Exodus 32:1-14

Rev. Harbison

This is the story of the golden calf, built by the people of Israel in the wilderness. It is a story of idolatry and that's what I want to talk about.  
 
Idols are tempting things. We can see them, touch them, feel them, use them to our own purpose. They can rule our lives in a way that is scary. They can consume our love, worship, attention and give very little in return. 

We make idols out of all sorts of things - money, success, material things, even objects that can be considered holy, like bibles and crosses. But, no matter what the idol is, we have to remember that they are just things. There should be only one true God in our lives and that is the God revealed to us in Jesus Christ. 
 
God is so great that nothing we can form can match him. No amount of money can buy the comfort God's grace gives. No material thing can replace the gifts he gives. No literal understanding from scripture or otherwise can replace the wisdom his spirit brings in our studies and life. 
    
Thanks be to God, who forgives us in our idolatry and all the other stupid stuff we humans do..