They made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a metal image. They exchanged the glory of God for the image of an ox that eats grass.
Psalms 106:19-20 ESV
It’s amazing to think that these people, who had just been delivered from slavery, walked through the Red Sea, and led into uncharted territory by the visible glory of God, were willing to trade that glory for an image. It wasn’t even a real ox; they worshipped the statue of an ox! It’s easy to deride them for their carnality, but what about us? How often do we accept a cheap substitute for the real thing.
The word “worship” comes from the Old English word “worthship. It originally meant the state of being worthy or having value. Worship means to recognize someone or something as being of great value or worth. When God said, “for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14 ESV), He was saying don’t bow down, obey, or show reverence to any other god. They are not worthy. When I honor and obey something in place of what I know to be the will of God, I am valuing that thing more than I do Him. I do what I value most.
It occurs to me that we substitute lots of things for the glory of God, bowing down to cheap imitations. How often do I substitute my convenience and comfort for the pursuit of the holy? Get up early and pray? I need my sleep. Turn off the phone and read the Word? I can’t afford to miss a text. Stop and pray for a stranger? I’m in a hurry and they might reject me. Keep the commitment I made in the heat of a great sermon and professional grade music? Oh, I didn’t realize it might cost me something! My objections may be true, but are they worthy? It’s easy for shortcuts to become substitutes.
On another level, our curious 21st century Christianity has allowed us to create the illusion of worship, the illusion of power, and the illusion discipleship. I often wonder how Paul survived without a sound system, a light show, a multi-camera streaming feed, or a handheld digital bible with 23 translations. My rule of thumb is, if it requires electricity, it could be a metal ox.
Are all emotional experiences the result of God’s power, or can they be created artificially? Is every cute turn of phrase the revelation of God, or is it carefully honed marketing jargon? The proof is in what happens the next day. If it doesn’t change your actions and attitudes on Monday, it was just a goosebump on Sunday, an artificial aberration. It was an image, not the real thing.
Let’s go to church today believing God for more than an image. We want the real thing. Lord, we’re gonna worship you in Spirit and in truth. We’re gonna open our hearts and cry out for your mercy and grace. We’re gonna persevere until we have an encounter, not just a goose-bump. If you want glory, accept no substitutes.
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