Instead of turning to God to heal the land, Christians expect politicians and religious leaders to make the nations great. Wake up! The world has fallen. Satan has been a liar and murderer since the beginning. No matter who sits in power—no matter which wing of that calamitous bird rules—violent perverts ravage children, atheist educators indoctrinate youth, and pastors fleece their flocks. Man’s shifting power dynamics have not tempered spiritual degeneration.

Christians have been called out of the world, but see, many secretly love it. Though freed from bondage through Christ Jesus, they are like Israelites in the wilderness of Sin, wandering aimlessly and murmuring about how things used to be in Egypt! Consider how they grew bored and restless because Moses tarried with God on Mount Sinai.

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me.

And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.

And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the Lord.

And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.

Exodus 32:1-6

Likewise, Christians have grown weary of waiting for Jesus’s return. Despite witnessing his mighty acts of redemption and deliverance, they have become bitterly nostalgic. In other words, Christians hide under the mountain of God’s protection, but their hedonistic hearts are far from him. They want to be God’s chosen people but do not want to be held accountable to his commandments. Driven by lust and idleness, they pressure new Aarons to hewn idols so they can revel in sin and gorge on modern delicacies.

Recall how God warned Moses that the Israelites had backslidden. At that very moment, they were partying at the foot of the mountain, worshipping strange gods.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves:

They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people:

Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation.

Exodus 32:7-10

God’s judgment falls when Aarons agree to pacify carnality. Despite millions of Christians living throughout the world, nations continue a downward spiral of decay! We blame evil men for degeneration, but the nations’ healing is our responsibility.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

Who are the New Aarons?

Many political and religious leaders recite patriotic slogans to stir Christians up, but they could not care less about Jesus or his kingdom. No matter how influential or jingoistic, if a leader does not lead people to Jesus Christ, he or she is not worth following. Make no mistake: new Aarons will throw Christians under the bus if convenient, especially under pressure.

Recall how Aaron shifted the blame when Moses confronted him.

And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?

And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.

For they said unto me, Make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.

Exodus 32:21-23

How to Recognize New Aarons

Godly leadership exalts Christ, so new Aarons are easy to detect. Heavenly Father commands his people to humbly seek his face, pray, and turn from wickedness. In so doing, he will forgive their sins and heal their land. Today’s Christians, however, hide at the foot of God’s mountain of protection but refuse to obey him. Making it worse, new Aarons create safe spaces for idolatry, and under their leadership, Christians feast and play without conviction, accountability, or true conversion. In the end, these new Aarons leave believers vulnerable and exposed.

And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)

Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on the Lord’s side? let him come unto me. And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him.

Exodus 32:25-26

Aaron’s Contemporary Idols

Nationality has become a golden calf for many believers, particularly in America. Completely consumed with elections and politics, they put their hope, faith, and trust in the ballot box. In turn, new Aarons promise freedom and fashion idols of national pride and progressivism. My friend, a righteous vote cannot substitute for a righteous life. We live in a world of nations, but we do not belong to the world. Why worship manmade flags when we stand under God’s banner of love? Why would God’s people trade the bondage of Egypt for the bondage of identity politics or geopolitics? When has national pride ever led anyone to Christ? God has set us free: we are a holy nation, peculiar and set apart.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

1 Peter 2:9

Vain religion has also become a golden calf. How many church attendees across the world are truly born again? In modern churches, the cross, the blood, and the resurrection are taboo, and many new-Aaron pastors refuse to preach about sin for fear of losing members. Just as the Israelites broke off earrings so Aaron could make an idol, modern Christians break off 10% of their income and think they are doing God a favor. Moreover, new Aarons do not count saved souls; they count likes, shares, and subscribers! I would imagine the raucous, sensual, sweaty revelry we call “praise and worship” is much like the Israelites’ hedonistic, blasphemous worship at the foot of Mount Sinai. God’s people believe they can hide in glass edifices and avoid judgment.

But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Matthew 15:9

Who is on the Lord’s Side?

Sadly, our unrighteous ways have a detrimental effect on the land. Nations continue to rot because God’s people corrupt themselves with idolatry. We expect God’s deliverance, protection, and guidance but want to worship him on our terms. The truth is—many Christians just want to be comfortable, not righteous. Nevertheless, God’s commandments are just as clear today as they were in Aaron’s time:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

This is the first and great commandment.

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

Matthew 22:37-40

Make God’s People Humble Again

Unbelievers depend on man’s laws, intellect, and diplomacy to make the nations great. Sadly, God’s people have adopted these same means, falling into idolatry. The remedy for a sick and dying land is submission and obedience to God. Indeed, he promised to bring the Israelites out of bondage into a land flowing with milk and honey. He also promises that all who believe in his Son, both Jews and Gentiles, will inherit Abraham’s promise. Therefore, let us repent, seek God’s face, and turn from idolatry. If we love the Lord, then let us keep his commandments.

The ancient Israelites had their Canaan, and we have our New Jerusalem. Christ is preparing a place for believers where the river of life, clear as crystal, flows from God’s throne. On both sides of that river grows the tree of life, whose leaves heal the nations (Revelations 22:1-2). Aarons fail, but Jesus Christ (the flawless intermediary) conquered sin and death so we may inherit the promised land—everlasting life.

2 Comments

  1. Nelson

    October 13, 2024 at 1:17 pm

    Great podcast! You bring up a great point that “many Christians just want to be comfortable, not righteous”. Many Christians would rather follow leaders, doctrine, and man made laws as long as what they are pleasing to their flesh. On the contrary, Gods commandments are not satisfying to the flesh, but lead to paths of righteousness.

    Reply
    • Earnest Contender

      October 20, 2024 at 1:56 am

      Thank you so much for commenting! The path to righteousness is narrow indeed! Over the years, I have veered off, trying to find a righteous, comfortable path, to no avail😊. Thank God, who guided me back to the truth by his Word, a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I appreciate your support!

      Reply

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