The Exodus Pt. 4

from the Demotivational Poster collection at

www.despair.com

Idolatry can be very subtle. Often times it is not putting something on the throne instead of the Lord, but it is finding a throne for other “important” things and asking God to share space. Israel almost never stopped serving Yahweh. Their problem was they served Yahweh, and Baal, and Asherah, and wealth, etc. Human nature wants to have something that is tangible, and is able to be seen. It is easier to believe in what we see, and more so it is easier to have some ounce of control over what is physical. Idolatry is putting ourselves in a position where we feel like we can have power over God. But there is nothing we see that will last. True reality is in the unseen, in the things that will survive long after this world has passed away. God does not want idols in anyone or anything’s likeness, not even Himself.

Exodus 32 illustrates this human desire powerfully. Moses has been up on Mount Sinai for quite awhile and the people are getting restless. It is a matter of weeks since the people agreed to enter into covenant with God, and that they would have no gods before Him, or make any idols. They just came out of Egypt, a powerful nation that had a god for everything. The people wanted gods that would go before them. They wanted something they could see, and understand, and probably have a sense of control. What they have seen is a God who is invisible, wonderful, powerful, unpredictable, holy, and probably just too big for their liking. They were afraid. Who is afraid of an idol?

Aaron acquiesces without much of a fight. However, Aaron is not going to abandon Yahweh, so he plays politician and gives the people what they want while proclaiming this new calf as God. He’s trying to please the people and not get in too much trouble with God. Then there is the prototypical politician answer when confronted by Moses.

“So I told them, 'Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.' Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!" (Ex. 32:24)

. He will not take responsibility for his place this sin, even blaming his actions on an uncontrolled miracle. Aaron is perhaps the worst in this whole scenario because he will not take sides. He is leading to please everybody instead standing for what he knows is right.
Idolatry is alive and well. In our lives, we can so quickly start trying to ask God to share space. We can use religion as a means to control instead of to serve. We can try to tame God and tell Him what He does and doesn’t do. God will not be contained. He will not share space. He will not be tamed. C.S. Lewis sums it up brilliantly in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe talking about Aslan,

“’Is he—quite safe?’…’Safe?’ said Mr. Beaver ‘Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.’"