Exodus 32-34
Meanwhile, back in the camp…
With Moses taking his time on the top of Mount Sinai, the people get antsy and quickly break the promise they made just days before to do all that the LORD commanded them. (See Ex. 19:8; 24:3-7.) With their own ears they had heard the LORD speak the Ten Commandments directly to them. Yet here they are making a golden calf, bowing down to it, and declaring that this man-made thing brought them out of Egypt. Not only that, but Aaron himself — the very man who is to be the High Priest and who has been at Moses’ side — is instrumental in making the idol.
The Israelites — including Aaron — are utterly foolish in their idolatry. They rationalize their behavior, asserting they don’t know what has become of Moses (Ex. 32:1), and Aaron even claims that his intent is to worship the LORD (Ex. 32:6). But really, they just want to do things their way.
Every time I encounter this story, I am tempted to gloat over these pathetic Israelites. I tell myself that I would clearly do better. But then reality sinks in, and I recognize myself in the mirror. I am not better at all. If anything, I am worse, as I have the advantage of knowing a good deal more of the story than they. I know of the Incarnation. I know of the Resurrection. I daresay I have the Holy Spirit. Yet I abandon the LORD and do things my own way.
How easily and swiftly the human heart is corrupted!