This week we complete the book of Exodus. We read 2 Parashats this week as this year is a short year 12 months not 13. A few weeks ago we read how Moses went on the mountain after God came down and addressed the people. God gave the people the 10 Commandments then instructed Moses to come up, so he can learn how to instruct the people. Moses goes up for 40 days then the people become anxious. They demand Aaron to create them a new God to lead them. Moses goes down the mountain deals with the people’s sin. He then goes back up the mountain asking God to forgive the people. Moses remains on the mountain for 40 days then comes back down without any word from God. The next day God tells him to cut out 2 stones like the ones Moses destroyed. Moses remains on the mountain 40 days.
Look at the time line. Moses went up the mountain on Shavuot (Pentecost) he remained there for 40 days. The Golden Calf moment happens on 17 of Tammuz which latter becomes a day of great day tragedy for the nation of Israel. Moses goes back up the Mountain for 40 days he comeback down with no word from God about the people. On the 1st day of the month of Elul Moses goes back up again for 40 more day. He comes down on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
While on the mountain God tells Moses to command a sabbath. Then God gives him the instructions on how to build the Tabernacle. Once Moses comes down to tells the people to bring gifts to the Lord for the building of the Tabernacle. The people were so happy and joyous to give that the builders told Moses to make the people stop. The desire to give was so great on the people. The next year (6 months later) on the 1st day of the new year Nissan 1 they erected the Tabernacle. After it was built Moses went in and placed each sacred piece into it’s proper place. Then the Glory of God came down and inhabited the Tabernacle.
Maybe you have had Golden Calf incidents in your life. I am here to let you know you can repent and experience the Glory of God like the Israelites did in the Tabernacle. The Bible tells us that we are the Temple of God. That means when we approach God the proper way through repentance we can have the Glory of God inhabit us. What are you waiting for? Turn back to your 1st love and let the Glory fall.
