I am going to start an on going series of lessons on the Ten Commandments. They may not go fall into an entire set group. But one every so often. This week I want to talk about what is OUR "Golden Calf"?

Recall in the book of Exodus, Moses takes the 3 million or so group of the children of Israel to Mount Sinai. God told Moses that He would show up on the mountain and that He would speak to the people. Moses would go up on the mountain to, in all reality, have a "sit down" with God. The people had to sanctify themselves. As part of that they had to wash their clothes and refrain from any sexual activities. Plus, as part of the entire process, the people or the priests were not to go up on the mountain or even touch it. Or they would be put to death.

While Moses was up on that mountain with God, the people saw the cloud and the rumbling voice of God, plus the thunder, fire and lightning that came from the mountain. As Moses was gone for many days the people, as we have read many times before, started to grumble and complain. It is interesting to note that these are the same group that saw the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and other things God did to protect and deliver them. Now they are at the base of a mountain where God and Moses are talking. They have seen the cloud and the other signs from God on the mountain. They should have at least some idea what is going on. But, they are very quick to loose sight and turn against the one person who delivered them. The very one they have read and heard about for generations.

While God was proclaiming His will and instruction to Moses, He carved out of stone with His very hand what we now call the Ten Commandments. One writer in an old book on Biblical history calls them the Ten Words. In many ways these words stand by themselves as the only law, spoken or personally written, by Jehovah to the whole nation of Israel. God gave other law yes, but these were carved by the very hand of the one who created everything. These laws or codes seem to be in a sense the foundation of the policy of Israel. We today know and recognize these as the basic laws we need in our lives. In fact most everything else is based on these ten. I would guess that most of us, even with a bit of prompting can name them all.

I want to briefly examine the second. God says that we shall have no other gods before Him. Plain enough, correct? He says that we are not to make for ourselves any graven image, likeness of anything to worship. History at that time shows that many cultures of people worshiped all sorts of creations. They ranged from fish to oxen to beetles to well, what ever. God tells us that He is a jealous God. He was the one that delivered His people out of captivity. They were His chosen. He wants His people to love and worship Him. Plus, that includes us just as much as the heard of people at the base of that mountain.

These commandments are more than a list of "do's and don'ts". They are not the ten suggestions. They were given to strengthen the relationship that God had already started. God is Holy and no other object, created or otherwise come before Him. Plus, do not get caught up in how they are numbered, as some do. Suggesting that number one is more important that number ten. But rather they show God's people how to live with each other and how to honor God.

Now if you will recall the bunch of people at the base of the mountain. Moses had been gone for so long. They went to talk to Aaron who was second in command. They pleaded with Aaron to make them something to worship. Something that will go before them. They told him that that guy Moses has been gone such a long time. Something surly happened to him. So we need a god to lead us. These were the same bunch as I noted before who, if anyone could have, were personal witness to the power and deliverance of God. But a few days alone and they needed something else. Plus Aaron, who was the right hand to Mr. Moses, who should have know better, simply said, "OK"!

He collected all their gold and made an idol in the form of a calf. Then he built an alter and along with the people, worshiped the fake cow. Plus the scriptures note that the people ate and drank and then got up to indulge in "revelry". Moses was still in conversation with God on the mountain. God told him to go down to see what the people were up to. When Moses came back he saw what the people were doing. The scriptures state that he got so angry that he smashed the stone tablets that God gave him. He went up had the golden calf burnt. He then poured the dust into the water and had the people drink it. Then he got all those together who were behind the idol and had about three thousand killed.

We stop to wonder about stories like this. As I have said before, how in the world can a group of people, the same people who saw all the things that God did to deliver them from bondage, the same who for generations knew who God was and what He had planned for them. How can they turn from that same God the moment that Moses leaves to go speak with Him. Plus how can they believe that a man made statue of a cow be a god? We come down very hard on those people in the desert. We also can find fault with all the related stories in the Bible.

But wait a moment. Where did I put my mirror? We need to look at ourselves. Do we not do the same? If we think twice about it, we can find so many reasons to justify our actions. Where are our eyes focused? Where dose our money go? What do we spend our time on? Sure thing like jobs, homes, cars, spouses, kids and related are important. But do we spend more time focused on those things plus all the stuff that goes with them that we do with our worship to God? Be honest now as you look into that mirror. It is just you and God. God gets about two hours on Sunday. We pray for what a total of an hour. While the job takes about forty hours. Then we head home to take care of the house. Clean this and fix that. Wait, I have to work on and wash the car. The kids need so much and I have to run them here and there. Plus my wife is so upset that I never take her anywhere. So off to that special dinner. With all this, I hardly have time to watch the game and have any personal time. Plus I just got my new, fill in the blank, (computer, flat screen, boat, motorcycle....). I have to work with that. Oh yea I have to run here and back because I forgot this or that. I have so much to do so please do not ask me to do that small thing for the church. I really did not have a chance to do my Bible study this week. Support what for the church? I really do not have the extra cash. What I do have needs to go for this thing that goes with my new toy. Plus I put a five dollar bill in that plate. Or was it a dollar, I can not remember? Any of this sound familiar?

You yell, Paul do not judge me! I have done all these great things for God. I deserve to do what I do. Plus I am not like those other people. I do not gamble, I just play the lotto. I did not get any vacation last year. I am doing God's work with my family. I am this and I am that. Plus I just got a new car and I must go examine it. I just got a new home and I need to go examine it. And I just took me a wife and I need to go to her. Humm...just what passage in th Bible did that come from?

All those things are good. We try to do things in moderation. If we added all the good and bad together the good would out number the bad. Wouldn't it? We do good in moderation. So do we also do bad in moderation? Do we sin in moderation? The Bible points out that we must put God first. Then all the other stuff will be given us. We are more important that the birds and the grass, correct? God takes care of them so can he not take care of us? He asks where is our faith. Where are our treasures? In heaven or on earth? Plus wait, did I pay the bill for my alarm service? I surely do not want some one to steal my stuff. If I lost my things I am not sure what I would do. They are so important to me and, oh yea, God what were you talking about just now?

The first commandment talks about mental or theoretic idolatry. The second about making or worshiping images. Think about that. Idols that we think about or create. What are yours? Have you ever seen a moving van or a Brinks truck in a funeral procession? God wants us to trust Him for everything. Clothes, food, money and everything. The scriptures discuss all the good gifts that a good Father gives His children. We seek Him first with everything. Recall the man who wanted to follow Jesus but first he had to go bury his father? Jesus was not so cruel that he said no, but said we need to deny all first and seek Him. God provided everything in Eden. That was until sin came into the picture.

So while life is going on and our families need things and the big box we live and throw money in, needs attention, where is God? What are our idols? I saw a news story about a guy who got in a car wreck because he was focused on something on the side of the road. With out realizing it he drove off the road and had an accident at the spot where his eyes focused. Where are your eyes focused? Are you really focused on God? Remember, God through His s Son gave His all. He asked the same of us. Do we have faith. Do we put Him first? What other gods do we have before Him? Ask your self, what have we done? Then, do not get downcast and depressed. God welcomes U-turns. He will help you change this part of your life. That is not the case with all the other "gods" in your life.