When We Forget God's Goodness

When God redeemed his people, Israel, out of Egypt, he did not send them on their exodus with empty wallets. On the day of Passover, the Lord had his people ask their masters for all of their gold. Egypt coughed up their wealth to load their slaves' coffers. Thus, by giving Israel favor in Egypt's eyes (only divine providence could make them so generous), God's people headed toward the Holy Land covered under the blood of the lamb, glimmering with gold. It was a memorable display of YHWH's power over his enemies and compassion toward his own.

On the way out the door, Moses was sure to grab a peculiar piece of luggage: a patriarch's coffin which preached God's promises of a land of rest (Joseph knew God would bring his people out of Egypt and take them to the Promised Land). To lead them in their way, God gave Israel the pillars of cloud and fire. Surely they would remember God's promises of goodness and grace like Joseph did.

When they were backed into a corner with no hope of escape, the sea on one side and the savage army of Pharaoh on the other, "the angel of God" along with the pillar of cloud kept Egypt at bay "all night." Safe and secure, certainly they would worship YHWH for his protection.

When they were hungry, God gave them bread from heaven. When they were thirsty, God gave them water from the rock. Clearly they could taste and see that the Lord is good.

When God gave Israel new laws for their new nation, they said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient." Then Moses threw the blood of the covenant on them, the blood of an innocent ox slain in their place. With such vivid and costly reminders, assuredly they would not forget the grace of God.

When Moses and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, along with seventy of Israel's elders were given the opportunity to see the God of Israel, to behold God, undoubtedly the glory of what they saw would stay with them for life (Ex. 24:9-11). Aaron, the first high priest, and his sons who were to succeed their father, would definitely have this vision fresh in their minds when they entered the holy of holies on the Day of Atonement; they had already seen behind the veil.

But the people forgot the goodness of God. They quickly turned aside from all they said they would do. Aaron transformed their gold into an idol. Nadab and Abihu died offering false fire before the Lord. The people transgressed the covenant. They desired quail instead of manna. They stopped following God's angel in order to follow their hearts. They did not observe the Passover; they did not remember the blood. Many did not enter the land of rest. Their gold was ground into powder and scattered on the water. What was left would later be carted off to Babylon and beyond.

And if you think about it some more, you realize that who they forgot was Christ. Christ our Passover, Christ our sacrifice, Christ our law-keeper, Christ our high priest, Christ our bread from heaven, Christ our water from the rock, Christ our promised rest, Christ our angel of God's armies, Christ the God of Israel, Christ our heavenly vision—the visible image of God himself.

Therefore, when we recount the history of Israel, our hearts must be drawn to behold God's steadfast love and compassion to his people in Christ. 

"I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love." (Isaiah 63:7)

May we always remember God's goodness given to us abundantly in Christ.