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“So now take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do with you.” Therefore the people of Israel stripped themselves of their ornaments, from Mount Horeb onward. Exodus 33:5-6 Our dog, like any dog, prefers human food to his brown kibble. He begs, but he’s generally not aggressive in stealing food. Once though,…
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Go up to a land flowing with milk and honey; but I will not go up among you, lest I consume you on the way, for you are a stiff-necked people. Exodus 33:3 When I was in medical school, one of the pediatricians I worked with would give this advice to new parents – If…
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But now go, lead the people to the place about which I have spoken to you; behold, my angel shall go before you. Exodus 32:34 I’ve had occasions in my life when I’ve spent a significant amount of energy worrying about God’s will for my life. What college should I attend? Where should I live?…
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“Nevertheless, in the day when I visit, I will visit their sin upon them.” Then the LORD sent a plague on the people, because they made the calf, the one that Aaron made. Exodus 32:34-35 When I first diverted opioids for my own use, I was terrified someone would find out. I laid awake at…
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But now, if you will forgive their sin—but if not, please blot me out of your book that you have written. Exodus 32:32 When I first began practicing addiction medicine, I knew that relapse was a common occurrence. Still, for the first several months, it seemed as if I helped no one. All my patients…
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And Moses said, “Today you have been ordained for the service of the LORD, each one at the cost of his son and of his brother, so that he might bestow a blessing upon you this day.” Exodus 32:29 I grew up in an evangelical tradition, which places an emphasis on sharing the gospel message,…
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And he said to them, “Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘Put your sword on your side each of you, and go to and fro from gate to gate throughout the camp, and each of you kill his brother and his companion and his neighbor.’” Exodus 32:27 In my addiction, while diverting opioids for…
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Then Moses stood in the gate of the camp and said, “Who is on the LORD’S side? Come to me.” And all the sons of Levi gathered around him. Exodus 32:26 I’ve always struggled with eating healthy. I’ve known what I should eat, but what I’ve wanted to eat has been very different. So, in…
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And when Moses saw that the people had broken loose (for Aaron had let them break loose, to the derision of their enemies) . . . Exodus 32:25 Years ago, we were on vacation in Florida, visiting some theme park, when my wife objected to my outfit for the day. I’m not sure I want…
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And Aaron said, “Let not the anger of my lord burn hot. You know the people, that they are set on evil. For they said to me, ‘Make us gods who shall go before us.’” Exodus 32:22-23 In my drug use, I never openly blamed my wife for my bad behavior. I knew it wasn’t…
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