The Misuse of God’s Gifts

Exodus 32:1-6

INTRODUCTION: Idolatry manifests itself in a variety of ways. On one hand, idolatry is the worship of anything or anyone other than God. Likewise, it is the ungodly pursuit of anything or anyone other than God. Perhaps one type of idolatry that is more disguisable occurs when one gives something belonging to God to another. That is the sad tale of the behaviour of God’s people in Exodus 32.

I. THE DELAY OF MOSES

A. Moses’ First Journey Up the Mount (Exodus 19:1-25; Exodus 20:18-26)

1. The Lord’s call unto Moses (Exodus 19:3)
2. The Lord’s desire for the people (Exodus 19:4-6)
3. The initial willingness of the people (Exodus 19:7-8)
4. The preparations of the people (Exodus 19:9-15)
5. The meeting with God (Exodus 19:16-25)
6. The reaction of the people (Exodus 20:18-21)
7. The initial commandments of God (Exodus 20:22-26)

B. Moses’ Latest Journey Up the Mount (Exodus 24:1-18; Exodus 32:1)

1. The Lord’s call unto Moses (Exodus 24:1-11)
2. The Lord’s desire for the people (Exodus 24:12)
3. The initial willingness of the people (Exodus 24:13-14)
4. The meeting with God (Exodus 24:15-18)
5. The reaction of the people (Exodus 32:1); sometime before Moses’ forty days are up (Exodus 24:18)

II. THE MESSAGE OF GOD

A. The Offerings for the Service of God (Exodus 25:1-40; Exodus 26:1-37; Exodus 27:1-21)

B. The Establishment of the Priesthood (Exodus 28:1-43; Exodus 29:1-37)

C. The Preparation for Continual Sacrifices and Fellowship (Exodus 29:38-46; Exodus 30:1-38; Exodus 31:1-18; see especially Exodus 29:42-46; Exodus 30:6, 36)

III. THE FOLLIES OF THE PEOPLE

A. The Lord’s Provisions

1. Silver (Exodus 3:21-22; Exodus 11:2; *Exodus 12:35-36)
2. Gold (Exodus 3:21-22; Exodus 11:2; *Exodus 12:35-36)
3. Raiment (Exodus 3:21-22; *Exodus 12:35-36)
4. Animals (Exodus 9:6; Exodus 10:9; Exodus 12:32)
5. The priest

B. The People’s Misdeeds

1. Their silver trumpets were likely sounding out musick (Exodus 32:17-18).
2. Their gold had been used to create a calf (Exodus 32:2-3).
3. Their raiment had been stripped to their shame (Exodus 32:25).
4. Animals had likely been sacrificed to the “gods” which they made (Exodus 17:15).
5. The priest of God led the charge (Exodus 32:1).

C. The Problem Presented

1. God gave His people everything they needed in order to worship and serve Him.
2. One by one, these people used those gifts for the purpose of idolatry.
3. Sadly, these things were happening at the very time that God was talking to the man of God (Moses) about the worship He desired from His people.
4. In the end, Moses broke the tables of stone (Exodus 32:19). Unlike the time when he smote the rock instead of speaking to it, this time God did not rebuke Moses. This time Moses demonstrated the type—the people broke the commandments.
5. What has God given you that is being used for a purpose contrary to the purpose for which it was given to you?

CONCLUSION: God has equipped us with all we need to worship and serve Him. Far too often we play the harlot and use those gifts for the worship, adoration, or service of another. These things ought not so to be.