Dear Church,

There’s a detail in the Old Testament we often overlook. In Exodus 19:24, God instructed both Moses and Aaron to come up the mountain to meet Him. Moses went up… but somehow, by Exodus 32:1, we find Aaron back in the camp. This could be because he ascended partway but returned down at Moses’ request, or, more likely, he never went up.

Why? I believe it’s because Aaron, though a leader, was more comfortable around people than alone in God’s presence.

Isn’t this a reflection of many of us today? We’re at ease going to church, serving in ministries, gathering with believers, but we shy away from stillness before God. We fill our lives with noise, activity, and fellowship, hoping it masks our spiritual emptiness. But busyness in ministry can never replace intimacy with God. Moses was willing to wait in the cloud of God’s glory for 40 days. Aaron stayed with the people, and under pressure, he compromised. He caved to the people’s demands. He asked them to bring their gold, and he crafted the golden calf, saying, “This is your god who brought you out of Egypt” (Exodus 32:4). Left in the crowd without God’s presence, Aaron created an idol. This is true for us too.

The warning is clear: when we avoid God’s presence, we open ourselves to compromise. Many of us are compromised. It’s not enough to be near the things of God, we must be with God. Let us not settle for spiritual activity without deep intimacy.

This week is Holy Week, let’s make time to be in His presence. Don’t run from the mountain. Go up. Desire his presence!

Be Encouraged,
Mathews