When a preacher does not go to the mountain top to seek and speak with God, he can become like Aaron, who takes the people’s valuables and creates an idol or god of their liking. Aaron used the people’s lusts, expectations, and wishes to create an idol of the god they desired. Aaron even used God’s pattern to build an altar in front of the idol of their desires and lusts. If you, as a preacher, don’t have a place to seek and find God, you risk becoming like Aaron, who, under stress, surrendered to people’s wishes to a create a god they liked.
This land has many Aarons but very few Moses in this generation. Moses was with God on the mountain top until he received a message from God. Aaron did not even attempt to climb God’s mountain. He had no desire to see God, and when God appeared, he was still at the foot of the mountain. These days, there are numerous foothill preachers like Aaron. When Aaron realised that there was no true servant of God in his vicinity, he addressed and suggested ways to the people. He should have kept his mouth shut. Some people’s lives could have been saved if he had kept his mouth shut.
When God saw the idol, his wrath burned hot against the Israelites. Aaron spoke or gave advice to the people without hearing from God. People may have listened to Aaron’s advice because he was Moses’ spokesman in Egypt. Aaron’s past experience made it possible for people to listen to his advice. Preachers like Aaron do the same these days. Because of their past reputation, they speak to the people on God’s behalf without actually hearing from God. They speak as if they have received a word from God even when they have not. They wish to please people at the cost of disobeying God and His commandments. They take advantage of opportunities presented by fickle-minded people to give what they pleased and loved. When God’s presence comes, they fear God and when they are under people’s pressure, they fear people. They are preachers who change their colors depending on the situation, much like a Chameleon.
They act as if they fear God, yet their fear is based on the situation. They provide ideas and advice but don’t have a burden for the people. When many objected to Moses, Aaron could have responded that Moses went to meet with God to find a future or next steps for the people of Israel. Aaron took the valuables of the people and cast them into an idol. What a shame. Aaron’s hand cast a golden calf that stole God’s glory. How can they claim that an old-fashioned idol constructed by Aaron performed all of Egypt’s wonders and miracles? It was such a disrespect to God and His Glory. It’s a good thing Moses interfered, since otherwise the entire country of Israel would be wiped off.
Aaron even blamed the people, claiming that they were the ones who forced him. Aaron can’t handle pressure because he does not really fear God; he just fears the situations. Depending on his situations, he will either fear God or succumb to pressure. Don’t be like Aaron, try to ascend the mountain of God. Plead with God to allow you to ascend God’s mountain. Don’t wait for Moses to descend down and share the message from God. You climb the mountain and have your own encounters with God. You will always be under pressure from situations and people if you are at the foothill. Climb the mountain of God to seek God.
Aaron, at the foothill, gave advise based on the current events and surrounding circumstances. Aaron’s advice was man-pleasing, and built an idol which satisfied the people’s lusts and desires.
When a preacher does not have a mountain top experience or a secret place with God, but instead preaches a doctrine that satisfies or promotes the people’s lusts and desires rather than describing God’s current ways and methods, he directly prepares the congregation and the land for God’s wrath or devastation.
Be cautious when you hear a message that satisfies or promotes your lusts and desires. It can result in God’s direct anger and wrath.
