Can you really blame someone for worshipping a Golden Calf if their god led them out into the desert to die?

Question

IIIIIIII need to read Exodus "more closely"?


How many of the slaves in Egypt made it into the "promised land"?

How many died in the desert?

Answer 1

Actually, leading them out into the desert to die was really only the latest pile of crap that Jehovah had dumped on them. Remember, prior to that, he had led them down into Egypt and gotten them enslaved for a couple of centuries.

Prior to that, he had promised a bunch of land to Abraham, but had never given it to him, (apparently Jehovah can't tell the difference between giving something to a person and giving it to their offspring). He had also played a little joke on Abraham where he told him to kill his son, and then at the last moment said he was just kidding, (what a sense of humor, huh?).

Jehovah had even tried to kill Moses for no apparent reason while Moses was heading up to Egypt to carry out the commands of Jehovah. (Supposedly it had something to do with the non-circumcision of the son of Moses. However, despite the fact that Jehovah had spent quite a bit of time talking to Moses already, Jehovah never bothered to mention the missed circumcision. Jehovah just physically attacked Moses with no warning.)

I'm kind of surprised that any of them were willing to leave Egypt in the first place. Jehovah's track record up to that point was pretty cruddy.

Answer 2

Wow, reading that and looking at your icon I feel like Donkey from Shrek is saying it. I hear the question in the voice of Eddy Murphey.

Actually, the Bible says that the Jews stopped for years at a time in cities accross the Sinai peninsula. So it wasn't all that bad after they got out of Egypt. The truth is, the whole 40 years thing is a metaphor. 40 is a very popular number in ancient religion that signifies transformation and new beginnings.

Answer 3

And Aaron had said to them before the return of Moses, 'O my people, you have only been tried by means of the calf. And, surely, the Gracious God is your Lord, so follow me and obey my command.'

And when Moses returned to his people, indignant and grieved, he said, 'Evil is that which you did in my place in my absence. Did you hasten to devise a way for yourselves without waiting for the command of your Lord?' And he put down the tablet and seized his brother by the head, dragging him towards himself. Aaron said, 'Son of my mother, the people indeed deemed me weak, and were about to kill me. Therefore make not the enemies rejoice over my misfortune and place me not with the unjust people.'

And when Moses said to his people, 'O my people, you have indeed wronged yourselves by taking the calf for worship; turn ye therefore to your Maker, and kill your evil desires; that is best for you in the sight of your Maker.' Then He turned towards you with compassion. Surely, He is Oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful.

Answer 4

Dude,
There are some far greater moral issues in the Bible besides this. Take a look at what Joshua did!

I'm Christian, btw.....

peace respects regards

Answer 5

Yes , I think you can....First off they were not led out to die , all they had to do was rely on FAITH ; HE would have taken and does take care of HIS children !!Their real troubles started after the Golden Calf business !!

Answer 6

Yes, they should have been worshipping the one true goddess Endora! the image of the cow was rather insulting to me

Answer 7

Gold is worth about $800/oz. I don't blame them. They could have melted it and bought some Perrier.

Answer 8

They had no excuse for doing what they did. They claimed it was the golden calf that led them out of Egypt and they knew it was their god, Jehovah.

Answer 9

We are talking about people that believe in a god that was once pleased with animal blood sacrifices and then needed the blood of Christ to wash sins......what more can you say....don't ask them to make sense

Answer 10

Yes I can blame them. Most, if not all, the adults died in the wilderness.