Breaking Loose

by McCormick, F. | Category: For Young Believers | Mar 1955

It was a sad day in Israel's experience when Aaron, in the absence of Moses, God's chosen and appointed leader, "let them loose," and "Moses saw that the people were broken loose" (Exodus 32.25). It is a natural characteristic of human nature to break loose. The flesh does not like to be restricted in its activities, and is ever impatient to express itself in opposition to the will of God. We need to remember that

"The mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace" (Romans 8.6).

This people had pledged themselves to obedience, saying,

"All that the LORD hath spoken will we do, and be obedient"

(Exodus24.7).

They had covenanted with God, and that covenant was ratified by blood sprinkled on the book, and the people, and the altar, binding them to keep the law of their God (Exodus 24; Hebrews 9).

In the absence of Moses it was in their hearts to break loose. Oh, the treachery of the human heart! Is not this what we have to contend with day by day? The chasm between profession and practice is ever facing us. God forbid it should ever be in our heart to break loose from our pledged obedience to Christ as Lord in our baptism. We remind ourselves that we too have been sanctified by the blood of the covenant, and it is a solemn thing to trifle with our obligations thereto (Hebrews 10. 26-31).

The weakness of Aaron as a leader is seen in that he "let them loose" when he should have stood before them as an example to the flock, steadfast in his faith, restraining, rebuking, exhorting.

Alas! alas! the result of this failure in the absence of Moses, on the part of Aaron and the people, is tragic in the extreme, "for Aaron had let them loose for a derision (R.V.M. Heb. whispering) among their enemies" (Exodus 32.25), and judgement fell upon Israel.

When rebellion and lawlessness manifest themselves in breaking loose, and such is allowed by leaders among God's people, the testimony is blighted, and there is reproach, and a whispering among the enemies of the Lord.

"Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for Our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come" (1 Corinthians 10.11).

The word to us is-" Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong " (1 Corinthians 16.18).

Happy indeed is the people "When there is no breaking in, and no going (sallying, mg.) forth, and no outcry in our streets; Happy is the people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is the people, whose God is the LORD" (Psalm 144.14, 15).

McCormick, F. | Mar 1955
For Young Believers