Aaron’s Story and My Story
The Adoration of the Golden Calf (1633-4) Nicolas Poussin
Over the last few days, I have been re-reading the story of Aaron and the Golden Calf (can I call this the first Sacred Cow?). On the one hand, it strikes me as such a strange, strange story. However, on closer reflection, it is my story.
The character that most puzzles me is Aaron. He is a priest of God, a witness to the Red Sea, water from the Rock, and the descent of manna from heaven. Yet, when Moses is delayed in coming back to the people, Aaron crumbles.
I love his explanation to Moses:
1. You know how these people are – they are bent on evil (Exo. 34:23)
2. I told them to take off their gold and when I threw it in the fire – out came this calf (Exo. 32: 24)
The Bible says that the people were running wild because Aaron had allowed them to do so, and this was to “the derision of their enemies” (Exo. 34:25). Can’t you see the Moabites laughing about the silly calf-worshipping Israelites? Who needs TV sitcoms when you can watch the Israelites acting so stupidly?
Who could explain Aaron’s absolute disregard for his brother Moses and the ways of God? Who could have seen this coming when Aaron marveled at the Plagues? Aaron the high priest has become a blamer unwilling to take any responsibility.
Before I come down too hard on Aaron, I should look closely in the mirror. God asks me to guard my heart and stand before him with clean hands. How many times have I given in to the demands of others?
Another way to look at this story is as an allegory. Aaron can stand for my heart – the center of who I am before God. The people of Isreal can represent the demands of my feelings and my body. How many times have I catered to the demands of my desires?
“If we ask ourselves why we think, feel, and act in such a way, we often have no answer, thus proving to be strangers in our own house” Henri Nouwen, Show Me the Way, p. 82
Do I know myself? Am I attentive to the call of God, or, am I driven by whatever screams the loudest?
Lord, give me the grace to listen to You rather than demands of others or the clamoring of my feelings. Give me the great, satisfying sense of joy and peace that comes from loving You. Change the inclinations of my heart that I will to love what you love. I don’t want be like Aaron. – Through Christ I pray, Amen
The good news of Aaron’s story is that he seems to have changed his mind and repented. He turned his life around after this terrible debacle.
