Modern-Day Golden Calves

Exodus 32

I mentioned In yesterday’s devotional that I love sports. There’s a fine line between loving something (or someone) and treating it as an idol. We are so quick to deny that any idols exist in our lives. You may be thinking, “I don’t have a golden statue in my house that I bow and worship to.” But in reality, idols are so much more than golden objects.

Timothy Keller in his book “Counterfeit Gods,” writes that “An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give.” When we look to something else, other than God, to give our life meaning and purpose, value, identity, or joy, it becomes an idol in our life. Work can be an idol. A hobby can become an idol. Even our spouse or kids can become idols in our lives.

Keller goes on to write, “The true god of your heart is what your thoughts effortlessly go to when there is nothing else demanding your attention.” We may say we have no other gods before us, but the true test is what we tend to dwell on- the thing(s) that we are truly passionate about.

The Israelites were all about God when He showed up on their timetable, giving to them what they wanted, when they wanted it. As we see from today’s passage, the moment He takes too long for them, they go searching for others gods. It wasn’t that they totally gave up on God, they just wanted some other gods as well. I fear this may describe the modern church. We acknowledge God on Sunday, as we then pursue our modern-day golden calves during the week.

I picked up on something I had not noticed before in this chapter. Aaron puts an altar to worship God in front of the god they had created. They began the day by worshipping God, not the created god. I don’t know if perhaps he thought this would somehow make things more acceptable to Moses, and to God.

There’s only one solution for gods. It’s not trying to lessen their influence. It’s not trying to keep God a step in front on them. The only solution is total and complete destruction. If we don’t demolish the gods in our lives, they will continue to pop up in our lives and relationships. And make no mistake about it, Satan’s desire to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10) may be accomplished.

Saints, we must demolish the gods. That’s exactly what Moses did in v. 20. “He took the calf that they had made and burned it with fire and ground it to powder and scattered it on the water and made the people of Israel drink it.” Notice he also made them experience the bitter taste of the idol. What a metaphor for us today. The idols we serve do not ultimately satisfy; instead they will leave a bitter taste in our lives.

Here’s the good news, Jesus has already won the victory when He defeated Satan and death at the empty tomb. We have the resurrection power needed to demolish the gods in our lives! The second half of this chapter is an incredible foreshadowing of the Greater Moses (Jesus). Moses went before God to intercede for the people’s sin. He offered to die in their place. Jesus died in our place for our sins. And now, He intercedes for us before a holy and righteous God.

God is a God of mercy and grace. Jesus has paid the price for sin. Jesus has given us victory over the power of sin. Why serve any other gods? Demolish the gods and find your meaning and purpose, value, identity, and joy in the Greater Moses.