November 11 – Exodus 32:25-29

 November 11 – Exodus 32:25-29

²⁵ And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies), 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. ²⁷ And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” ²⁸ And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses. And that day about three thousand men of the people fell. ²⁹ And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the Lord, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.”

This passage shows Moses asking if the Israelites’ hearts are all in for God.  The Levites quickly step forward and Moses sought death for anyone who was not.  Three thousand men fell that day because they were unwilling to admit their sin and were unapologetic, but in God’s mercy, he let the other 2,997,000 live.  The people thought of God’s timing as a delay, but God’s timing is perfect. 

Ask God today to help you trust in his timing.  It is perfect. 

Heavenly Father, I must admit these verses don’t make sense to how we live today.  I can’t imagine killing my son, brother or neighbor because of my sin, but I also know blood must be shed to atone for man’s sin.  I am so glad I live on this side of the cross because all the children of Israel had to do to sacrifice for their sin and make atonement seems very harsh, but I also know that they knew that sin was serious.  Although I am very glad I don’t have to do the things they did, our society takes sin so lightly I have to think it is because they saw the blood shed back then and we just read about it and don’t have the experience to see how serious our sin truly is.  To see blood shed for my sins…in front of me as they did, would certainly give a different thought of the gravity of our actions.  It has become almost easy for us to say, “Jesus atoned for my sins!” but without the experience of what a blood sacrifice means, they have become merely words for so many.  Help me not ever let them be just words.  Help me always realize that when I sin, I am sinning against You.  Not only am I sinning against You, but it put Jesus on the cross and required His blood. 

Father, help me never to take sin lightly.

In jesus’ name.

Amen!