It was a terrible day at camp.
When Moses saw with his own eyes what God saw, Moses also lost it. He threw down the stone tablets with the instructions, and broke them.
After hearing Aaron side of the story, Moses called the priests into action. Apparently, the priests are not just agents of blessing, they are also agents of judgement and deliverers of punishment.
The priests went through camp and killed three thousand males.
Moses then went back to God and begged for God to forgive them. Once again, Moses shows a leader's heart. He says, "please forgive them, or kill me with them."
God says he will only kill those who have sinned. And so a plaque sweeps across the Hebrews' camp.
The sin of disloyalty to God, of turning to other gods is a big deal to God. The bloody scene at the Hebrew camp is a stark picture of how big of a deal it is. Humans, since that day 4000 years ago, have never been able to stay faithful by our own effort. It is Jesus and his death of the cross on our behalf that have finally freed us from having to suffer the penalty of disloyal ourselves. Jesus died for us so we don't have to died ourselves.
Write
Think about your faith story: how have you been disloyal to God, and what kind of consequence have you had to live through?
Presently, how are you tempted to be disloyal? What kind of consequences from disloyalty to God are you still living with?
Who do you know is making a choice to compromise their loyalty to God?
Pray
What
is God saying to you today? What's Good News to you?
Talk to God about the times when you have been disloyal, and the consequences you have to suffer. Thank God for the ways he always forgives you, and makes a way for you to come back under his care and protection.
Pray about the relationships and situations where you are choosing between God and some other priority. Ask God for the wisdom and support to trust him and honours him.
Pray for your friend who is choosing something over their loyalty to God. Pray for the wisdom and opportunity to come along side them and support them in honouring God.
Pray for an experience of God's love, grace and mercy in the way he is always for you, and the way he grows you even when you veer from him..