The Golden Calf
Disobedience
Exodus 32about 2 minutes to read aloud
Moses was on the mountain with God for forty days and forty nights. Down in the camp, the people grew restless. "We do not know what has become of Moses," they said. "Make us gods to go before us."
Aaron gathered the gold earrings of the people. He melted the gold in a fire and shaped it into a calf. "These are your gods, Israel," he said. The people bowed down and danced before it.
On the mountain, the Lord said to Moses, "Go down. Your people have turned away already." Moses came down the mountain carrying the two tablets of the law.
When he saw the calf, and the dancing, his anger burned. He threw down the tablets, and they broke at the foot of the mountain. He ground the calf to powder and scattered it on the water.
"How could you do this?" Moses cried to Aaron. Aaron had no answer. The people had forgotten the Lord who brought them out of Egypt.
Moses went back up the mountain to pray for them. "Please forgive their sin." And the Lord, who is merciful, forgave. He gave Moses new tablets, and He stayed with His people — for His steadfast love does not end.
Questions to talk about
Why did the people make the golden calf?
Show the answer
Moses had been on the mountain forty days, and they asked Aaron for gods they could see.
What did Moses do when he saw the calf?
Show the answer
In his anger, Moses threw down the tablets and ground the calf to powder.
What did God do when Moses prayed for the people?
Show the answer
God, who is merciful, forgave and gave Moses new tablets of the law.
The lesson
God will not share His glory. Yet when His people fail, He is merciful and slow to anger.
