You know, you’d think we’d be changed by now.
Changed into 100 percent appreciation of God’s grace and submission to His will.
After all, our God is the most amazingly gracious person in the universe.
And we know that nothing changes the heart faster than recognition of undeserved mercy shown toward us.
Or toward others.
As in the incredible mercy God showed toward Aaron, Moses’ brother.
You’ll recall that Aaron, the older brother, messed up in a huge way while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the 10 Commandments and other laws from God.
You’ll recall that Aaron decided that Moses apparently was not coming back and that he, Aaron, was going to be the spiritual go-to guy and appease the idol-hearted Israelites and do what they wanted.
That’s why he fashioned a golden calf out of the gold they brought to him.
And you’ll recall that Aaron did nothing as the Israelites danced and worshipped the idols and some engaged in lustful immorality.
I could go on with the shameful account but suffice it to say that Aaron’s judgment and behavior were inexcusable.
But God didn’t zap him dead.
I have to believe that Moses prayed to God for mercy to be shown his brother.
In view of this moral/spiritual meltdown by Aaron, God had to find somebody else to become Israel’s high priest, right?
Uh… no.
“Are you kiddin’ me, God? Aaron? After what he did with the golden calf?”
That’s right. Aaron was chosen by God as Israel’s high priest, the one who would intercede with God for the sake of Israel’s forgiveness and awareness of how to worship and serve.
Wow.
“So Moses followed the Lord’s instructions, and the whole community assembled at the Tabernacle entrance. Moses announced to them, “This is what the Lord has commanded us to do!” Then he presented Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. He put the official tunic on Aaron and tied the sash around his waist. He dressed him in the robe, placed the ephod on him, and attached the ephod securely with its decorative sash. Then Moses placed the chestpiece on Aaron and put the Urim and the Thummim inside it. He placed the turban on Aaron’s head and attached the gold medallion—the badge of holiness—to the front of the turban, just as the Lord had commanded him.” (Leviticus 8:4-9)
Listen, if God is willing to use a failed sinner like Aaron in such an important way, He is willing to use you and me in very important ways IF we’ll experience the change of heart that Aaron clearly did.
Please don’t EVER write off another believer who experiences spiritual failure, perhaps even in a public manner.
Instead, pray for him or her to experience and appreciate the amazing grace of God.
After all, who better to exhort others toward God’s gracious love than one whose life was restored and transformed by that grace?
As always, I love you
Martin
