Golden calf. Really?

This week has been wonderful (that is "fantastic")! I, along with my fellow seminarians, seem to have gotten into a nice routine and have made this community a new home! Classes, clubs, groups, and other activities are rolling on full steam and everything is going very well!

This being said, I would like to share with you a discussion about one of the many OT stories that I have been having with some friends, and also that I have been reflecting upon personally:

Golden calf. Really? This story is found in Exodus 32. Moses goes up to get the 10 commandments from the Lord while Aaron and the Israelites wait at the bottom of the mountain. Apparently 40 days of waiting is too long for the Israelites, so they demand Aaron to make them a God, so they could worship. Really? Talk about impatience. Not to mention God just told them a few chapters ago to NOT do that. And Aaron, noble man that he is refuses... or NOT! He instructs them to take their golden rings and jewelry and throw them into the fire. Out of this refined gold, Aaron makes a calf and tells the Israelites that THIS is their God. Really, Aaron? A Golden Calf? Oh, and did the Israelites ever get excited! Whoo hoo! A god to worship! Let's throw a party! All the while Moses is starving up on the mountain speaking with the God of the universe! Moses comes down and hears the Israelites making a whole lot of noise. He thought they may have been engaged in battle. When he realizes that they are actually worshipping idols, he throws the recently engraved 10 commandments of God (no big deal, just God's law) in a fit of anger. Really? Throwing God's Commandments?! Then he approached Aaron, and basically says, "Dude, what the heck?!" In return Aaron stutters (he's supposed to be the brother well versed in speech) and says, "They made me do it." Really? Furthermore, he continues, "We threw in the gold and this calf just came out of the fire." Really Aaron. It just came out? Eventually, the people are put back in their place and God gives Moses a new copy of the 10 Commandments. The people in this story, however, are ridiculous. It just begs the question--really?

Before passing too much judgment upon them, I wonder if there is anything I have ever done that would cause God to say, "Really, Ashley... seriously?!" And maybe even throw in some rolled eyes, a slight head nod, and a deep exhale. And the truth is, there are things I have done that would cause God to respond in such a way. And I'm guessing I'm not alone in this respect. We have all done things like this. Good thing for us is that God is forgiving... and merciful... and gracious... and loving... and caring... etc etc etc! And above all, I would like to emphasize the main point main in OT this week: GRACE before law.

Thanks be to God for grace! =) Amen.