The Golden Calf
In this chapter we get a picture of the temporal and the eternal. Eternity is not the continuation of time, or what time looks like after the end…it is not the end of the progression or the continuation of it, it is the present now, it preceded now and exists beyond now. It is the eternal present, and according to John 15 the eternal presence of Christ.
Time and eternity I think, are better understood as seeing from two different vantage points, different dimensions. (See the book of Job where we are given a look behind the curtain “up here” in God's world and perspective on what is going on down there with Job and his perspective. Note that it is not just a different perspective, because what happens here has significant ramifications on what happens "down" there and vice versa. The two dimensions are also interactive.)
This is what we see here in Exodus. Think about how the story would be written from Aaron's or another of "the people's" point of view, where in the world is God? Does He see or care what is going on with us? How long do we have to wait? Then read how it is written from God's point of view, I’m right here. Do you trust Me? Can you wait for me and do what I ask?
Note that the connection point between the two dimensions in each account is through a person. "Moses turns and goes down…", Job suffers and wrestles with his friends. Each man encounters God first, then his community around him.
Both men wrestling with time and eternity…and it results in relationship, intimacy. Is this encounter, engagement what Jesus means in John 17, "Knowing Him" is eternal life? Is this ultimately what connects time and eternity?
**3/3/20 This is one of what I hope will be a regular entry in my blog. This is a shift from what I have done in the past which has mostly been episodic accounts of things I experience in life. I may continue to post more of the same from time to time, but the drift of the blog, at least for now, will be my observations, prayers, questions, and grappling with the Bible as I read through it over the next two years with some friends. We are together following a 2 year reading schedule and meeting monthly to compare notes. Your comments are welcome and if you are interested in what the reading schedule looks like reply in comments and I will be glad to send it to you.
**3/3/20 This is one of what I hope will be a regular entry in my blog. This is a shift from what I have done in the past which has mostly been episodic accounts of things I experience in life. I may continue to post more of the same from time to time, but the drift of the blog, at least for now, will be my observations, prayers, questions, and grappling with the Bible as I read through it over the next two years with some friends. We are together following a 2 year reading schedule and meeting monthly to compare notes. Your comments are welcome and if you are interested in what the reading schedule looks like reply in comments and I will be glad to send it to you.
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