Collapse

No, not the kind of collapse you were thinking. This is far more tragic.

“The tragic irony is that, at the heart of the tabernacle legislation, the legislation that was designed to make possible the unthinkable act of the holy Creator dwelling in the midst of his kingdom of priests and his holy nation, one finds the community falling into the most deplorable sinful behavior: idolatry (chaps. 32-34). Their awe before the appearance of God in chap. 19 and twofold commitment to obedience in chap. 24 has been revealed as hollow promises as they quickly break the first and second commandments. Interestingly, the answer to this dilemma is not the repentance of the people but rather the faithful intercession of a mediator...”—A Severe Mercy. page 48 (italics original)

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Seems to be laying down a pattern...and how appropriate following on the previous post
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