Going in the wrong direction?

Norah Summers July 26, 2024 3 2

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Exodus 32: 1-14 (NIVUK)

1 When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered round Aaron and said, ‘Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’

2 Aaron answered them, ‘Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.’ 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, ‘These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.’

5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, ‘Tomorrow there will be a festival to the Lord.’ 6 So the next day the people rose early and sacrificed burnt offerings and presented fellowship offerings. Afterwards they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.

7 Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.”

9 ‘I have seen these people,’ the Lord said to Moses, ‘and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.’

11 But Moses sought the favour of the Lord his God. ‘Lord,’ he said, ‘why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians say, “It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth”? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13 Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance for ever.”’ 14 Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened.

Are the people bewildered by all the laws and instructions that Moses kept issuing?

Are they puzzled at his frequent disappearances, for seemingly endless conversations with God on the top of mountains?

They seem to have become impatient with their leader – again – and turn to Aaron instead.

Eager to please, he readily undertakes a new ploy – perhaps a golden idol will help? At least it is something to see, after all the airy promises.

Obey all these complicated rules, and you will get to journey’s end.

Promised Land.

Milk and honey.

They are weary of promises. They want some magic.

Weren’t the other miracles enough? They have short memories.

So all the gold ornaments are collected and melted down,

and behold, a golden bull calf!

Prayer:

God of the journey,

you are a real God who journeys with us,

often unseen,

but not an idol or just a nice idea.

We may scoff at the naivety of these people

who thought a golden bull calf would solve their problems,

but we make idols of wealth, fame, influence,

and pursue them on false paths.

Bring us back to your way,

and keep us trusting, always, only, in your guidance.

AMEN