A Journey Beyond the Golden Calf

How do we change? How do we move from where we are to where we want to be, especially in our spiritual lives? This is a question many of us grapple with. As we sit before a holy God, we know there are things within us that must change. But how do we change? How do we become more like God, more holy?

Many of us, by instinct, try harder. We put in more effort, hoping it will bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be. But personal effort alone is not the path to true transformation. I’ve experienced this firsthand. My own attempts at change, from childhood through various interventions, failed miserably. What changed me was something far beyond my own efforts: it was the presence and glory of God.

To truly change, we must stay hungry for God. We can’t rest on our past accomplishments or our knowledge. We must continually seek more of Him. Last week, we explored Exodus 32, where Israel’s rebellion with the golden calf highlighted their lack of hunger for God. This week, in Exodus 33 and 34, we see Moses’ mediation and God’s forgiveness, culminating in a renewed covenant.

The Pattern of Salvation

Exodus 32-34 outlines a pattern that mirrors our own salvation. We were once in rebellion against God. Jesus Christ mediated on our behalf, and we entered into a new covenant with Him. This journey, however, is not just about receiving God’s blessings. It’s about a deep, personal relationship with Him. Many people seek God’s blessings but not God Himself. When things don’t go their way, they abandon their faith. True followers of Christ seek Him, not just His gifts.

The Presence of God

In Exodus 33, God tells Moses to lead the people to the Promised Land but declares He will not go with them, fearing His wrath might consume them. Moses, understanding the futility of blessings without God’s presence, intercedes. He knows that without God’s presence, the Promised Land is meaningless.

This response from Moses should resonate with us. We should desire God’s presence more than His blessings. It’s His presence that makes everything holy. Without Him, our lives, no matter how blessed, are empty.

Show Me Your Glory

Moses builds a tent outside the camp to meet with God. He prays, “Show me your ways, that I may know you.” Moses desires to know the path that leads to God. Jesus, in the New Testament, declares He is the way, the truth, and the life. There is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ.

Walking by the Spirit, as Paul writes in Galatians 5, keeps us aligned with God’s desires. Our flesh battles against the Spirit, but by walking in the Spirit, we draw closer to God. Moses prays, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” He understands that without God, even the Promised Land is worthless. He desires God more than the blessings of the land.

Experiencing God’s Glory

Moses’ ultimate request is, “Please show me your glory.” Despite witnessing countless miracles, Moses hungers for more of God. This hunger for God’s presence should be our prayer as well. When God reveals His glory to Moses, He proclaims His name, revealing His character: merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

God’s name embodies His essence. His mercy, grace, patience, love, faithfulness, and forgiveness are not just actions He performs; they are who He is. Even His righteous anger reveals His holiness and justice.

The Transformative Power of God’s Presence

When Moses experiences God’s glory, he worships. His face radiates God’s glory, a visible transformation that causes the Israelites to fear. Moses veils his face, but when he meets with God, he removes the veil, basking in His presence. This ongoing communion with God continually renews Moses’ radiance.

This is how we change: by being in the presence of God. We pray for His ways, seek His presence, and yearn for His glory. In His presence, we are transformed.

Conclusion

Are we satisfied with the golden calf? Do we settle for temporary pleasures and miss out on the eternal satisfaction of knowing God? True change comes not from our efforts but from experiencing the glory of God. Let us hunger and thirst for more of Him, seeking His presence above all else. Show us Your glory, Lord, and change us forever.