What possible reason could there be for us to know all the details about a table or a robe that was used thousands of years ago, and is lost to history? Why would this be included in the Bible?
If you think about it, there is way more detail here than we need. I mean, do I really need to know that the incense altar was 18 inches square and 3 feet high? How is my life different from knowing that?
The answer isn’t found in the detail, it’s in the bigger picture. I think that’s where I have made my mistake when reading these passages before. I want them to make sense by the chapter and paragraph, and God is using them to illustrate a 2,000 year event. Think of it like this: when you zoom way in on a digital picture…I mean “way in” to where you can see each pixel, the larger picture is lost. In the beauty of how God works, each pixel has purpose and meaning in itself…but they also form a much larger picture that one generation couldn’t see. In fact, 50 generations had a better view, but still didn’t have the whole picture. You and I are looking back at 6,000 years of recorded history, and each chapter or paragraph is one pixel in the larger diorama. It’s beautiful…so complex and so intricate, a person could stand and marvel at this picture for a lifetime, every day spotting new details and drawing new meaning. And the truly incredible reality is: we still can’t see the whole picture.
The Grand Canyon is a beautiful place. Some of the worlds best photographers have plied their craft there, stating that the canyon changes from beauty to beauty depending on the season, and even the time of day. How the light hits the canyon walls brings out new and different beauty day after day. But if you zoom in very, very close…all you see is a rock.
Don’t get lost in the details in this passage. Take the long view, and you will see God painting a picture of holiness. God is beauty and perfection, perfect order operating in perfect harmony with purpose and strength. Every movement has meaning and brings joy. Even the hesitations between His actions have significance, and create praise in heaven and on earth. Who can possible understand Him? No one. In a word, God is Holy.
What about us? We try to measure up, but our success is limited at best. Not only will we forget to burn incense on the altar at the correct time, but we will create idols and bow down to them. God’s revelation of Himself reveals that we are deeply flawed and unable to comply with what we agree is right. Even when we try, we fall short. God’s people haven’t been out of Egypt for 6 months, they have seen over a dozen powerful life altering miracles in that time (or more). The presence of God is settled on the mountain right in front of them at this moment, and the elder of Israel, who just a few days ago ATE A MEAL with God are now among the people. And still, even given all of this….they bow before a false image that they created themselves.
Lord, what is wrong with us? Why are we like this? The thought that we are so broken and ignorant brings tears to my eyes. How is it that you haven’t wiped humanity off the face of the earth? Why do you still put up with me? If I were you, I don’t think I would put up with me…..and I like me.
I wonder what Moses was thinking as he came down the mountain, having spent 40 days in God’s presence – to see the people dancing and celebrating in “pagan revelry”? I think I would have wanted to quit.
But Moses loved the people, so instead of walking away he becomes angry and punishes them. That’s exactly what God does in this same passage. He loves us too much to simply wipe us out, or walk away. So in His anger He punishes the people. And He probably does the same thing still today. I’m sure there are times when we still deserve it.
It’s all about holiness. This is revelation of God’s purity and perfection, with the invitation to enter into relationship with Him. This the realization that we cannot be near to God, or obedient to God even when we try hard…because of our fallen nature. But this isn’t the whole picture….help is coming in the person of Jesus Christ, who will cleanse us from that inner desire to drift away. Help is coming from the Holy Spirit, who will walk each day with us, and equip us to be qualified for the task.
But those pixels won’t be added to the picture for many years.
Faithfully,
PR