Bible Studies
They Exchanged Their Glory (Psa. 106:19-20)
Series: Lessons on IdolatryIntroduction:
1. There are several instances in Scripture that refer to the golden calf made by Aaron while Moses was on Sinai. 2. The incident is first described in Ex. 32. It is referred to in Deut. 9:16, Neh. 9:18 and Acts 7:41 in addition to our text. 3. In this lesson we will examine these texts as background to the one in Psalms, but focus attention upon what it means to “exchange our glory for an image.” 4. This is another lesson in the series on idolatry and you may be wondering, “Why are we studying about idolatry? We do not practice idolatry.” But the fact of the matter is we may very well be. 5. Our recent studies in James may present examples of how we do this.a. James 4:1-4 refers to those who are adulteresses because of friendship with the world.
b. Adultery in the O.T. often is used to describe idolatry.
c. Indeed, idolatry might be defined as devoting ourselves to anything that would compete with exclusive devotion to God. It might be a lust for power, position, money, sex, drugs, relationship, pleasure or anything else that we might put ahead of our relationship with the Lord.
d. Idolatry is not limited to the worship of images.
6. That brings us to the consideration of what it means when it says, “Israel exchanged their glory for an image.”Discussion:
I. Israel made a calf in Horeb and worshiped a molten image, thus they exchanged their glory.A. What they did at Horeb is described in detail in Ex. 32.
1. Moses was on Horeb or Sinai receiving communication from God
2. He was there for an extended period, so long in fact, that the people said, “We do not know what has become of him.” They became impatient and unwilling to wait for God’s communication and acted upon their own thinking.
3. They asked Aaron to make for them a god who would go before them.
4. The golden calf was fashioned. They worshiped it and sacrificed to it and said, “This is your god, who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” It is interesting to observe, in light of our recent studies, that as Moses is receiving communication from God, they are creating a god that cannot communicate.
5. You will recall how God was angry with them, but forgave their sin. You will recall also that Moses destroyed the calf, ground it into powder, strewed it upon the water and made the children of Israel drink it.
B. In Deut. 9:16 Moses is rehearsing the incident. His purpose there was to remind them that God was not giving them the land of Canaan because of their righteousness but to confirm the oath that He had made to Abraham (9:4-6).
1. Thus it was because of God’s unconditional commitment (faithfulness) that they were receiving the promised land.
2. Note that this is in a context warning them of the time coming when they would forget the Lord and not listen to His voice (8:11-20 and before).
C. In Neh. 9:18 a group has returned from captivity and working to rebuild their place in the promised land.
1. They are confessing their sins and remembering the golden calf at Sinai and are calling attention to God’s graciousness and compassion in forgiving them (note vs. 17).
2. This is in a context referring to how their fathers acted arrogantly, became stubborn and would not listen to the Lord (9:16-18).
D. In Acts 7:42 Stephen refers to the incident on Sinai.
1. He uses it as he discusses how God had communicated with the nation throughout their history.
2. He concluded: “You men who are stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears are always resisting the Holy Spirit; you are doing just as your fathers did. Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become; you who received the law ordained by angels, and yet did not keep it.”
E. It should be evident that there is a theme developing. Israel’s teachers used the golden calf incident as an example of an unwilling to listen to the Lord’s communication.
II. It is used in this same way in Psa. 106:19-20.A. Note the confession beginning in verse 6.
1. God acted in their history then they believed His words and sang His praises (6-12).
2. Then they forgot and did not wait for His counsel (13-15).
3. “They forgot God their Savior” (21).
4. “They did not believe His word” (24).
5. “They did not listen to the voice of the Lord” (25).
6. “They mingled with the nations and learned their practices, and served their idols” (35-36).
7. Yet He remembered His covenant (what He had promised) and demonstrated His lovingkindness (45).
8. So in this Psalm it is God’s loyalty to doing what He said he would do contrasted with Israel’s unwillingness to give attention to His communication that is the focus.
B. So what does it mean “they exchanged their glory for the image of an ox?”
1. It has to do with their not listening to God as the great communicator.
2. Instead they were “rebellious against His Spirit” (probably God’s rather than Moses;” although Moses’ spirit was the spirit of the spokesman of God).
3. Cf. Psa. 81:8-13.
C. Hos. 4 is comparable. Note esp. vs. 1, 6, 10-12, 14. Also note the image of a “stubborn heifer.” Is this an image drawn from their calf worship reflecting their unwillingness to submit to the voice of God?
III. A similar idea of exchanging the glory of God is expressed in the N.T.A. Rom. 1:23 provides a clear example.
1. The context describes those who suppress the truth God has revealed and even though they know God they do not honor Him as God or give thanks.
2. Instead they profess to be wise and exchange the glory of the incorruptible God for an image.
3. Thus God gives them over. Cf. Hos. 4:17.
B. Phil. 3:18-19 refers to those whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
1. Idolizing things on the earth rather than worshiping the things of heaven turns ones glory into shame.
2. If our glory is limited to the things of this life that is humiliation (James 1:9-12).
3. There is a greater glory for the people of God (Rom. 8:18-23).
4. Our body (of humble glory) will be transformed into conformity with the body of His glory (Phil. 3:21).
Conclusion:
1. Israel’s glory came as a result of her listening to the Lord. Foreign nations marveled at her wisdom given by God (Deut. 4:6-8). 2. Why shouldn’t they marvel? The people of God had insight into things no other people had access to. God knew the future, the past and the present and revealed such to His people. Consider for example the revelations of Joseph, Solomon, Daniel, and so many others. 3. We have understanding to the degree that we listen to what the Lord communicates. 4. John wrote: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true” (1 Jn. 5:19-20). 5. In every aspect of our lives when we follow the revelation of God we find ourselves in superior position. 6. If we exchange what is our glory for anything less it becames shame to us. Do not listen to the voice of the world. Do not listen to the voice of the majority. Listen to the voice of God and it will be glory to you.
