The Hebrews had been in bondage to Egypt for over four hundred years. God freed them from their slavery through many signs and wonders. They escaped through the Red Sea, which was miraculously divided so they could cross safely on dry land. God fed them and gave them water in supernatural ways. Even so, when Moses had taken longer meeting with God on Mount Horeb than they felt he should, the people asked for gods to be made to go before them. Aaron consented and made a golden calf. Then the people said, “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (Ex 32:4).
Reflecting on their actions, the Psalmist says:
“They made a calf in Horeb,
And worshiped the molded image.
Thus they changed their glory into the
Image of an ox that eats grass.
They forgot God their Savior,
Who had done great things in Egypt…” (Ps 106:19-21)
They changed their glory into the image of an ox.
God, their Savior, was Who was special about them. He was their brightness and the reason for all that was good about them – their glory.
But they traded Him.
A similar charge is laid to the Gentiles.
“… Although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man – and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things” (Rom 1:21-23)
We may appreciate many things for many reasons, but when we hold something up as our source of joy, our focus in life, and our deliverance – if it is not God – we trade our glory.
Who or what is the chief joy in your life? Who or what do you live for? Who or what do you credit for making you who you are today? Essentially, that is your god.
God is meant to be our glory. Who do you live for? [Or, if you prefer, “For whom do you live?”]
“He who glories, let him glory in the LORD” (1 Cor 1:31).
Van
