The Gold Calf
Open Your Bible
Exodus 32:1-35, 1 Kings 12:26-28, 1 Corinthians 10:6-7
BY Scarlet Hiltibidal
Did you know that TikTok tracks how many videos you’ve watched on the app? I regret to inform you that I discovered this in the settings. It is with deep sadness that I also regret to inform you that every one of those dumb videos you watch is tallied up, even if your username is “User8723098439823094802348” and your picture is a gray circle.
In today’s reading, we read about God’s people worshiping idols while Moses had his ten commandment tablet moment with God. I remember being a kid, hearing this story in Sunday School, and wondering how the Israelites could be so stupid. Like, don’t you guys know that God’s finger is writing on a rock your friend, Moses, is holding right now? Why are you obsessed with a statue?
It can seem absurd to read some of the sins recorded in these ancient cultures, but man—how similarly strange are the things we value through our countless tally of views each day?
I’m not anti-video-clip. I’m not boycotting Netflix. But, if the best part of my day is watching a girl get her hair highlighted with some synth behind it in my headphones…that sounds almost as absurd as exalting a gold calf.
In 1 Corinthians 10:6–7, Paul warns the people of Corinth not to be idolaters. And then, it reads, the people ate, drank, and partied. It seems we never learn.
Worshiping power or money or comfort or cows made out of melted jewelry leads to discontentment, increased exhaustion, and heartache. But, the beautiful thing is, we have Someone better to give our attention to. Jesus can captivate us. Jesus has erased our offenses. He can heal us, lead us, and comfort us when life hurts too much. When spending time with Jesus is the best part of my day, I feel rested, whole and purposeful, and content.
Tonight, when you’re winding down with that Texan beekeeper who shares videos of bees being transported to new hives (I have found myself in some strange rabbit holes), take a break and return to God’s Word. Even if you already have that morning. See what He reveals to you and puts in your heart. Jesus is the One worthy of our worship, attention, and affection. Let’s give it to Him.
55 thoughts on "The Gold Calf"
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By the way, Stacey, I prayed for you today. I hate what you’re going through. Praying for some light and God’s comfort for you.
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If anyone has insight into why the Levites killed 3000 men, please help me understand. If I understood correctly, it sounded like they battled their own families and people and then Moses went to God for atonement. It is difficult for me to grasp God’s goodness in this part.
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I DONT KNOW WHY THERE ARE SO MANY REPLIES FROM ME lol. And I can’t delete them. Sorry ladies lol!
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This hot home. I’m struggling with enjoying my time in devotion and prayer. I have a chronic illness that leaves me in pain most days and bed ridden some. I struggle with my time with Jesus, with not being consumed with thinking about my disease and begging for the pain to stop. So the whole time with God is not enjoyable like it should be. It just a begging session to stop the disease. I find my self on tik tok like apps escaping the thought of my situation. I want me time with Jesus to be what it should.
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This hot home. I’m struggling with enjoying my time in devotion and prayer. I have a chronic illness that leaves me in pain most days and bed ridden some. I struggle with my time with Jesus not being consumed with thinking about me disease and begging for the pain to stop. So the whole time with God is not enjoyable like it should be. I find my self on tik tok liek
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This hot home. I’m struggling with enjoying my time in devotion and prayer. I have a chronic illness that leaves me in pain most days and bed ridden some. I struggle with my
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I really needed today’s reading and devotional. I’ve been thinking a lot about how I can use my phone time more wisely rather than just for mindless scrolling and whether or not social media/my phone has become an idol.
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I have to laugh as I too have caught myself engulfed in those Texas Bee videos. I often find myself not trusting Gods timing in my own life but yet will tell anybody who’s struggling to trust his timing. As I am at a point in my life where I am really over being single I struggle to trust God. I constantly pray to not get so caught up in it that I can’t see important things around me but sometimes it can be hard.
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