Replacing God With a Golden Calf
Instead of clinging to Him, their rescuer, they forgot about what He’d done and replaced Him with a golden calf. They lavished their love on manmade livestock.
It’s easy for me to judge the Israelites as slow learners when I read about their Old Testament adventures, or should I say, misadventures. For instance, take the time when they made a golden idol and then worshiped it while waiting for Moses to return from his mountaintop meeting with God.
Psalm 106:19-21 says,
“The people made a calf at Mount Sinai; they bowed before an image made of gold. They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt.”
What??? These folks had just witnessed God’s power in amazing ways. They’d just experienced Him as their deliverer from Egypt and slavery. Instead of clinging to Him, their rescuer, they forgot about what He’d done and replaced Him with a golden calf. They lavished their affections on manmade livestock. How’s that for gratitude?
My golden calf looks different than theirs
Yes, it’s easy for me to judge the Israelites as slow learners. But the truth is, I’m slow sometimes, too. I’ve never crafted a golden calf in my basement or backyard, but I’ve been guilty of lavishing more love on doing ministry than on spending time with Jesus. If I don’t guard my heart, I can easily make ministry an idol that replaces my glorious God. How foolish is that?
God has given us His all. He does not deserve to be replaced. Rather, He deserves our complete affection. I choose to give it to Him. Will you do so, too?
How about you?
How would you describe your love for God? Do you still regard Him as your glorious Savior who has done great things on your behalf?
Or have you replaced Him with something much, much less? Your career? A relationship? Your looks? Money?
Know you are loved,
Grace
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