FEBRUARY 15, 2026 – THE GOLDEN CALF

READ: Ex. 32:1–14: … I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people … Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel … So the LORD relented …

Moses remains forty days on the mountain to receive His instructions from the LORD.. Upon his return he encounters a disturbing situation. The people, having received no news from Moses and no longer expecting his return, feel abandoned and cut off from the LORD. Frustrated and impatient, they turn away from the LORD and prefer the idolatry of Egypt (Josh. 24:14). The LORD has made their way difficult (Ex. 16–17).

They approach Aaron with their demand: “Come, make us gods who shall go before us.” Aaron, possibly intimidated by their impatience, yields to their request. The people give  him their golden ornaments, which Aaron melted to make a molded calf.

The people worship this calf as “their gods” who brought them out of Egypt, completely forgetting the LORD Himself. This is a flagrant violation of the first commandment.

Aaron does build an altar to the LORD, but the people focus entirely on the Egyptian idol and celebrate a feast with it (Acts 7:39, 41). In this way they break the covenant that had been concluded less than six weeks earlier.

The LORD tests their faith during this time, and they show unbelief. In great wrath He expresses His displeasure and declares His intention to destroy them and make Moses into a great nation.

Moses now acts as mediator and appeals to God’s promises and faithfulness. He also points to the consequences of God’s judgment upon Israel in the eyes of the Egyptians, who would mock Him. Then the LORD shows that He is not only righteous, but also gracious.

Is 1 Cor. 10:11 applicable here? In what sense?
Sing: Ps. 106:9