Board index ‹ Specific Bible verses, texts, and passages ‹ Exodus

[Ais Ly]

How was worshipping the golden calf wrong within the context of the time?

Okay, so from my understanding Judaism may have evolved out of a polytheistic religion, but I’m not positive when the transition to monotheism took place. I am also aware that in Egypt the Israelites were surrounded by multiple pagan gods, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say it’s likely that the Jewish people experienced a suppression of culture and religion in Egypt being that they were slaves. I am not aware of a commonly known law forbidding idol worship prior to the ten commandments. So when the Israelites asked for a god to be forged (the golden calf) and another big player in their liberation who generally agreed with Moses, Aaron, condoned and facilitated this, how were they supposed to know this was a bad thing? I mean, Moses was literally on the way down with the ten commandments as this was going on, only one person knew the law, it seems like no wrong was done. My confusion kicks into high gear when told that God desired to kill the Israelites, that Moses made them drink their own ground up idol, and also the fact that this is commonly taught to children as an example of the Israelites disobedience. I can’t figure out how anyone did anything wrong here or would have known they’d offend God. Can anyone explain what really went on with the golden calf and clear up any misunderstandings I might have?

[jimwalton]

> so from my understanding Judaism may have evolved out of a polytheistic religion

Just for the record, I don't share this perspective.

> how were they supposed to know this was a bad thing?

Moses has already been to the mountain (Ex. 20), has already brought back the book of the covenant (Ex. 21-23), the covenant is ratified in Ex. 24, and the elders fellowship with God (Ex. 24.9-11).

Moses was their sole contact with YHWH and the mediator of YHWH's power. For all they knew, Moses might be dead and therefore the presence of YHWH is lost. They believed they needed a replacement mediator.

Living animals, not metal idols, were worshipped in Egypt, so this was not a kick-back to their time their. The bull was often associated with Canaanite Baalism, so it may be that the golden calf is a 400-yr throwback to their Semitic and Aramean heritage.

Exactly what Aaron and the people were attempting to do is tough to pin down. It's possible he was trying to make an idol that would equal the fame and power of YHWH. Idols in the ancient world were not regarded as deity. Instead, it was thought to be able to mediate the deity's presence. With Moses gone, it's possible they thought this emblem animal associated with El in Canaan could mediate YHWH's presence, as Moses had done for them. The calf was designed to replace Moses, not YHWH.

Their sin was (1) lack of faith (32.9), (2) disobeying the covenant (323.8), (3) distorting the character of God (32.8). Then they engaged in all kinds of sex debauchery (32.6).

[Ais Ly]

You’re right, my confusion is answered by Exodus 20. This makes much more sense now. What you’re saying about the origins of the calf in Semitic religions intrigues me, so I will look into this later. Thank you so much for your help!

I don’t really have a hard perspective on the origins of Judaism, I just read a lot, but if you’d like an archeologist’s take on the historical relationship between Judaism and pagan gods, here’s a good article:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.haaretz.com/amp/archaeology/.premium.MAGAZINE-when-the-jews-believed-in-other-gods-1.6315810

[jimwalton]

Yes, the conversation about other gods, Judaism's progression toward monotheism, henotheism, monolatry—or whether the Israelites were always monotheistic is a complex one. In my study of the literature, researchers and archaeologists find similarities, but similarities don't necessarily point to derivation: Just because they're similar doesn't mean one came from the other. It's really something that is impossible to pin down, and yet people like this author (your link) draw definite conclusions where definite conclusions are elusive.

[Ais Ly]

That’s fair. Thank you for exposing me to diverse viewpoints.