Sin Is Inexcusable

I wish to begin today by pointing out something of a question in regard to the gold calf described in today's OYCB reading.

First, the people requested that Aaron make them some "gods" in the plural.  Then, Aaron instructed the people to gather gold together from which Aaron molded an image the shape of a singular "calf."  When the people saw the "calf" they exclaimed, "...these are the [plural] gods..."  Then Arron proceeded to build an altar in front of the singular "calf" announcing a "festival to Jehovah" (LORD, Yahweh).

From there, there LORD told Moses the people had made and were worshiping a singular "calf" and furthermore advised Moses that the people were declaring the singular "calf" as plural "gods."  When confronted by Moses, Aaron stated that the people requested plural "gods" and the result of his compliance to their wishes yielded the singular "calf."

So, what is the deal?  Why the use of both singular and plural nouns to describe this one calf?

Moving on...

The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh!  The Lord!  The God of compassion and mercy!  I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.  I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.  I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.  But I do not excuse the guilty.  I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.” [Exodus 34.6-7]

Here is a look into the character and practice of God.  The LORD is a God of compassion and mercy, slow to anger and full of love and faithfulness.  He "lavishes" unfailing love to a thousand generations.  He forgives iniquity, rebellion, and sin.  BUT He does not excuse the guilty...

The question begs to be asked, "How does God forgive without excusing the guilty?"  Although this question is certainly above my pay-grade, I believe the pondering of it is essential to Christian faith.  There are, at the onset of "sin", events set in motion that, even though the original intent of the sin may be 'forgiven', the outcome of that committed sin remains firmly established.  

Perhaps the most understandable example is a man and woman who betray Christian faith by becoming pregnant outside of marriage (whether by fornication or adultery matters not in this analogy).  Once a new life is created, that life remains - independent of subsequent forgiveness or unforgiveness for the act that set it in motion.  The copulating couple may indeed be forgiven, however the child does not go away (at least not by means acceptable to true Christian faith).

Another example of this forgiveness could be found in the story of Esther in the Bible.  When the king went along with the edict to annihilate the Jews, that edict, even though its proponent, Haman, was removed from the picture, could not be undone.  Instead, another edict was set in motion to allow the Jews to preemptively protect themselves.  This is the perfect picture of Jesus Christ and His substitutionary death on behalf of those who believe!  God's original edict, that the one who sins must die, did not go away.  Death for sin, like the edict that the Jews could be annihilated in Esther's time, is irrevocable.  However, another edict, that Jesus would suffer "death" for those who believe was set in motion!  Sin is inexcusable and death remains the penalty - but forgiveness is found for those who repent and believe - their just and irrevocable penalty of death is thereby covered by Christ's death on the cross.  Death-by-proxy satisfies the inexcusable penalty for sin through the simple (yet profound) transaction of faith.

Brilliant!

Father, how I got from the singular golden calf/plural gods question to the Cross of Jesus warms my heart.  I know there are many questions about many things presented in the Bible, however, the story of sin and redemption remains untouched by all the other questions!  Thank You for that Story - thank You for Jesus - thank You for Your forgiveness and the faith You have given me to receive it!  You are amazing!