Wandering Hearts
Series: The God Who Rescues
November 15, 2020
Frank Foreman
Moses was in the presence of God, receiving the Ten Commandments, hearing the Law of God outlined for the nation of Israel. Sadly, while this was going on, the people grew restless and assumed the worst had befallen Moses. They reverted back to a familiar religious mindset, worshipping an object. ------------- The irony was, of course, that as God commanded not to have other gods before Him and not to make a graven image, that was exactly what they were doing. ------------- Moses played an active role in interceding for the nation while at the same time, he was addressing their sin and calling out for any who truly wanted to be on the Lord's side. The story stands as a sobering reminder of how quickly we can wander from true worship and commitment, but fortunately, it also is a blessed reminder of opportunity to come back to His side.
Episode Notes
BIG IDEA:
We are all be prone to wander from God... Expect correction to occur from a place of love.
2nd Timothy 3:16-17, All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
Pause to Consider: Why do you believe this story is included in Scripture?
SCENE 1 - Moses intervenes. Exodus 32:1-14
Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Genesis 18:23, Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”
SCENE 2 - Moses confronts. Exodus 32:15-24
2nd Samuel 12:7-9a, Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul... Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in His sight?
Pause to Consider: How may the story have been different if Nathan hadn’t confronted David?
SCENE 3 - Moses disciplines. Exodus 32:25-35
Numbers 25:7-9, When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose and left the congregation and took a spear in his hand and went after the man of Israel into the chamber and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman through her belly. Thus the plague on the people of Israel was stopped. Nevertheless, those who died by the plague were twenty-four thousand.
Pause to Consider: How can we guard against outside influences that seek to defile corrupt worship today?
Memory Verse: Exodus 32:26, ...then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD'S side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him.
NEXT STEP:
Don’t give up on others... Don’t give up on yourself... Even a wandering heart can return to the Lord’s side.
Content Copyright Belongs to New Horizons Christian Church
6607