Grace and the Presence of God
November 12, 2021 • Arthur Bailey • Exodus 33
Aaron’s weak leadership, or the absence thereof, which caused him to give in to the pressures from a demanding and rebellious people, resulted in serious consequences at a critical time in Israel’s history. Instead of Aaron leading the people, the people led him. YeHoVaH plagued the people because of what they did with the calf that Aaron made. YeHoVaH determined at that moment to send an angel before Moses and the people to drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites and to lead them to the land flowing with milk and honey. This was done to prevent YeHoVaH’s wrath from consuming the people on the way for what they had done. In this portion of Exodus, Moses would again appeal to YeHoVaH on his own behalf and on behalf of the Children of Israel for YeHoVaH’s grace and His presence to be with them and go before the people for their protection against their enemies. In preparation for this study, Grace and the Presence of God, please read Exodus 33:1-23.
The Absence of Leadership
November 4, 2021 • Arthur Bailey • Exodus 32
Leadership skills and abilities are critical when leading people from one place to another or in accomplishing desired goals and plans. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines Leadership as: · A position as a leader of a group or organization · The power or ability to lead other people In Exodus 7, YeHoVaH spoke specifically to Moses about his and Aaron's role to Pharaoh, to go to Egypt, confront Pharaoh and bring His people out of the land of Egypt, the land of bondage, and lead them to a land that flows with milk and honey. In Chapter 20, YeHoVaH spoke specific Commandments to all the people and specifically instructed them not to make graven images, bow down to them, or worship them. YeHoVaH spoke directly to the people and told them that He was the One who brought them out of Egypt, the land of bondage. Moses had been instructed to come up into the mountain to receive YeHoVaH’s instructions for the Israelites and those who had joined themselves to Israel. By default, Aaron would have been the one left to demonstrate leadership. In this portion of Exodus, we will witness the effects of weak leadership or the absence thereof, the pressures that leadership faces from a demanding and rebellious people, and observe the consequences of the absence of leadership at a critical time in Israel’s history. In preparation for the study of The Absence of Leadership, please read Exodus 32:1-35.