“They said to me, ‘Make us gods that will go before us, for as for this fellow Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’ So I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, break it off.’ So they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and this calf came out.”
Into the Text
How quickly we forget. The Israelites grew restless and quickly forgot about the miraculous and continuous provision of God since their escape from Egypt. It only took a few days after Moses’ departure for the people to turn to idol worship.
What is even more surprising is that Aaron went along with it!
The story of the golden calf demonstrates the vital need for each of us to have a personal relationship with God. If we are simply following religious rituals or the lead of those around us, we will quickly drift away from God.
The Israelites had spent so many years around the idol worship of Egypt that it was almost instinctual to turn back to it. They failed to cling to the unique relationship to be God’s chosen people who could draw near to Him through faith.
Have you trusted in Jesus for your salvation? If so, I pray that you seek Him daily and ask the Holy Spirit to keep you from drifting. If you have not, today can be the day of salvation. All that Jesus asks of us is that we would come to Him repentant of our sin, seeking His forgiveness, and accept His free gift of grace.
May we not be deceived and think that the things of this world can ever substitute the One True God. They may offer temporary satisfaction, but they will always disappoint and take us away from where life is truly found.
Prayer
God, please help me to remember you and be mindful of your ways so I do not drift away. Holy Spirit, help keep my heart and mind fixed on you. Amen.