In the Book of Exodus we find the Children of Israel–God’s Chosen People–whom He recently liberated from Egyptian slavery, gathered at the foot of a mountain. Having performed a number of miracles to bring about their release and having opened the Red Sea so that they could walk across it on dry land, He then used its waters to drown the most powerful military on earth. Some 600,000 men, along with women, children and a “mixed (Gentile) multitude” (Exo. 12:48), had witnessed the acts of the God of Israel first-hand. Following these seemingly impossible feats, that same God commanded the estimated 3,000,000 people to observe a “Passover” celebration at that time each year forever (Exo. 12:42-49). This command included the Gentiles who, by obeying God, would become spiritual Israelites  and be absorbed into the 12 tribes. During the days following their exit from Egypt the Lord miraculously provided for them food, water and military victory as they made their way to the mountain that dominated the Desert of Sin.

Upon arrival at the foot of Mt. Sinai, the Almighty spoke to the people audibly, telling them that if they would obey His “voice”–His covenant with them–He would be their God (Exo. 19:5,6). The people agreed to do what He would tell them to do. Then He called Moses to the top of the fire and smoke-enveloped mountain where, for the next 40 days, He spoke to him and wrote a summary of what He said on two stone tablets. What came to be known as the Ten Commandments would govern  the congregation of Israel, which would later be referred to as “the church in the wilderness” (Acts 7:38). The Ten Commandments would later be detailed in the Holy Bible which would be written by God’s prophets and apostles as He spoke to them through His Holy Spirit. That book (Bible) would be God’s standard of personal and national behavior required of His people who would obey its Words in letter and spirit in order to remain in good standing with Him. His bestowing of blessings or cursings upon them would depend on their obedience or disobedience to His Words. Nothing has changed.

Incredibly, after witnessing the many miracles God had performed for them over the previous days, the people soon lost faith in Him. Fearing that Moses was dead, they began making plans to return to Egypt. Over the previous generations the Israelites had lost their connection with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel) and had embraced the bull calf gods of the Egyptians. Now, fearing that God had brought them into the desert to starve, the Israelites convinced Aaron to make a calf-god out of the gold the Egyptians had given them before they left (Exo. 12:35,36). Aaron, lacking his brother’s faith, caved in to their demands, formed a replica of the Egyptians’ calf-gods, placed it before the people and announced: “These are your gods, O Israel, which brought you out of the land of Egypt.” This one representative of all calf gods would lead them back to Egypt, idol worship and slavery. This was not a problem for the Israelites. Their wanted food. And they were being reminded by their leaders that there was plenty of food in Egypt.

After building an alter before the calf-god, Aaron made the following announcement: “Tomorrow we will hold a feast (worship service) unto THE LORD.” Visualize this scene. The people would gather before an  idol, and while there, the would WORSHIP “THE LORD,” the same Lord Who had brought them out of Egypt. What is wrong with this picture? It this heresy still being practiced today? Yes.

Which brings us to the focus of this series which will identify the man-made god that is universally worshiped and served by those who call themselves “God’s people.” This series will expose this false god as the counterfeit object of worship the Scriptures declare it to be. It is this same god that billions of people have served in the belief that it has saved them and will take them to a heavenly paradise in the future. I have intimate knowledge about this false god for I once served it in ministry. I preached the same “truths” that its false prophets continue to preach today. I thank the true God for His mercy which allowed me to see His Truths, embrace them and teach them. L.J.