Monday: Read Exodus 32:1-6
Just a little bit ago the people of God were given commands and a promise. God would always be with them and they just had to follow a few rules. Well things were slow in camp when Moses was talking to God (you know how meetings can drag on and on :-/). So they asked Aaron to make them something to worship in the meantime.
- You may never have made a calf out of god, but I am betting that there have been times when you did some things that you were not proud of. This idea of an idol was not Aaron’s but he did run with it. When was a time in your life where you went along with the crowd or bent to the will of others knowing it went against your principles or the will of God? How did you feel during and after the event?
- Today take some time to think about what those things or people are that can pull you from that path that God has laid before you. When dealing with pressure remember 3 things so that you might stand firm in your faith.
- Speak the truth. Explain to friends or even yourself at times what the consequences are.
- Stand up for yourself. Decide that no one will change you except for God.
- Stand up for God. God’s plan for our lives is BEST so don’t settle for less and don’t bail on God.
Tuesday Read Exodus 32:19-35
- Moses comes down the mountain and hears what sounds like war at the camp. What would your reaction have been if you were Moses? How does Aaron respond?
- At times we try and pass blame or play the role of the victim in hopes that we don’t get in trouble. However when we pass things off or take the victim role we lose control over our lives. What do you struggle with “owning” as your own? How might you begin to regain control of that?
Wednesday: Read Exodus 33:25-29
- What is the reaction and punishment for the disobedience of the people?
- When you are confronted with wrong doing what is your gut reaction to what is happening. Do you want justice to be served? Do you easily forgive? Do you want to enlist others to help you kill the 3000 involved? When and where does God show up in your discernment of how to deal with difficult situations?
Thursday: Read Exodus 33:12-23
Moses must have been feeling really good about what he was up to to talk to God in this way. But God also responds to Moses.
- What does this tell us about the character of God.
- What would you like to have an honest conversation with God about. Why wait?
- Take some time in prayer right now and offer up your concerns and worries to God.
Friday: Exodus 34:6-7
These two short verses are a succinct description of God as he passes by Moses.
- Of these 2 verses where do you most personally identify, with the grace or the judgment and high standards?
- To be a disciple is to get to know the full scope of who God is. God is gracious and just and that is a hard thing to understand.
- Pray that God may open your heart to the fullness of God’s character.
Saturday:Reread Exodus 3 & Exodus 33:12-23
This is a very different Moses than the one who we saw making all of the excuses not to go back to Egypt. In being in relationship with God and following what God has in store for him, Moses grows by leaps and bounds.
- Reflect on the changes we have seen in Moses in the past few weeks.
- Now what are the changes you can see in yourself as you have followed God?