Daily Devotional | Worshiping the Calf

Idols were commonplace in the ancient world, so it is not surprising that the bull or its younger version, the calf, were frequently chosen to form into an idol. Since the bull is the strongest of the domestic animals, its selection would make sense if one wanted to emphasize the power of a deity.

The Ten Commandments forbade making an idol “in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath” (Ex. 20:4). Yet, sadly, not too long after that command was given, the Israelites created and then worshiped a golden calf. Exodus 32:1–8 highlights the human tendency to seek tangible but ultimately inadequate substitutes for God.

Moses had ascended Mount Sinai to receive the commandments from God, leaving the Israelites at the base of the mountain. As time passed, the people grew restless and uncertain. They approached Aaron, saying, “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” (v. 1). Aaron complied, fashioning a calf, and the people declared, “These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt” (v. 4).

Despite witnessing God’s mighty works, including the plagues in Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites turned to a man-made object for security. Their impatience and lack of trust in God’s timing led them to idolatry. This example serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of idolatry and the importance of unwavering trust in God. By identifying modern idols and practicing patience in God’s timing, we can strengthen our faith and ensure that our worship remains solely focused on Him. Let us strive to keep our hearts devoted to God, resisting the temptation to turn to inadequate substitutes.