Moses turned, and went down from the mountain, with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand; tablets that were written on both their sides. They were written on one side and on the other. The tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets. When Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said to Moses, “There is the noise of war in the camp.” He said, “It isn’t the voice of those who shout for victory. It is not the voice of those who cry for being overcome; but the noise of those who sing that I hear.”
Spending time in nature
Israel had to drink the water with the gold dust from the ground-up calf. I’m not saying drink called us today but if you are in a place where you can go gold panning in might be a fun Sabbath activity. If you are not, try experiencing a couple of natural laws. Gravity is easy to demonstrate you can find a bridge and toss a pebble into the air and see as it’s sent back to earth. Take a magnet and as you’re walking see if it attracts anything along the way. To “experience” the strong nuclear force you can play a game everyone creates a close bond by standing in a tight knit circle. Another person tries to get to the middle of the bonded group. One parent can hug the children as another tries to steal the kids away for a hug of their own. You can also think about weak interaction by observing it on a macro level. Along paths or water edges there will be clippings of leaves or grass that is slowly losing matter and decaying. As your walking look for phenomenons that you would only see in Nature. How does fungus grow on the side of a tree, or how do birds keep their nest dry and intact. Nature is so fantastically extraordinary that trying to find odd occurrences is quite easy when you’re looking for them. Discuss how God governs even this wild, chaotic world.
Tip
Without human influence, “the earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear” (Mark 4:28) then the process stars all over. God has put these cycles in place and without hesitation nature obeys them.
Do Something Creative
For the craft, everyone make a calf or simple animal with clay. Try to make it as detailed as possible. As everyone finishes their creation talk about how Aaron’s comment that the calf just appeared was unlikely. Discuss why the little clay creations would make poor gods.
What you will need:
- Clay
- Sculpting tools (tooth picks, butter knives, spoons, etc)
- Maybe water or oil depending on the clay (to keep it pliable)
Family worship idea
Before reading Exodus (31:12-18)-32 create a general contract, list terms you know everyone will enjoy. You can have a clause that the last meal on preparation day will alternate between each family members favorite meal. When making a contract both parties have to agree with the conditions. Israel said we will, when they were verbally given God’s terms, but when Moses delayed they broke the first condition of the contract. Once you finish the reading tear your contract in half. Rewrite the contract with conditions that will help ensure each term is easy to keep. The favorite meals can still be part of the contract, but you can make it easier by adding a helper addition. You can also make four freezable meals in generic tins, on preparation day you’ll just pull on of the meals out and cook it. Doing this could add a surprise element to the meal. Talk about the commitment Israel made when they said they would be obedient to God’s terms verse God’s promise to write the law on the heart. What does that mean for believers now?
Personal thoughts
Often times the joys of this world drowned out the gifts God has prepared for us. Israel couldn’t wait for what God had prepared, they lost patience. Jesus warns us of this everything. If we stop watching and our patience runs thin, there is the possibility that the master will return in that moment. In today’s story the new nation had been caught in their bad judgment. Moses interceded for them, he changed their narrative. Though they would fall again and again over the next generation God remained with them. He never stopped providing their shade during the day and their warmth at night, but they were not allowed to enter the promise land. He looked at Moses and described them as a stiff necked people. God want pliability, not people who will conform to every new trend, but people willing to believe His word. This is not always the easiest ask. I often find myself striking out on my own, because I can handle any and everything that comes my way, it’s usually not long before it’s clear I need to rely on God. Though it might be a lifetime before He returns and takes us home, I know one thing the glimmer of the world has not made me as happy as the peace from God. I choose to wait on the Lord, so in that moment I won’t miss a life time of flash, I’ll be raised up to an eternity of joy.
Hiding His word in your ❤
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord finds doing so when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has.
Matthew 24:45-47
Sabbath Catalyst 