Is There a Golden Calf?

The children of Israel had just been delivered from slavery in Egypt after 400 years in bondage and God had parted the red sea and destroyed the Egyptian army in that sea and delivered the Israelites on dry land on the other side. Moses had worked alongside God to see this happen. This was a monumental event. Shouldn’t this have increased and enlarged the people’s love, loyalty and faith in God? There were also many other miracles that the children of Israel where witnesses of.

When Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the ten commandments the Bible says he was delayed in coming down from the mount and the people grew impatient. (Exodus 32:1) Didn’t God know that these people were a busy people and they had to get on with things. Things weren’t happening in their timing and they didn’t like it. In there waiting they wanted to do something so they built a golden calf. Instead of waiting on God’s people get busy doing the lesser and wrong thing.

In Exodus 19 God had warned the people that they were not even to go near the mountain or touch it lest they be consumed by God’s holiness. The priests were also told not to come close or try to peer into God’s holiness lest they also be destroyed. (Exodus 19:24)

Because things weren’t happening on their timing, they thought perhaps they would try to manipulate God to respond in jealousy and they intimidated Aaron and Aaron compromised and there was made a golden calf from the golden jewelry of the people. They insulted their God and delivered and made a golden calf which was an Egyptian religion and god. They also perhaps wanted to add this god to the one true God- Yahweh. We don’t add other gods to God. He is God and there is no other.

Moses the first time spent 40 days and night on the Mountain before he came down to the people. Many of the people like many today and were just pragmatists. Let’s just do something. If God isn’t going to do things on our timing, we will do something on our own. Who does God think He is to keep us waiting?

There is always a time of preparation with God to receive something that is extremely holy. When Moses met with God on the mountain his face shone so brightly that he had to put a veil on it to speak to the people. (Exodus 34:29-30) After Moses broke the first tablets when the people built the golden calf, he went back up the mountain again for 40 days to receive the new tablets with the ten commandments. We need to be careful how we relate to a holy God. Respect, devotion and loyalty are certainly needed.

When Moses came down from the Mount God said to Moses, as he looked upon their corruption and rebellion of the people. God said to Moses, “I have seen this people and behold, it is a stiff-necked people. Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you” (Exodus 32:9-10)

God was going to destroy these people and make a new chosen nation with Moses. However, Moses interceded for the people and was willing that even his name to be blotted out of the book of life. (Exodus 32:32) This is very hard to understand. Didn’t Moses know that only God Himself could make atonement for the sins of the people? God said to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book” (Exodus 32:33) Knowing this I certainly would not offer to go to hell so that others might have life, yet Moses loved the people and God’s name among the nations. (Exodus 32:11-14). The Apostle Paul certainly understood the atonement in Jesus Christ but also said speaking about the Jewish people, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:3) However, He could wish it but knew it could never be that his life could make atonement for people rather than Christ’s. This does show however, the extent of his love for the people.

Moses called for all those who are on the Lord’s side to come to come to his side and then the Levites were instructed to take their swords and kill all those who refused to be on the Lord’s side. About three thousand died that day. (Exodus 32:25-29) Some of the people repented and the Lord relented his judgement.

What are the important principles we can learn from all of this? The people of Israel where 400 years in bondage and it seemed like God was doing nothing. Some might say no wonder the Israelites went after other gods. How long have you been waiting on God? God has His timing and puts people in place that will co-operate with Him. Moses Himself was on the backside of a desert in exile for 40 years before God called Him. As someone has said it takes two weeks to grow zucchini and a hundred years to grow an oak tree. Wait on the Lord’s timing. We have too many zucchinis. In the meantime, do what you know the Lord wants you to be and do.

Also, the more we love God the more we will love people. This includes the lost and His church. The world wants to grab and attain, but those who love want to give and add to people’s lives. We all are leaders in some capacity. We can be instrumental with God in others coming to the fulness of God. (Ephesians 3:19). If we haven’t gone there ourselves, we will not be able to assist others.

Thirdly do not add other gods to the one true God. You cannot add things like all the distortions of new age, the new thought movement, the health and wealth gospel, the name it and claim it and there are so many others. There is one true God and God’s wrath burns against worshipping what is false. He also doesn’t like it because it causes us great harm to ourselves to worship what is false. We fall into the deception of the evil one.

Do you have any golden calves? Get rid of them, before God deals with you and them. There is only one way to life and one way to the atonement of sin and that is through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for our sin on the cross. He took our place and we can be made right with God if we repent of sin and receive Him as He is, as Savior and Lord. Receive Him today before it is too late or you harden your heart.