We are still studying Moses in class.  Interesting.  Yesterday, we looked at the events surrounding the first set of commandments.  The set that Moses broke.  But the real lesson ended up being about his brother Aaron.  What a contrast in personalities.

Moses left Aaron in charge of the people.  But after Moses had been gone to the mountain for a long time, the people told Aaron that Moses had deserted them and asked Aaron to make them a god to lead them on to where they were going.  So weak-willed, willie-nillie, want-to-be-popular, wishy-washy Aaron said,"Okay, bring your gold earrings and I will melt them down and fashion a gold calf with fire and a graving tool."  Which he did, and then built an alter in front of it and said, "There, have at it.  Do what you want."  He didn't even say, "Let's wait on Moses one more day."

The people worshiped the golden calf, ate, drank, and played--naked, out of control.  The kind of god that many people today worship.  A "There, have at it" god.  People today are like people in every age.  Prone to wander.  Prone to sin.  Back in the sixties they said, "If it feels good, do it."

But Moses was broken and distressed at what the people had done.  And especially at Aaron.  He asked Aaron, "What did these people do to you to cause you to bring such a horrible sin to them?"  And Aaron lied.  "Hey, cool it.  You know what these people are like.  They brought me a bunch of gold and I threw it all into a fire.  And guess what.  A gold calf came out."  In other words, "Not my fault."  He didn't mention the graving tool he used to fashion the calf--or building and adding an altar.

Moses was a man of integrity.  He was furious.  Aaron was not a man of integrity.  He refused to take responsibility.  God was even more angry than Moses.  God said to Moses, "Let me alone so that my anger can grow.  I'm going to consume and destroy these people and I will make a great nation of you, Moses."  But Moses, being the man that he was, prayed one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible.  "No, Lord.  Think of what the Egyptians will say.  That you brought these people out of Egypt only to kill them?  Think.  You promised to make a great nation of Abraham, Isaac and Israel (Jacob).
Remember your promise to them  You didn't promise to make a great nation out me.  You need to reconsider what you are saying."  And God did.  Moses, prayed.  God changed His mind.  God listens to the prayers of Godly people.  Godly people with a godly purpose can redirect God's plans!!!