EXODUS 32
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, “Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him.” 2 So Aaron said to them, “Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.” 3 So all the people took off the rings of gold that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. 4 And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 5 When Aaron saw this, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, “Tomorrow shall be a feast to the Lord.” 6 And they rose up early the next day and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
– Exodus 32:1-6
EXODUS 32 THE GOLDEN CALF
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When God’s people became impatient waiting for Moses
They began grumbling and feeling hopeless
So, they asked Aaron to make them an idol
With their gold, they asked Aaron to make a calf
Aaron built an altar before it and rose up early the next day
They offered burnt and peace offerings to it then they rose up and play.
Moses was gone 40 days and the Israelites became restless and hopeless. It is interesting what “waiting” can do to us. In the bible the number 40 is a symbol of testing. Jesus fasted 40 days and 40 nights and was tempted by the devil. It is a good reminder for us that when things are taking longer, it could be a time of testing our faith for us.
We also witness how Aaron, who was given the responsibility to look after the Israelites when Moses was gone, was swayed to please the people of God who were getting restless and complaining. He gave in to their whining and so as not to look bad, he complied and entertained their requests to fashion a golden calf whom they can worship. He became a people pleaser and forgot his priority to please God. He wasn’t able to stick to the role of looking after God’s people so that they don’t grow weary and hopeless.
REFLECTION
- How can we avoid impatience and people-pleasing in our Christian lives?
