Exodus 32:6 “Then, they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”
Early morning routines vary with the individual. Mine includes brushing my teeth, making the bed, and sipping on coffee. But topping all our lists should be a quiet time with our Heavenly Father. If we need a reminder of its importance, take a glimpse into scripture at the woes of the Israelites. Their story reveals what happens when our focus turns elsewhere.
Witnessing the plagues of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea filled Israel with undeniable faith in the Great I Am. Yet, a few chapters later, we are astonished as their memory of a great God dissolved. With Moses delayed on Mt. Sinai, Israel “turned aside quickly” from God and diverted their focus to fear. Gathering up precious gold, they convinced Aaron to fashion a god “to go before” them. Oh, how quickly replaced was the God who had not only gone before them, but also behind them and surrounded them with His mighty protection.
Sadly, Exodus 32 portrays Israel as excited to worship their man-made god. In place of honor to the Creator of the Universe, they turned to worship the very items He created, rising early to bow down to an idol of gold, satisfy their hunger, and play. The heart of their loving and protective God must have torn asunder as the echoes of their celebration and the aroma of their sacrifices rose from the camp. Have no doubt, their choice to focus on self rather than God brought them much difficulty.
This unfortunate chapter in the life of Israel leaves us shaking our heads in disbelief as their abominable deception leaps off the pages of scripture. Yet, the take-away from this story requires us some painful soul-searching: Are we guilty of the same? What is our priority; rising and play or rising to pray?
As the sunrise greets our day, is communion with the Great I Am our first conversation? Or do we, like Israel, replace trust in God with trust in self, with no desire to approach the Father? If so, have we fashioned ourselves as our own idols and bowed down to our own paths, offering God no recognition and honor?
Launching the morning void of God and centering our every thought around the excitement of our day, we too, may discover a day filled with difficulties, for that is how the misplaced priorities of Israel played out. Perhaps rising first to pray and commune with the Great I Am will fill us with a peace and strength not found when we rise first to play.
Father God, forgive our sinful priorities when we rise to play before we stop to pray.
Blessings,
Rita Cochrane