not properly used for God’s purpose. We need to be careful regarding both material things and spiritual gifts received from God, for we may not use these gifts properly for God’s purpose. 

The golden calf was made out of the golden materials brought out of Egypt which were meant for the building of the tabernacle of God. However, when Moses was communing with God on the mountain top, below the mountain was transpiring something of exact opposite. The high priest Aron made a golden calf! It's almost hard to believe it. But that was the fact, and spiritually is still the fact today.

Whatever gifts God gave to us must be used for God's purpose; be it spiritual or physical, everything is for God, out from God. But how many times did we use God's gifts rightfully as it should be? Any gift of God used for anything other than God or God's purpose is making a golden calf! And the one who misuses God's gifts is an idolater. According to this principle, I only have to confess that I need the Lord more to not misuse His gifts in any way.

Later, when Moses witnessed such idolatry out of the golden calf, he dealt with it in a very wise way. First, he petitioned God on behalf of the idolaters, reminding God of His promises, which even let God to repent of the evil intent he had upon idolaters. Second, he destroyed the golden calf, burning and crushing it into gold dust, and made the idolaters drink of this dust, perhaps as a chastisement and a negative memorable reminder. Third, he sanctified and separated those who were for God against those who were not, even leading to the killing of three thousand men, including the relatives of those carrying out the judging-killing spree. 

Once, one realises his being an idolater, all these dealings must take place to be fully delivered and completely sanctified. This message touched my being deeply. I am no exception as far as the principle is concerned, and I must deal with God's gifts abused, whenever the Lord shined on me. In fact, the Lord specifically led me to deal with certain "idolatrous" items, one by one, step by step. 

O may I be fully sanctified as those of the Levites! Lord, have mercy.