When I was young, I was easily swayed by others. I could easily be influenced by those around me. As I grew up and matured, I realized that I had to take a stand for what I believed in and try not to change my behavior, based on the behavior of those I was with. When I became a Marine Corps officer, I had to lead and influence others through my example. It’s easy to lead people when they are happy and content and when they are obedient. It is not so easy when they are grumbling and complaining or knowingly rebellious.
Under the leadership and direction of Moses, Aaron was an effective communicator, and often, a mouthpiece for Moses. God had set Aaron apart as His priest. But Aaron was easily swayed by the people… and it nearly cost him his life. He listened to the whining and crying of the Israelites and directed them to bring him their gold jewelry so that he could make a golden calf for them to worship. When Moses confronted him about it, he blamed it on them and lied about the calf. If not for Moses’ intervention, Aaron would have died.
My five-year old granddaughter cut her own hair the other day and got into big trouble with her parents. She tried to lie about it and claimed that “no one cut it”. Then she said that she didn’t know who cut it. I don’t know what made her lie about it, with the possible exception of self-preservation, but that is a funny story we grandparents will be telling for years to come. It may take a while for her mother to laugh about it though. Read what Aaron did and then read the story he gave Moses. If not for the seriousness of his actions, it would be quite funny.
Exodus 32:4a (NLT) - Then Aaron took the gold, melted it down, and molded it into the shape of a calf.”
Exodus 32:24 (NLT) - “So I told them, ‘Whoever has gold jewelry, take it off.’ When they brought it to me, I simply threw it into the fire - and out came this calf!”