EXODUS 32

THE ISRAELITES CREATE + WORSHIP A GOLDEN CALF 

While Moses is on the mountain, the Israelites melt down their jewelry to create a golden calf. Because Moses is delayed, they turn to something else to worship. Aaron, Moses’ brother, is deeply involved. He collects the gold, fashions the idol, builds an altar, and leads the people in offering sacrifices.

God is ready to destroy the Israelites for their sin, but Moses pleads with Him to show mercy. God tells Moses He will make a great nation out of him, echoing the promise He made to Abraham.

Moses comes down from the mountain, sees the idolatry, and breaks the stone tablets in anger. He burns the golden calf, grinds it to powder, scatters it on the water, and makes the Israelites drink it. He rebukes Aaron for leading the people into such blatant disobedience.

As a result of their sin, God sends a plague, and thousands of Israelites are killed.