Murray punched the elevator button and waited. He couldn’t get off the 36^th floor—or the tower as the employees called it—fast enough. The bell rang and the doors opened. He shuffled onto it, shoulders slouching. He checked his watch. Had he really been sequestered for twelve hours in that small, stuffy room.

He rubbed his temples hoping to relieve the migraine. That’s what this entire day had been—a headache. The board had approved his rules after hours of grueling discussions.

Murray leaned against the side of the elevator wall and shut his eyes. Within seconds, the bell rang announcing his arrival to first floor, jarring him awake.

I must be exhausted to have fallen asleep that quickly.

The doors opened and loud music blasted his ears. Excited voices filled the hall. What was happening and why were people still here?

Aiden greeted him outside the lunchroom. “Hey, you’re finally done. Listen, we’re having a party? Come and join us.”

Murray raised an eyebrow. “For what?”

“The employees came up with a new plan to save money. Surprisingly, it works while still giving them shorter hours and more vacation. They’re just celebrating their efforts now.” He grabbed Murray’s arm, steering him through the partying men and women.

Aiden shoved the plan in Murray’s face. “Read it. It’s golden.”

Murray glanced at the paper and clenched his jaw.

“Why did you let them do this?”

“They were restless.”

“So what. I just spent hours with the board and this ruins everything.” He threw his papers on the floor. Ripping up their plan into little pieces he threw it in the air. It floated to the ground like confetti.

Murray glanced at Aiden, eyes glaring. “You had no right to lead them into this.”

He stomped out of the room, leaving his staff in silence.

Can you imagine how frustrated Moses must have been after spending all that time on the mountain only to find his people sinning against God? Hadn’t they learned anything? And why did Aaron let them do it?

Let’s see what we can learn from it.

Moses got angry, but did he sin? I can imagine that Moses was exhausted after coming down from the mountain, and seeing his people worshiping a golden calf made him angry. Why wouldn’t it? We touched briefly on idols last week and how we should be worshiping the one true God. Moses knew this and thought the Israelites did too. And Aaron had organized it. How frustrated Moses must have been! Weren’t they listening? He probably felt he didn’t measure up in their eyes or why else would they do this? However, did he sin in his anger? I don’t think so. He was human. He broke his tablets and burned the golden calf. Do we commit sins when we’re angry? Probably, but do we recognize them as such? We need to confess, ask for forgiveness, and then move on.

Moses brought order back to the camp. After the golden calf incident, Moses moved on, and brought back order. He saw that Aaron had let them run wild, so Moses reeled them in like a fisherman does his catch. Once we’ve moved on we also need to do the same. Bring order back to our lives. Thank God for His forgiveness. Worship Him. Then we’ll be blessed!

Moses still went to bat for the people. Even after finding them sinning, Moses went to God and pleaded for the Israelites. In Genesis 32, verse 32 is says, “please forgive their sin.” That tells us how much he loved them. Would we do the same? Also, he took the ownership on himself. The rest of that verse says, “But if not, then blot me out of the book you have written.” Wow. This reveals Moses character. He was willing to blame himself for their sin. Again, would we do the same if someone wronged us? Something for us to think about.

Moses continues to amaze me. His character was beyond stellar. It was outstanding. Did he make mistakes? Of course, but this just shows us how things can be turned around when we give God control.

God took this simple quiet man, put him in a leadership role, and used him BIG time!

Moses didn’t let a golden calf get in his way.

Do we have one standing in our path? Burn it and then watch as God turns it into something golden! The right way.

What’s your take on this part of Moses journey? Do you think he sinned? What’s your golden calf? Share in the comments section.

Ephesians 4:26 (KJV)

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”

Pieces by Meredith Andrews

Do we let our sin hold us back from truly letting God use us? Do feel we don’t measure up to those around us? Let God use every piece of our lives for His glory! Listen to the lyrics of this song and be blessed.