Missing the Big Plan
While Moses is clearly the hero of the book of Exodus, my management style more closely resembles that of his brother, Aaron.
Nearly a dozen chapters of Exodus chronicle the conversations between God and Moses on Mount Sinai. God gives Moses explicit instructions about building the tabernacle, including the altar, the mercy seat and the lampstand. He even provides details for the curtains and the incense. (Who knew God was so interested in the little things? I need to remember that the next time I don’t think God is paying attention to my little transgressions).
Amidst these extensive instructions, God gives explicit details for the assignment He has for Aaron. He instructs Moses about how Aaron will become a high priest in the new order of worship. God clearly has big plans for Aaron.
So while all of this conversation is going on, where is Aaron? He’s at the bottom of the mountain, responding to the whining of the people. They’re all bummed, because they haven’t heard from Moses for more than 40 days and they’re worried he forgot about them. So Aaron, the future high priest, instructs the people to melt down their gold and make a golden calf to worship. Not only does he lead the people in the wrong direction, he doesn’t even take responsibility when Moses finally comes down the mountain and asks what’s going on. “Aaron said, ‘Do not let the anger of the Lord burn, you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil.’” (Exodus 32:22) Thus was created the first rule of bad management: when things go wrong, blame the employees.
I identify with that story because I think while God has great plans for me, I’m off worshipping the false idols I’m busy building: my title, my parking space, my 401(k). God has great plans for me, but I’m following the crowd, trying to be popular, and getting caught up in the big project, even though it is exactly opposite what God wants me to do.
The good news is, if God can use Aaron for His purposes, I have high hopes He can use me, too. I just need to have the good sense to realize the difference between something that is in God’s plan and a golden calf.
When have you focused on your idols instead of God’s big plans for you?
Nearly a dozen chapters of Exodus chronicle the conversations between God and Moses on Mount Sinai. God gives Moses explicit instructions about building the tabernacle, including the altar, the mercy seat and the lampstand. He even provides details for the curtains and the incense. (Who knew God was so interested in the little things? I need to remember that the next time I don’t think God is paying attention to my little transgressions).
Amidst these extensive instructions, God gives explicit details for the assignment He has for Aaron. He instructs Moses about how Aaron will become a high priest in the new order of worship. God clearly has big plans for Aaron.
So while all of this conversation is going on, where is Aaron? He’s at the bottom of the mountain, responding to the whining of the people. They’re all bummed, because they haven’t heard from Moses for more than 40 days and they’re worried he forgot about them. So Aaron, the future high priest, instructs the people to melt down their gold and make a golden calf to worship. Not only does he lead the people in the wrong direction, he doesn’t even take responsibility when Moses finally comes down the mountain and asks what’s going on. “Aaron said, ‘Do not let the anger of the Lord burn, you know the people yourself, that they are prone to evil.’” (Exodus 32:22) Thus was created the first rule of bad management: when things go wrong, blame the employees.
I identify with that story because I think while God has great plans for me, I’m off worshipping the false idols I’m busy building: my title, my parking space, my 401(k). God has great plans for me, but I’m following the crowd, trying to be popular, and getting caught up in the big project, even though it is exactly opposite what God wants me to do.
The good news is, if God can use Aaron for His purposes, I have high hopes He can use me, too. I just need to have the good sense to realize the difference between something that is in God’s plan and a golden calf.
When have you focused on your idols instead of God’s big plans for you?
posted by Tom Petersen at 11:14 AM
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