Read: Exodus 32
I dread the one scene in the movie “Alien”. While in outer space, the crew sit down for a meal. All is well until one astronaut begins convulsing in pain. As the others try to hold him down, an alien creature bursts through the astronaut’s chest. What was growing inside of the astronaut is now horribly evident for all to see. The astronaut had moved far away from the alien beings, but the alien still resided inside the astronaut.
EGYPTS HOOKS IN GOD’S PEOPLE
The Israelites are now far away from Egypt, but Egypt’s dark hooks are latched onto their hearts. Many are still spiritual slaves of pagan Egypt yet make fervent lip service to the One True God. Earlier, when Moses went and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws, they (Israelites) responded with one voice, “Everything the Lord has said we will do” (Exodus 24:3). It is a rousing shout quickly forgotten when life becomes difficult.
What happens when the Moses goes up to the mountain and his people are left to their own devices? They wait one day, two days, and finally arrive at day forty. Mt. Sinai is covered with clouds and lightning. Moses is nowhere to be seen. Rather than trusting the God of Abraham, the Israelites rush to their own devices. Enemy nations surround them and quickly they discard Jehovah God. He is the One Who brought the plagues on Egypt, set the Israelites free and drowned Pharaoh’s army. Satan rejoices in their desertion.
A FATAL MIXTURE OF BELIEFS
They were already in the habit of merging their beliefs with those of the people around them, a practice that would continue to plague them throughout the kingdom years. Aaron called a feast to the Lord (Yahweh) and said that it was the god(s) which brought them out of the land of Egypt.
THE PAGAN BULL
The bull was a symbol of strength and fertility, and the people were already familiar with bull gods from Egypt. Bulls were also typical animals of sacrifice, so to use their image as a symbol of the god being worshiped was a natural connection. Aaron’s bull was a mixture of the powerful God who delivered the people through mighty works and the pagan methods of worship that were borrowed from the people around them. (Gotquestions.org)
Finally, descending from Mt. Sinai, Moses and Joshua discover in horror what is going on in the hearts of their people. God’s chosen people are having an orgy. The wizard behind the curtain of the Israelites’ souls is revealed and it is pure evil. Satan, the Father of Lies, brazenly masquerades as the savior of the people.
GOD DOES NOT SHARE
God does not share a room with other gods. “You shall have no other gods before me. The Israelites’ earlier promises to God are only lip service. They combined their old Egyptian practices with the worship of God. However, God does not share the room with others. In “Exodus, Saved for God’s Glory” Philip Graham Ryken Ryken notes, “When things get difficult, we often try to return to the Egypt of our sin”. The alien must be surgically removed from our hearts.
Who do you trust when life becomes difficult? Do you choose to cling to the only True God and His promises, or do you produce your own hybrid faith, one that proclaims, “God helps those who help themselves”? God does indeed help those who obediently run to Him and obey. God does not help those who invent solutions of their own making. He does not share loyalties.
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. (James 4:8) There is not room for any other God in your heart. Run only to Him!