“Early the next morning, the people got up and offered Whole-Burnt-Offerings and brought Peace-Offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink and then began to party. It turned into a wild party!” (Ex 32:6, MSG).
Before we hastily judge these ancient “believers” for their wanton compromise and swift backsliding, let us examine our ways. Before we express shock at their unbelievable idolatry, let us consider our own. It’s remarkable that the previous verse to our text reports Aaron’s notice that the next day would be a festival for God. But lo and behold, what the people do in the name of the Lord! Compare what we do during our “Christian” holidays. Consider the compromise, corruption and confusion we indulge in every year during our festive seasons. How we profane the sacred, pollute the pure and defile the divine! Consider how we play where we should pray. We mustn’t kid ourselves that our contemporary idolatry is any less shocking or detestable in the sight of God. Lord have mercy!
Pastor Josh