The 9 O clock
Service Sheffield 1986 – an alternative form of service that allegations of
sexual and emotional abuse
(1)
The quick descent (v1, v8)
Moses was up the mountain for 6 weeks
Our natural inclination to idolatory – not just a primitive thing
Mental as well as metal idols
The last words of 1 Jn: “little children, keep yourself from idols!”
Idolatry is a constant danger
Cf. Galatians – “I am astonished that you are deserting the gospel so
quickly”
Ex 32 not just irrelevant history. This could be repeated in any
generation
Self-indulgent religion
(2)
The weak leader (vv22-24)
Cf. Genesis 3 – blaming everyone else
Aaron a great
leader, v important, Moses’ right hand man, the spokesman to pharaoh and the
people, 1st high priest
Dean Liddle Sermon
on the death of Aaron preached at St Paul’s in 18**
He crumbles and
compromises on this terrible day
Aaron tried
damage limitation (vv5-6)
He was faced with
intolerable pressure
Vv21, 25
This great man
was at fault
He wanted to
please the people, he gave way to pressure
Perhaps he wanted
to find a middle way, which was impossible
Avoiding
confrontation
Wanting to be
popular
The C of E?
Strong leadership
(3)
The faithless festival
V19 – Moses’ indignation
(i)
Synchretism
(vv5-6) – compromise – unifying different religious systems
John Hick. The uniqueness of Jesus downplayed
Calf / bull / strength / john bull – English strength
Substitutes a man-made religion for God
(ii)
Sensuality
(v6b, v25) – casting off of all restraint – sexual dancing
(iii)
Shouting
(v18) – “sound” 3X – Acts 19:34 – shouting for hours, great is Artemis of the
Ephesians
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