The Company of the Committed
Introduction
“Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp, and said, Who is on th LORD'S side? Let him come unto me„ And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him." Exodus 32:26
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24
The name of Dr. Elton Trueblood stands among the great Christians of any generation. Trueblood was a member of the Friends or Quaker denomination. He was a marvelous Christian preacher and teacher, a perceptive thinker and a prolific writer. More than thirty books came from the pen of this former college professor. His books are profound and are loaded with wide-ranging concepts. One of the books by this noted author is entitled The Company of the Committed. In this book, Trueblood indicates that a small nucleus of Christians wholly committed to God can make a great impact upon the world.
Jesus selected twelve men to be His disciples. They became His "Company of the Committed." When Saul became the king of Israel, a band of men followed him "whose hearts the Lord had touched." That small company made a big difference in the time they served their king. God called Gideon to fight the Midianites, saying: "Gideon, we do not need 30 thousand to conquer the enemy. Ten thousand soldiers are too many! My plan does not call for vast numbers, Gideon; three hundred can defeat the Midianites" God reduced the troops to a small fighting force who defeated a great pagan army that surrounded the Hebrews.
One day Moses called for those who would get on God's side to stand with him. The Levites responded. They committed themselves unto God. That type of commitment sets the pattern for you and me. Moses asked an important question and gave an invitation: "Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me." God's committed people have a unique, multi-faceted role to fulfill. We must not shirk this responsibility of being committed to God for His purposes.
I. The Company of the Committed Remembers the Cost of Redemption
We know that God paid a big price to make us His own people. A few months before the Scripture text, God redeemed the Hebrews from centuries of Egyptian slavery. They could not extricate themselves from their plight. They did not have military power. Pharaoh had them! When the redemption moment came, God acted and set them free.
God asked that a sacrifice be made - - the death of a little animal. The blood from the animal was sprinkled upon and above the doorway of each Hebrew home. The Lord had declared: "When I see the blood, I will pass over you" (Exodus 12:13). Later on, God reminded His people : "I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself" (Exodus 19:4). Would God's chosen people ever forget? They did! They soon gave the glory of their liberation to a golden calf.
The Christian should never forget that we owe our lives to Jesus Christ. Our exodus is far greater than the Hebrews' exodus from Egypt. God brought us from the land of sin to the place of freedom and life eternal in Jesus Christ! Can we ever forget God's act of kindness and redemption in Jesus? Some do forget so soon.
We are "redeemed with the precious blood of Jesus Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (I Peter 1:19). The Bible states the truth clearly in I John 1:7: "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." We would be destined for hell were it not for the fact that God intervened between us and death by the giving of His only begotten son. We owe our redemption to the One who loved us and Who gave Himself for us. We owe our lives to the One who set us free.
II. The Company of the Committed Recognizes the Treachery of Sin
Sin is magical. Sin allures, entices, and attracts. Sin makes promises but does not fulfill them. Evil promises pleasure, but never warns that the sinner will reap bitter fruit within a short time. Sin is always a snare of Satan.
We read of Moses and Israel who camped near Mt. Sinai in the Exodus Scripture. That great leader and non-compromiser walked to the top of Mt. Sinai, and the glory cloud filled that place. Among the thundering, lightning, and mighty voice on that mountain, God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses. That should have been a high spiritual hour in the life of all of Israel. It seems that they could never have wanted a more brilliant moment. But spiritual tragedy exploded down in the valley.
The people said to Aaron: "We wot not what is become of him (Moses)" (Exodus 32:1). They could not behave themselves while that spiritual giant spent forty days with God in the holy mountain. This is the treachery of sin. Israel forgot about God's redeeming. power. Their memory bank ran dry so quickly. They said to Aaron: "Up, make us gods, which shall go before us" (Exodus 32:1). The great high priest became a part of their plot against Jehovah God. Aaron said: "Break off the golden earrings...and bring them unto me...and he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, 0 Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt" (Exodus 32:2, 4). The people then brought their peace offerings to the idol! Next, they turn to unruly living (Exodus 32:6).
Sin is most often a sly, insidious act. It may begin to lead people away from God by a simple complaint or murmur. The Israelites said they did not know what had become of Moses! (They knew where he was). Sin calls for another step. "Let us have a god!" The next move is one of atrocious, shameful behavior. Aaron caused the people to be stripped of their clothing. Immoral and lewd acts began to break forth in all the camp. God asked Moses to go down and see what the situation looked like to him (Exodus 32:7).
Sin strikes like lightning - - suddenly and mortally. There is not much distance between one's redemption and return to ruin. The gap may be spanned in a brief moment of time. The distance between salvation and sanctification is often a long journey.
God brought Israel out of Egypt, but He didn't get Egypt out of Israel. This is the oft-repeated story of modern Christians. God pulls us out of the world, but the world seeps back into our hearts or comes in like a flood. That which is redeemed becomes polluted and stripped of glory because we never claim victory over it. As one of our poets declares:
"The world is too much with us, late and soon ... we lay waste our powers.”
The sights, smells, and sounds of this world become overwhelming for the careless Christian. He soon finds himself delighted, drawn away, and damaged by the deluding power of sin.
Sin is like a giant magnet that pulls us to itself. The world-system is like a mighty lodestone that inches us away from the spiritual life. Multitudes are travelling down "Avenue Aaron," bewitched by some god of this world. Christians are enslaved and charmed by the gods that surround us.
We need to heed again the words of I John 5:21: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." Some darling sin entraps the unwary. The alert, committed Christian sees this happening. We are all warned : "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12).
III. The Company of the Committed Realizes that Sin Brings Punishment
"And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation" (Exodus 32:9-10).
God is always deeply hurt by sin. He is a jealous God. He does not want His people to be ruined by sin's power. God knows that the devil uses sin to rob man of all that is good and enriching in life. We should know that anything which degrades and tarnishes life is not worthy to be our master. Consequently, God becomes jealous of it.
God wanted to blot His people out and start again with Moses. Moses proved to be a great logician. He presented three reasons why God should not do what He proposed to do (Exodus 32:11-13):
1. God redeemed Israel. He brought them out by His own power. Therefore, Moses asked God not to let His anger "wax hot" against Israel.
2. Egypt would say that God brought the Israelites out of their country simply to slay them in the mountain where they were. Moses argues that God should not give their former enemies the satisfaction of knowing that the redeemed people "did not make it."
3. God made an agreement or Covenant with Abraham that his seed would be multiplied and the land of Israel given to them. Moses asked God to remember that promise to past generations..
God listened to Moses! Did that excuse sin? No. The Lord asked Moses to go down into the valley and see for himself what really was taking place. As he and Joshua approached the people, Joshua said: “There is a sound of noise in the camp” (Exodus 32:17). Moses told him that it was not a war-cry which they heard, but "the noise of them that sing" (Exodus 32:18). The people were eating, drinking, and dancing. Lust had overtaken them.
Moses drew near the camp of Israel, carrying the Ten Commandments which God had recently given him. Then he beheld that shameful sight! With a full-orbed anger, Moses suddenly threw the tablets of stone upon the ground, breaking them into a thousand pieces. Moses rushed to Aaron and asked: "What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?" Aaron began to "hedge." He made excuses. He blamed the people! The guilty always look for a scape-goat. Moses knew that sin had to be punished. That is always the case.
When Moses asked those who stood on God's side to come unto him, hundreds of Levites moved to his side. Then he said to them: "Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his companion, and every man his neighbor" (Exodus 32:27).
On the day that God handed down His Law from heaven, three thousand people were slain because of breaking the commandments of God. On the day of Pentecost when God gave the gift of the Holy Spirit, three thousand people were saved. What a contrast! The Law condemns. Grace offers pardon and forgiveness. Sin's penalty had to be paid. This is always the case. The Law of sin and death is unrelenting. Death is the end result of those who live under the Law and expect salvation by it.
The Bible says: "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). God's Word declares "The soul that sinneth, it shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4). Galatians 6:8 reads: "For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption." God's ancient people experienced tragedy because of their sin. The story of sin never changes. Sin ruins and wrecks countless people. Those among "the company of the committed" become keenly aware of the destructive power of sin.
IV. The Company of the Committed Requests Mercy and Forgiveness
The company of the Committed requests mercy and forgiveness for those who sin against God. Moses said to the ones who had sinned so grievously: "Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin" (Exodus 32:30).
Look at the heart of a man who cares! This person will take the spiritual disasters of others to God in prayer. Moses did! Exodus 32:31-32 is instructive for us. Moses admitted the people's sin. He called their acts a "great sin." We need to have the proper perspective of wrongdoing. We cannot minimize nor gloss over the corruptness and evil of life. If we are going to request forgiveness for others, we must know about the seriousness of sin.
Verse 32 stands as one of the greatest prayers man ever voiced. "Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin." The King James version of the Bible has a line drawn after the first section of that prayer. Some have suggested that at that moment in his prayer, the heart of Moses broke! He became overwhelmed with grief because of the people's sin. He sobbed. He wanted God to show mercy and grant forgiveness to Israel. After regaining his composure, the man of prayer continued : "and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written." Moses was ready to die if that would bring forgiveness to the sinning people. This is praying which touches the heart of God.
Do we want forgiveness for someone? If we approach God in the spirit of Moses, God will show mercy. He is not blind to our tears nor deaf to the petitions which rise from our souls. If we are among the company of the committed, we will ask for God's mercy for sinful mankind.
Do you have a prayer list? Do you have some secret "mountain top" where you may meet God all alone to intercede for others? Have you ever really been prostrate upon the ground in God's presence as Moses was for the purpose of seeking forgiveness for others? Do you know as many as ten people who are backslidden and ten who are lost? Do you realize these lives could be touched by the Holy Spirit if Christians started fervent prayer for them? If we are not praying for others, do you think we are really committed Christians? What may an individual or a Church do about the habit of praying for others? Should we be concerned?
V. The Company of the Committed Receives a Revelation from God and about God
One of the superb passages of Scripture about God is found in this section which deals with the Covenant and its renewal. In chapter 33 we see how God relates Himself to man.
Because of man's sin, God refused to remain in the midst of His people! His tabernacle was moved from the center of the camp (Exodus 33:7). Sin separates man and God. We have this revelation of the holiness of God which does not permit sinful man the right to draw near unto Him.
Because of Moses' dedication unto God, the Lord speaks to him. Exodus 33:11 tells us that Moses and God communed with one another. God condescends to speak to those whose lives are filled with His righteousness and holiness.
God promises to give His grace and guidance to those who follow Him. He promises His presence and rest to Moses (33:14). He does the same for us today. Because of that grace of God revealed in Jesus Christ, we may walk life's pathway with new confidence. God is with us!
God reveals the glory of His presence to His people. Even though God told Moses that "no man shall see me, and live," yet Moses caught an overwhelming glimpse of the glory of God who passed by Him.
Dr. Ramm points out an often overlooked, but fascinating feature about the glory of God. Theologian Ramm reminds us that God's "tov" or glory may also mean His beauty. God is beautiful! We need to catch a glimpse of God's glory which Moses saw, as Isaiah beheld in the temple, as John saw on Patmos, and as that which the disciples saw on the Mount of Transfiguration. Such a sight of God's glory would transform our spiritual lives.
VI. The Company of the Committed Realizes that God Renews His Covenant with His people
After Moses had broken the tables of stone upon which were written the commandments, God asked him to hew two other stones. When Moses ascended into the mountain with God again, God renewed His agreement or Covenant with Israel. What is the character of the Lord who renews His relationship with His redeemed people?
A. He is a merciful God
(Exodus 34:6). He withholds punishment which is already overdue. If Moses had not interceded, God would have blotted out all three million Hebrews. If it were not for Divine mercy, we would be punished beyond our ability to endure.
B. He is a gracious God
He gives His favor to us. He is slow to anger and does not quickly "snort" as the original states. God is not in a rage when we go wrong. God is not quickly aggravated and irritated. He describes Himself as "long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6).
C. He is a faithful God
He is firm. It is not always easy to find people of integrity and truth. God is totally trustworthy. We never need to be concerned about any variance in His life.
D. He is a God who is merciful to thousands
That mercy continues to extend out to all who accept it. Jonah fretted because of God's mercy. The Christian should rejoice because of it.
God punishes sin, but He would rather forgive it. For those who may be on the brink of spiritual disaster, God gives assurance of acceptance and pardon. Man has only to repent and turn to the Lord. No one else can forgive sin. God takes our transgressions and iniquities and removes them from us forever when we ask Him to do it. He can give us a new day, a new beginning, a new start.
What is the conduct of the ones who experience a renewal from God? We see the right reactions clearly demonstrated in the life of Moses. A spiritual renewal causes one to worship God. "Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped" (Exodus 34:8). When God works mightily in the lives of His people, we don't have to drag them to Church! Moses rushed to worship the Lord. And that happens to all who experience God as Moses did.
God ought to so overwhelm us that we can never do less than bow in His presence. He is not a little God who may be placed in a capsule in some corner. He is a God who occupies the entire universe and wants to fill the sanctuary of our lives.
Conclusion
One day God will have His perfect will executed. The kingdoms of this world will become His forever! He will reign over all things. He will put down all sin, all wicked works. He's going to undo the work of Satan. God is going to put the devil in the pit forever. Those who reject Him and refuse to bow their knees to Jesus as Lord will also be cast into outer darkness with Satan.
A spiritual renewal causes one to heed God's voice about entanglements with the wicked world. God told Moses: "Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, let it be for a snare in the midst of thee" (Exodus 32:12). When George Washington served as President of the United States, he warned about foreign entanglements. Our covenant with God should mean that spiritually we will stay aligned with Him and aloof from the world wickedness.
A spiritual renewal causes one to walk away from the place of renewal with the glory of God filling his life. After Moses' second venture of forty days into the mountain with God, his face shone! "The skin of Moses' face shone" (Exodus 34:35). We can't keep back the radiance of Jesus Christ from our lives when we have been in the presence of God. Perhaps we need to linger longer in the glory of God's presence, if we desire transformed lives!
We have a new covenant with God in Jesus Christ. Because of the cross we belong to Him. If any person is hesitant to make a total commitment to our God, the words of Moses come to us as a fresh invitation. "Who is on the Lord's side? Let him come unto me!" Moses asked for a public commitment. Jesus asks the same from all who would follow Him. We can be a part of "the company of the committed." Is there a better group anywhere to which we may declare our allegiance?