“Corruption within the Camp”
Exodus 32:7-8
Introduction:
“God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).
“Go down at once, for your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. 8 They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, and have worshiped it and have sacrificed to it and said, ‘This is your god, O Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”
“I have seen this people, behold, they are an obstinate people. 10 Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation” (Exodus 32:7-10).
Exodus 15:1-2, “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and its rider He has hurled into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father's God, and I will exalt Him.”
Hebrews 4:11, “Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”
I. Corruption occurs when you refuse to wait on God.
Exodus 32:1, “When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "Come, make us a god who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him."”
Deuteronomy 32:4-6, “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He. 5 They have acted corruptly toward Him; to their shame they are no longer His children, but a warped and crooked generation. 6 Is this the way you repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is He not your Father, your Creator, who made you and formed you?”
“Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me."” (Exodus 32:2).
“You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside Me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold” (Exodus 20:22-23).
“God has forgotten; He covers His face and never sees” (Psalm 10:11).
“The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me” (Isaiah 49:14).
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!” (Isaiah 49:15).
“God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry … A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all” (Psalm 34:15, 19).
“Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:14).
“For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness” (Galatians 5:5).
II. Corruption occurs when God is no longer in control.
“Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies” (Exodus 32:25).
Isaiah 1:4, “Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the LORD; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.”
2 Corinthians 5:14-15, “the love of Christ controls us … He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
III. Corruption in the camp cannot be tolerated.
“Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. 26 So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, "Whoever is for the LORD, come to me." And all the Levites rallied to him. 27 Then he said to them, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Each man strap a sword to his side. Go back and forth through the camp from one end to the other, each killing his brother and friend and neighbor.'" 28 The Levites did as Moses commanded, and that day about three thousand of the people died” (Exodus 32:25-28).
Deuteronomy 23:14, “For the LORD your God moves about in your camp to protect you and to deliver your enemies to you. Your camp must be holy, so that He will not see among you anything indecent and turn away from you.”
“Then Moses said, "You have been set apart to the LORD today, for you were against your own sons and brothers, and He has blessed you this day"” (Exodus 32:29).
Conclusion:
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:7-9).
