Exodus: Our Golden Calves

Im sure many of us have heard about the Golden Calf that comes about in Exodus, and in this chapter, it makes its debut. As the Israelites get impatient and restless, waiting for Moses to come down from the mountain, they turn to Aaron, asking for a God to worship. They pitched in their gold accessories, and out came a Golden Calf, they worshipped and sacrificed to it, but when God found out, he was angered with their disobedience. In the end, they were punished for their sins, with death, shedding of blood.

I found it really interesting how the ten commandments continue to show up after they have been commanded. From the emphasis on the Sabbath, to now again for the second time, the issue of idolatry. We were made with an urge in us to worship something. Whether it be money, ourselves, a relationship or a materialistic product, but we are called to worship God, the creator, the one that granted us breath and life. And I know that I myself am similar to the Israelites many times, i tend to forget and turn to something else, putting something or someone else higher above God. Making it an idol that will never satisfy. In my supplementary readings, they described something called the "unholy trinity" which was interesting, it basically consists of our needs, our wants, and our desires. How often are we focusing on this "unholy trinity" instead of what is true and pure, the Holy Trinity?

Again we see the importance of obedience, and the consequences of sin. As said many times, our sin dooms us for death. I dont know why I take it so lightly sometimes and dont realize the severity of our wrong doings. But it is demonstrated in this chapter, there was slaughter, in v.27 when Moses told the israelites of their punishment, having 3000 people killed. God always said that there had to be blood shed for the atonement of sins, and this was it.

But we are luckily saved by the Lord, for he sent his son to die for us, and now no blood has to be shed, because Jesus' blood was the ultimate sacrifice.

What idols are you still turning to?
How will you cut them away from yourself?

verse of the day: Exodus 20:3-6

³ “You shall have no other gods before me.⁴ “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. ⁵ You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ⁶ but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.