Moses said to Aaron, “What did this people do to you that you have brought so great a sin upon them?” And Aaron said, “Do not let the anger of my lord burn hot; you know the people, that they are wicked. They said to me, ‘Make gods for us, 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 I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off’; so they gave it to me, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!’” Exodus 32:21-24

Whatever Aaron was thinking, as he sought to calm the anxiety of the Israelites,  while they waited for Moses to come down from the mountain . . .  Aaron knew turning gold into an idol would appease them.  This ancient form of  a golden calf, would symbolize strength, fertility and leadership, and at least be  a temporary god, till he figured out what happened to Moses.   Using a mold to create a calf made of gold,  he lifted up his creation and announced,  “Here are your gods.” Exodus 32:4

Did he himself believe that this calf made of gold was a god? Was he trying to save himself by creating it? Was he hoping to buy time until Moses could return? Or was he too, wondering if the God who had led them out of the wilderness, was still with them?

In our anxious moments, it is tempting to turn to false gods, those that promise us security, a way through our dark times, or numb our pain. Danger lurks during our times of confusion.  When we are uncertain of the way forward, we can more easily be led astray.

Jesus warned, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-16

Today in Washington we see the ravenous hunger of wolves, who deck themselves in sheep’s clothing. Claiming to protect Christians, they act instead with vengeance, retribution, greed, hatred and racism. It is played out by detaining long time neighbors and their children, in unholy detention centers. Power is abused and resources for the vulnerable are cut, while the richest among us, rapidly increase their wealth.

They promised a golden calf of power and wealth, if we stopped listening to the words of Christ. Replacing love for God and neighbor, with allegiance to one man, who acts in the most un-Christian ways. Causalities of false worship have led to tyrannizing immigrants, sending masked thugs to our cities, demanding lands of other nations, encouraging white nationalism, and exploiting the environment.

Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16

As you consider your place in the world today, are you worshiping a Golden Calf, or are you following in the footsteps of Jesus?