And yet, and yet…

I was thinking today about Moses’ response to the Hebrews worshiping the golden calf idol in Exodus 32. I write about this passage in my book on Metamodernism (currently in development), but I was struck by a poignant picture in the place where Moses in his anger and shock at what his people are doing that he breaks the tablets with the 10 Commandments.

I like to think that if I were in Moses’ sandals, I’d set them down gently first before dealing with the issue. But instead of gentleness here, he goes nuts. He breaks the tablets, destroys the idol, then makes people drink it.

But think about this: in his grief and rage at the sin of his people, Moses destroys the very handwriting of God. In his anger, he destroyed something precious.

But how often do we do the same? When do we in anger crush and destroy those God loves? If people as His creation are God’s workmanship, His poetry to the world (Ephesians 2:10), how often do we in our anger destroy that which is precious to God? In our unwillingness to channel our anger in a holy way, we trample the beauty of God’s creation.

So be careful with your words and with your rage. You may be right to be angry, but is it right to destroy God’s handwriting?