Can you please tell me the interpretation of Exodus 32:4-10, and its relevance with today's context?

Answer 1

In those days, God was with them by day as a cloud, and by night as a pillar of fire. Having God that close to them, they still failed to obey His words.

It's like, a parent would be angry with the child for failing constantly to obey their words, and would punish the child(no tv, no late nights, etc).

By praying to idols and dead things, they had forgotten God's commandments for them. Had Moses not pleaded for them, they would have already been destroyed, just like how God destroyed the carnal people during Noah's time.

Answer 2

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=exodus%2032:1-20&version=31

This website has the text in a more modern version of English in case you don't have a bible as such to review.

This is an account of how even after witnessing incredible miracles in the process of leaving Egypt the people still did not understand the true nature of God. They wanted a visual "IDOL" to worship.

In todays world the idol might be a fancy car or a big home or just a big stereo. Humans tend to fix their attention on that which is minor and lose track of that which is most important.

Answer 3

This passage discusses the people making a golden calf while Moses on the mountain speaking with God.
Are you asking about the relevance of idolatry in today's society? While we may not fashion gold cows to worship nowadays, idolatry is alive and well in American culture.
Have you ever seen the man spend hours, to the detriment of his family, waxing that special car that he "worships" so dear?
Have you seen that person who flings from lover to lover looking for that perfect "soul mate" or model of happiness?
Have you ever heard of someone who spends hours upon hours working out, grooming, buying and trying on clothes, just so they can walk into a room and know that everyone is looking at them?

Idolatry is alive and well, and what it means is that you have created an image in your mind and have chosen to worship it rather than the creator. He doesn't care for that very much.

Answer 4

A nation that follows idols will degenerate.
That is as relevent today as it was three millenia ago.

Look at Nazi Germany for example.
Their leader Hitler worshipped a superior race, his own charisma, his high command and 3rd Reich, military might, blitzkraeg, and slave labor.
All God had to do was allow them to suffer the consequences of their acts!

Watch out that we do not let our leaders follow false gods like these ones!
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Also, read the rest of the chapter to see how prayer changes things!
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Answer 5

The mercy of God and the importance of obeying God.