Topical Bible: Calf: Golden, Made by Aaron

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The Golden Calf represents a significant event in the history of the Israelites, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. This incident highlights themes of idolatry, disobedience, and the consequences of turning away from God.

Biblical Account

The narrative of the Golden Calf is found in Exodus 32. While Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law from God, the Israelites grew impatient and anxious about his prolonged absence. They approached Aaron, Moses' brother and the high priest, demanding, "Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this Moses, who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him" (Exodus 32:1).

In response, Aaron instructed the people to gather their gold earrings, which he then melted down to form a calf. The people proclaimed, "These, O Israel, are your gods, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:4). Aaron built an altar before the calf and declared a festival, during which the people engaged in revelry and pagan worship practices.

Moses' Reaction and God's Judgment

Upon descending from the mountain, Moses witnessed the idolatry and was filled with righteous anger. He shattered the tablets of the Law, symbolizing the broken covenant between God and Israel. Moses confronted Aaron, who attempted to deflect responsibility by claiming the calf emerged spontaneously from the fire (Exodus 32:22-24).

God's wrath was kindled against the Israelites for their sin. Moses interceded on their behalf, pleading for mercy and reminding God of His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Nevertheless, a plague struck the people as a consequence of their actions (Exodus 32:35).

Theological Significance

The incident of the Golden Calf serves as a stark warning against idolatry and the dangers of forsaking the true worship of God. It underscores the Israelites' struggle with faithfulness and the temptation to revert to familiar pagan practices from their time in Egypt. The event also highlights the role of leadership and the responsibility of spiritual leaders to guide their people in righteousness.

The Golden Calf episode is often cited in biblical teachings as an example of human frailty and the need for steadfast devotion to God. It serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the consequences of turning away from His guidance.

Related Scriptures

· Deuteronomy 9:16-21 recounts Moses' intercession and the destruction of the calf.
· Psalm 106:19-23 reflects on the Israelites' idolatry and God's mercy.
· Acts 7:39-41 references the Golden Calf in Stephen's speech, highlighting Israel's history of rebellion.

The Golden Calf remains a powerful symbol of the constant battle between faithfulness to God and the allure of worldly idols.

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Exodus 32:1
And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron, and said to him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
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Deuteronomy 9:16
And I looked, and, behold, you had sinned against the LORD your God, and had made you a molten calf: you had turned aside quickly out of the way which the LORD had commanded you.
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Nehemiah 9:18
Yes, when they had made them a molten calf, and said, This is your God that brought you up out of Egypt, and had worked great provocations;
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Psalm 106:19
They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image.
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Acts 7:41
And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
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Library

The Golden Calf
... them unto me.3. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which ... and fashioned
it with a graving-tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the golden calf.htm

Following the Cloud.
... and asked Aaron to make one for them. So to please them he told them to bring him
their gold ornaments, and he melted them and made a golden calf such as the ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xii following the cloud.htm

Spirit Alchemy.
... Money: The Golden Channel of Service ... presence of God saw the shocking sight of the
people worshiping a calf made of gold, he reproached Aaron for permitting ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/spirit alchemy.htm

Political Religion
... So he offered upon the altar which he had made in Beth-el the fifteenth day of the
eighth ... But the remembrance of Aaron and the golden calf was evidently ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/political religion.htm

The Swift Decay of Love
... spiritual religion which sent these people dancing round their calf. ... The fire made
it, and the fire shall unmake ... not find difficulty in 'burning' a golden idol ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift decay of love.htm

Moses, the Mighty Intercessor
... just fate after their apostasy with the golden calf had it ... Lord, then the Lord sent
Moses and Aaron, who brought your fathers out of Egypt, and made them dwell ...
/.../bounds/prayer and praying men/iv moses the mighty intercessor.htm

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
... As soon as the golden calf was finished, Aaron, who had entered into their views,
made proclamation""Tomorrow is the feast of the Lord"[of Jehovah."] Moses ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxviii the danger of.htm

Exodus
... 2] which represented the claims made by Jehovah ... Jehovah says to Moses, "Say unto
Aaron, 'Stretch forth ... and astonishment, he destroyed the golden calf, Moses is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/exodus.htm

The Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood
... the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, hath turned ... he was jealous for his God, and
made an atonement ... people, is dishonoured by the worship of the golden calf. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/chapter xv the covenant of.htm

Prayer and Importunity (Continued)
... Importunity is made up of intensity, perseverance, patience and ... When Israel set up
the golden calf, the wrath of ... Jehovah was wroth with Aaron, also, who had ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/vii prayer and importunity continued.htm