For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day. And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin. And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold. Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin--; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written. And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book. Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, Mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made. (Exo 32:29-35)
Moses, acting as GOD's agent, with just and righteous indignation, begins to exact justice and punishment upon Israel for their sin against the Lord. After the slaughter of about 3000 men, Moses entreats the Lord for mercy and forgiveness. GOD tells him that sIn is sIn, and must be accounted for. Moses is to lead the people, but he cannot die for them, nor pay for their sIn. GOD plagues the people because of their sIn, but does not destroy all of them as they deserve.
However, there is one that is greater than Moses, who did come and die for His people, and for the sins of the whole world. Jesus Christ, GOD in the flesh, gave His life a ransom for many, for we all have sinned and come short of the Glory of GOD. The wages of sIn is death, so GOD would be right to destroy us all, but in His mercy, and because of His love, He sent His only begotten Son that we might have life. We who are His, have received Jesus Christ by faith in His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary. Now He lives in us to continue and accomplish His work of our redemption and reconciliation with GOD.
Now, His people are to be about the Father's business. We are to love one another and minister to the hurting and in need, as GOD gives the increase. We are to disciple one another in love and in His Word, that we might grow thereby. We are to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ and His payment for our sIn. As we go, we are to tell others of His judgments, mercy, and love, so that those who hear the Gospel might believe, and believing have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD is Holy and must punish sIn, but in His mercy GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet
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