The Price of Dishonesty We all know that Moses went up on Mt. Sinai and received the 10 commandments, right? And it is in the Ten Commandments that we learn that no one is to make a carven image to represent either God or another god. So the Israelites acted out of ignorance and simply reverted back to the religious practices they had witnessed for at least 400 years in Egypt After all they really didn’t understand what was going on, at least that is what they said Exodus 32:1 “Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Come make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.”

The Chain of events from the Crossing of the Red Sea Ex 14:10-14 The children of Israel were backed up against the Red Sea, with Pharaoh’s army chasing them. They turn on Moses and accuse him of bringing them to their deaths “Do not be afraid. Stand till, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today…. The Lord will fight for you…” To this point God’s demonstration of power had been destructive and aimed at Egypt, now they would see that Jehovah would save them This point was not overlooked by them vs. 31 To the Golden Calf

A Series of Monumental Events Exodus 13 – Pillar of cloud and fire Exodus 15 – Bitter Waters made sweet Exodus 16 – Manna from Heaven Exodus 17 – Water from the Rock Exodus 17 – Victory over the Amalekites cloud and the fire lead them 13:22 Each of these miracles, with the exception of the battle with Amalek came after Israel complained. At least twice they claimed that they were going to die If God did not do something These were expressions of their lack of faith in the God that had delivered them from Pharaoh in such a miraculous way 17:6-7 These events should have caused them to believe and trust in the Lord,

Why was Israel at Sinai? Already under a covenant Already given the sign of the covenant Requirement of the covenant (obedience) established The Lord came to Sinai to speak to Israel Events at Sinai so that they may not sin Exodus 19 After 3 months of travel Israel came to Mt. Sinai

The Great Lie of Israel “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” Exodus 32:1 This is clearly a lie when viewed in light of the events of chapter 24 24:7 – Moses wrote the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people 24:10 – Aaron, Nabab, Abihu, and the 70 elders “saw the God of Israel”

The Great Lie of Israel The Result of the Lie: God does not accept our deceptions He expects all to obey His will The result of the lie is death This is clearly a lie when viewed in light of the events of chapter 24 24:7 – Moses wrote the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people 24:10 – Aaron, Nabab, Abihu, and the 70 elders “saw the God of Israel”

“Who changed the truth of God into a Lie” The Self Serving Nature of Dishonesty “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses…we do not know what has become of him.” Changed the truth to serve the creature…self Seen as they served their own wanton desires God gave them over to this lie “Who changed the truth of God into a Lie” Romans 1:25

“Who changed the truth of God into a Lie” The Self Serving Nature of Dishonesty “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses…we do not know what has become of him.” The most dangerous deception is self deception Exodus 32:4 Such deception comes at great cost The result is a heart that loves not the truth Jeremiah 5:30-31 “Who changed the truth of God into a Lie” Romans 1:25

Do we lie to our own destruction? “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses…we do not know what has become of him.” “as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” 2 Peter 3:16

By ignoring the need for strict obedience: Do we lie to our own destruction? “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses…we do not know what has become of him.” By ignoring the need for strict obedience: We are to obey in the big and the little To claim love without obedience is a lie

By refusing to acknowledge the need for saving grace: Do we lie to our own destruction? “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses…we do not know what has become of him.” By refusing to acknowledge the need for saving grace: We lie when we refuse the gospel on any level Thinking ignorance excuses sin

By trusting in our own wisdom rather than God Do we lie to our own destruction? “Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses…we do not know what has become of him.” By trusting in our own wisdom rather than God God has provided us with many signs so that we might believe Do we deceive ourselves by not committing ourselves to Him?

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 While Israel wanted Moses to intercede for them because of their fear of the Lord Those who honestly open seek Him call for His return Can we say “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!”