The Israelites panicked when Moses delayed on the mountain. They felt as though they had been left in the wilderness without a leader. Unable to trust God, they sought a visible substitute. Aaron made a golden calf that they regarded as their god who had brought them out of Egypt. We, too, can be tempted to create a god of our own making—not the God revealed in Scripture, but the god we want to believe in.

Through their idolatry, Israel broke the covenant, and God declared that he would destroy them and start a new nation through Moses. Moses pleaded with God to forgive Israel on two grounds. First, if God’s people, Israel, were to perish in the wilderness, the name of God would be dishonored among the nations. Second, God’s promise to give the land of Canaan to the patriarchs would be broken. Hearing Moses’ prayer, God relented from his judgment. Just as Moses stood between God and Israel as an intercessor, Christ now intercedes for us. Through him, we live with the hope of the promised kingdom of God. Idolatry creates a god to satisfy our own desires, but faith lays down those desires to worship the God who created us, saved us, and continues to lead us. We are also called to grow as shepherds who earnestly intercede on behalf of God’s people.
Application: Lord, help me trust you and faithfully keep the covenant relationship with you.
One Word: Raise intercessory prayer servants