The Beginning: Moses remains on Mount Sinai, where he receives God’s covenant instructions, including the stone tablets of the law. As time passes, the people grow anxious and demand that Aaron make them “gods” to go before them. Aaron collects gold from the people and forms a calf, and the crowd declares it as the god who brought them out of Egypt.
The Middle: The Israelites celebrate with sacrifices and a festival, turning from the covenant they had agreed to keep. On the mountain, the LORD tells Moses what has happened and speaks of judgment, while Moses intercedes, appealing to God’s promises and reputation among the nations. Moses descends with the tablets, sees the idolatry, and in anger throws down the tablets, breaking them at the foot of the mountain. He destroys the calf, confronts Aaron, and calls those loyal to the LORD to stand with him; the Levites act against the rebellion, and many die.
The End: Moses returns to the LORD and pleads for the people, even offering himself for their sake, but God holds the guilty accountable while continuing his purposes for Israel. A plague strikes the people because of the calf. Later, at God’s command, Moses carves new tablets, and the covenant is renewed as the LORD reveals his name and character—merciful and just—calling Israel again to faithful worship.
This episode exposes the seriousness of idolatry as a direct violation of Israel’s covenant with the LORD, who had redeemed them and claimed their exclusive allegiance. Moses’ intercession highlights both God’s righteous judgment and his willingness to show mercy within the covenant relationship. The broken tablets symbolize covenant rupture through sin, while the giving of new tablets underscores God’s continuing commitment to his redemptive plan, holding sin accountable yet sustaining his people by grace.
In the ancient Near East, calf or bull imagery commonly symbolized strength and fertility and was used in religious art as a pedestal or representation associated with deity. Exodus portrays Israel adopting familiar religious symbolism from the surrounding world, but redirecting worship in this way is presented as incompatible with the LORD’s covenant, which forbids making images for worship.
“You shall have no other gods before me.” — Exodus 20:3
Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.
1. What did the Israelites demand Aaron make when they became anxious while Moses was on Mount Sinai?
2. What did Moses do with the stone tablets when he came down and saw the idolatry in the camp?