10-05-2025 A Nation in Need
Text: Exodus 31:1-8
When we look around, it’s easy to think that perhaps God has abandoned this nation. When we study the history of how our nation was founded, it’s easy to see how He was at work in the hearts and minds of our founding fathers. But in fact, He is and always has been at work in this and all nations around the world since the beginning of time. And, as we study our Bible, it’s easy to see how God worked in all nations through the centuries. This morning I’d like us to look at His work in the nation of Israel and then at His work in the growth of our own nation.
Today’s text is from Exodus 32:1-8 where Moses wrote: “(1) And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the Mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. (2) And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earring, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. (3) And all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears and brought them unto Aaron. (4) And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he has made it a molten calf: and they said, These be your gods, O Israel, which brought you up out of the land of Egypt. (5) And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord. (6) And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play. (7) And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for your people, which you brought out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. (8) They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, these be your gods, O Israel, which have brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
God had delivered the nation of Israel from Egypt and made them His chosen people. But while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving God’s law, instead of being grateful for what God was doing for them, they became impatient, complained all the time, demanded and got an idol that they could worship in place of the one true God.
It’s clear that Israel had quickly forgotten why and how they had gotten to where they were. Earlier in Exodus we are told of the difficult life the people were living as slaves in Egypt. Their taskmasters were cruel, their sons were drowned at birth to decrease the growth of their population, and they cried out to God for independence from Egypt.
Verse 4 of our text shows that Israel needed to be reminded to remember what God has provided for them. He spoke to Moses from the burning bush as recorded in Exodus 3. Moses was a baby that was saved from the death ordered to reduce the slave population. As a result of his conversation with God at the burning bush, he eventually went to the Pharaoh declaring that he came to deliver his people out of Egypt. There were plagues brought on the Egyptians to convince the Pharaoh to free them. God’s people were saved from death at the Passover, God opened the Red Sea so they could cross to safety, then closed the waters killing the approaching Egyptian army. Throughout their journey to the Promised Land, God was with them during day in the cloud pillar and the fire pillar in the dark of night. He even provided them with food in the form of mana, and water from a rock as they wandered in the desert.
Verses 7-8 show us that Israel had a need to remember God’s purpose because they clearly had forgotten that they were God’s people, that He answered their prayers and brought them out of Egypt, promised to give them land, chose them to be witnesses to other nations of the one true God, and give His Word to the world.
As we study the entire Bible, we learn time and time again how Israel pulled away from God only to return to Him when they were defeated. Each time they did this their nation severely declined. Time after time they would come back to God, only to pull away from Him again. In AD 70 God’s patience ran out. He turned His back on them resulting in the nation’s complete destruction by the Romans Empire.
Like Israel, the colonists in the New World that became the United States, came from humble beginnings. Over time the oppression from England increased. They needed courage to declare and fight for independence from their English oppressor that had an established and well-funded government with superior military forces working against them. Even though freedom seemed an impossible dream to many there were those such as George Washingtin who prayed for an independent and free nation.
God also had a purpose for the United States of America. He guided the founding fathers in establishing a place where people could worship Him freely, a nation that could send missionaries around the world, and a nation that that would be a friend to His people, Israel.
Like He did with Israel, God also provided for our new nation. With faith and prayer the revolutionary colonists ultimately defeated a stronger, more powerful and more equipped army to gain independence from England. When the new nation later split apart in civil war, God listened to the prayers of the people and preserved the nation. Since the beginning, God has continually blessed us with bountiful harvests, prosperity, and worldwide recognition.
But when we look around our nation today, we can see that our nation has fallen away from God. There was a time when going to church on Sunday was the priority. But that isn’t the priority anymore. I grew up when the Bible was read in the classroom every morning. Today it’s very sad to see the frightening lack of emphasis on God everywhere. Too many people today don’t see the need to have God in their lives. This change is now manifested in the decline we see in civility, morality, and the regard for law and order among the people.
Our society has declined to point where there is little respect for the dignity of human life. Abortions can be had on demand. When you disagree with someone too many believe that it’s OK to kill them for thinking differently. Those who have sworn to uphold laws disregard them and let dangerous criminals walk free to commit the same crimes repeatedly. Too many people have been convinced that there are more than two genders, males can have babies, and feelings are more important than reality. Politicians feel it’s OK to lie to people to ensure that they remain in positions of power. It looks like our nation is heading down the path of destruction just like the ancient Israelites.
However, there’s still a glimmer of hope that America will get back to the basics of what our founding fathers dreamed of when they fought to build this nation. It appears that there is a resurgence of faith, family, and love of country among young people that is taking hold throughout the nation today. We must pray that this is something that will continue to grow and have a positive effect on our future. This can happen if we pray hard and pray often. We must always be thankful for what God has done both for our nation in the past and in our own lives when we made the commitment to accept Jesus. We can help fuel this reawakening by being a living example to all those around us of the freedom and truth that flows from the Bible and from our personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s possible to bring change today, but it will take courage and a lot of constant prayer.
As we get ready to remember the suffering and death of Jesus through the Communion Service this morning, pray for the courage to share with others just how your life has been changed for the better because of what Jesus did for all who choose to accept Him through faith. Put aside your fears and become boldly for Jesus every day. When we do this, we can never go wrong.
Until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you, may He shine His light on you, show you grace, and give you peace in all the days ahead.