they have been quick to turn aside from the way that I commanded them; they have cast for themselves an image of a calf, and have worshipped it and sacrificed to it” vs. 8
Exodus 32:7-10
We’re perhaps familiar with Go Down Moses, a song sung by slaves in the Deep South comparing their slavery to that of the Hebrew people in Egypt. It was a powerful anthem and was banned by slaveowners on their plantations, before becoming a rallying hymn for abolitionists. Ironically the passage from which these popular words were taken, Exodus 32, refers not to Moses’ journey to confront the pharaoh, but to his hasty trip down Mt. Sinai to confront Aaron and those who had cast the golden calf. The people had already been set free and now they were voluntarily submitting to the yoke of idolatry. It was a travesty, and the Lord is pictured as being livid with rage. While we may prefer other images of God than the one used here, the story is still a powerful reminder of how quickly people of faith can be turned from worship of God to idolatry. A powerful heresy like Christian nationalism sounds so good to so many and when combined with blatant materialism seems to know no boundaries. Countless religious people all around the world are embracing its political teachings and abandoning the good news of the Christ. Thank God for those humble followers of Jesus who are refusing to take up the yoke of slavery!
Thought for the Day: Why are people so quick to abandon the freedom of the gospel?
0 Comments