New Perspective on Waiting

When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.” Exodus 32:1

This is the beginning of a story that has always puzzled me. I have never been able to fathom what would entice God's people to turn from him so quickly, or why they would ask Aaron to make them an idol that they could worship. I have always had sort of a "righteous indignation" about this whole episode in the history of Israel.

As I have been studying through the story of the Exodus, I have become even more puzzled by the behavior of the children of Israel than ever. As I have read how the Lord made allowances for the people's faithlessness, how they continually tested His patience, how they grumbled and complained, and whined... I haven't really been able to muster up much sympathy for them. And as I came to the story of the golden calf, and I looked at Aaron's behavior there, I admit, I was almost angry at Aaron! I mean, was he really that stupid? The people had heard the actual voice of God. Aaron had actually been up on the lower part of the mountain for an up close, personal encounter with the Lord (Exodus 24:10-11)! But while God was giving Moses instructions about how he was to ordain Aaron for an important role in ministry, Aaron was becoming the people's leader in idol worship.

But today, I am looking at that account again, and I am beginning to muster a little compassion for Aaron and the people. I think maybe I am beginning to understand a little how it may have been for the children of Israel.

They are waiting. After a lifetime of slavery and oppression, God, with many great signs and wonders, delivered them from oppression. He went ahead of them, showing them the way, taking them on a journey to "the Promised Land". But they're not in the Promised Land yet. They can't see it. They know God is powerful, but they're sitting out in the wilderness now... just waiting.

The Bible says that Moses was up on the mountain for forty days and forty nights. I've never thought of that as being a very long time before... But that's nearly six weeks! That was entire grading period when I was in school! A lot can happen in six weeks!

And so today, I look back at this story with new understanding. I've been waiting on God lately. I thought He was taking me to the Promised Land, and it seems He has taken me to the wilderness. I was sure that I heard His voice. It was clear. There were no doubts. But an interesting thing happens over time... as you sit at the base of the mountain, just waiting to see what will happen next... You begin to look around. You start to second-guess yourself. Was it REALLY the voice of God you heard? Has all of this been some kind of mistake? How long can I really sit here waiting? Don't I need to get up and get busy DOING something? I mean, if God's not ready to do something here, maybe I need to go somewhere else and look for Him...

Don't worry! I'm not about to go off and build myself a golden calf! But I am understanding better what prompted the children of Israel to do such a thing. I can read the rest of their story and see that God did eventually take them to the Promised Land. He always did have their best interest at heart. They would pay the price for their disobedience, but never did God forsake them. He walked with them. He waited with them. He showed them the way.

Lord, as I am waiting, help me to wait in confidence. Keep me from doing something stupid, Lord! Help me to rest in what I know, and not try to get ahead of You or try to make things happen on my own. I want to make this journey YOUR way!

If you find yourself waiting today, be encouraged. God has not forsaken you. Don't you give up on Him!

...Just a thought...