Day 47: The Golden Calf

 Today's readings: Exodus 32, Leviticus 23, and Psalm 79.

I. The Israelites, fearing that Moses had been lost on Mt. Sinai when he seemed to take too long up there, returned to idolatry. The Golden Calf was constructed to be their god, "who shall go before us" (32:1). In some ways, it's not too surprising that a people who came from 400 years in idolatrous Egypt would turn back like this, but Aaron, encouraging or enabling such blasphemy (32:2-6)? The Lord's high priest? The man who went with Moses and witnessed much that God had done for the Israelites? That IS shocking! 

Needless to say, God is not pleased (32:7-10), but was merciful to the Israelites after Moses interceded for them (32:11-14). Yet Moses, coming down from Mt. Sinai and seeing the Golden Calf, hurled the stone tablets with the covenant from God and broke them, along with destroying the offensive idol (32:19-20). Aaron gave a weak excuse for his part in this (32:21-24), and then took the sons of Levi to slay many of the idolaters in the encampment (32:25-29). After this, he went back up Mt. Sinai to try and "make atonement for [their] sin," which intercession was accepted by God (32:30-34). Finally, while not destroying all the Israelites for their grave sin, the chapter does end with this chilling line: "and the Lord sent a plague upon the people, because they made the calf which Aaron made" (32:35).

The BIY Companion, Vol 1, comments on this episode:

God invites us to walk in faith in the midst of uncertainty, yet we often grow tired of waiting and try to take matters into our own hands... We too can turn to idols, turning things that are good into "ultimate" things to feel like we are in control. We make these things our "god." [...] We all have broken hearts that God is trying to reach... The world is uncertain and so are our lives. When we are tempted to put our faith in things we can control, God says, "You can't control me, but you don't have to because I love you." (p. 102)

II. In Leviticus chapter 23, a liturgical calendar of feasts is given for Israel. The Ignatius Bible notes:

It includes a weekly observance of rest every seventh day (Sabbath) and seven yearly feasts observed every spring (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks) and fall (Trumpets, Day of Atonement, Booths)... Each of these sanctified segments of times is a religious holiday to be celebrated by the entire covenant community... (p. 213)

III. Psalm 79 is one of deep lament. Israel had lost basically everything. Babylon had conquered Judah and Jerusalem, destroying much and killing many. A sad psalm, and one can almost hear the complete anguish and fervent pleas of the Psalmist.

That's all for today!