Year of the Bible: Part Three of Twelve Exemplo

Holy Cow?

Did you know the golden calf Aaron made for the Israelites resembled one of the Egyptians' mightiest gods? The Israelites felt more comfortable with this "familiar god" and disregarded the true living God.

They forgot God's previous provisions and the lessons these events were meant to teach them about God's character. They were kept safe and had everything they needed in Moses' 40-day absence while he met with God on the mountain. Unfortunately, their frustration disrupted their relationship with the Lord, and they defaulted back to what was familiar to them from Egypt.

It's easy to believe knowing about God is enough, but is He worshipped and appreciated? When we minimize the value of interacting with God as the Israelites did, we formulate false ideas of who God should be for us. When this happens, Romans 1:23 tells us, "Instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles." Does this sound familiar?

The Bible recognizes idolatry as the act of prioritizing attention, discipline, and love for false gods and idols over God Himself. Before you criticize the Israelites, remember, we do the same things! We slip away without realizing it, and our attention, suddenly diverted, is aimed at ourselves or other "higher" priorities.

Look at what Moses did after encountering the people worshipping another God. He left them and fell on his face before God, interceding for the Israelites with his prayer/conversation with God, saving their lives. In this way, Moses' life points forward to the life and work of Jesus.

Jesus intercedes for us by offering the only pathway to eternal life with God. This doorway is open to all who trust in Him, and there are no alternative options. God is not acting out in arrogance when telling us not to have other gods or idols. We become like what we worship; if money, we turn greedy; if fame, we become proud. You get the idea. "Therefore, since we are the descendants of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by human skill and thought." (Acts 17:29)

Question: The golden calf can represent distractions. What regularly distracts you from paying attention, being disciplined, and expressing love toward God?

Prayer: God, you know me, and you are never surprised at my tendency to doubt you. Please help me, Jesus! Strengthen me and teach me how to walk in this crooked generation. I do love you, and I receive your love today. I am yours, and I am willing to go where you send me.

Go Deeper: In retrospect, the golden calf is a constant reminder of our distractions and the potential consequences of such actions. Thankfully for the Israelites, Moses interceded on their behalf, and the result was tremendous. Prayer matters. Notice how bold Moses was when confronting God. Moses redirected God's claims and acknowledged God's promises for his people. Moses had every chance to take all the blessings of God and become a great nation. However, Moses realized who God was and how worthy He was and interceded for God's chosen people.