Exodus 32:4

“And he [Aaron] received the gold from their hand, fashioned it with a graving tool, and made a golden calf. And they said, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” 

It’s the 2007 Emmy Awards. You may not recall any TV shows that earned an award that year, but one speech gained infamy for its recipient. 

“Look, a lot of people come up here, and they thank Jesus for this award. I want you to know that no one had less to do with this award than Jesus. This award is my God now,” Kathy Griffin gleefully shouted as she accepted her idol. Kathy meant her speech to be provoking, but she probably didn’t intend it also to be a modern-day example of what happens in Exodus 32. 

After whining multiple times about how the unemployment rates were lower in Egypt, the Israelites are encamped around Mount Sinai. Moses had summited the mountain forty days ago, and the people had decided to throw in the towel. They surround Aaron, Moses’s brother, and demand he build them the gold-plated version of the Laughing Cow Cheese mascot. This is most likely a representation of Hathor, an Egyptian cow goddess.

Read the above verse again and notice what happens when Aaron relents.

Along with the true God, the people credit the Egyptian cow goddess with freeing the Israelites from slavery. No wonder God is angry when he witnesses the people worshiping this false god (we would not have displayed the mercy He shows). 

Just like we can relate to the Israelites’ grouchiness towards God when things didn’t go their way, we can also relate to their ability to credit themselves and other circumstances when things do. You didn’t get the promotion; you question God about why He let that happen. You get the promotion; you tell yourself your hard work earned this. We blame God for the bad things that happen in life but praise ourselves for the good. It’s a lose-lose situation for our relationship with God. 

Hopefully, you can see the hypocrisy here. So, how do we counteract it? Through praise! 2 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

This week, remember to bring your praises to God in any situation. Thank Him in the hills and the valleys. Don’t let a good season be an excuse to elevate yourself and forget God, whom “every good gift and every perfect gift is from…”