Sketchy Lent: The Idolatry of the Golden Calf
A visual devotional in the run up to easter
When the people saw that Moses delayed to come down from the mountain, the people gathered themselves together to Aaron and said to him, "Up, make us gods who shall go before us. As for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." So Aaron said to them, "Take off the rings of gold that are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me"...And he received the gold from their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool and made a golden calf. (Exodus 32:1-2, 4a, ESV)
The Temptation of Idolatry
Moses was up on the Mountain. A place where heaven and earth meet — perfect for encountering God. But down below, the Israelites were still in The Wilderness waiting.
When he was delayed, they took matters into their own hands. They turned to Aaron and demanded that he make them gods to go before them, forgetting the true God who had delivered them from slavery in Egypt.
I wonder how Moses felt when he was coming down the mountain, perhaps re-reading the first two commandments to have no other gods and to not make idols…then he sees the golden calf!
It was blatant idolatry.
Like the Israelites, we may be tempted to turn to idols in times of uncertainty or anxiety. I’ll bet your idols aren’t golden calves, but they can be anything that we put in the place of God — our careers, our relationships, our possessions, our comfort.
When we feel like God is distant or delayed, we may be tempted to take matters into our own hands and trust in something or someone else to guide and provide for us.
The season of Lent is a time to recognize and repent of our idolatry, to turn away from the false gods that we've put our trust in and to turn back to the one true God. It's an opportunity to renew our commitment to worship and serve Him alone. As we journey through this season, let's ask God to reveal the idols in our hearts and to help us tear them down, so that we can give Him the undivided devotion He deserves.
Reflections
What are some of the "golden calves" in your life — the things that you're tempted to put in the place of God?
Are there particular circumstances or mindsets that drive you to these idols? Does this reveal an area of life where you don’t trust God?
What would it look like if you trusted God instead of those idols?
Prayer
Father, thank you that you keep your covenants and are faithful, even when we go astray. Forgive us for all the times we place our trust in something other than you. Help us to recognise the false gods we place our trust in and repent of them. Renew our minds so we place our ultimate trust in you. Renew our hearts and our commitment to serve You alone, for You are the one true God, worthy of all our praise.
Amen