Jesus summed up Old Testament Law with two statements: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, and, “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”. Not surprisingly, since idolatry lies at the root of all sin, idolatry mars our love of God and neighbour leading to two significant consequences: spiritual and relational ruin.
When Moses came back down the mountain to find God’s people in idolatrous worship (Ex.32:15-19) his “anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hand and broke them at the foot of the mountain.” The picture of shattered stones mirrored the spiritual and relational brokenness within Israel. In v8 we read that the people, “turned aside”, “out of the way” of God. They made for themselves a substitute god that became a new object of worship, rousing God’s righteous anger (vv9-10). Their sin not only separated them from him, but their actions placed themselves in opposition to him. Moreover, their interpersonal relationships lay in ruin. Rather than taking responsibility, Aaron blames the people for, “they are set on evil (v22)”, and as a consequence to their sin God commands the death of 3,000 of their “brothers, companions, and neighbours (from v27)”. It is a profoundly sad scene.
Our human nature puts self first; not a sustaining, fulfilling relationship with God with corresponding love for others. Consequentially, we neither love God nor neighbour with the “alls” Jesus commands – all of our heart, soul, and mind. To the Colossians, Paul warned, “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (Col. 3:5-6)” Idolatry will lead to spiritual and relational ruin. Thankfully, tomorrow we will see a hope that Moses points us toward!