The Story of a Harlot Named Samaria
“Tomorrow is a feast to YHWH,” Aaron told the people (Ex. 32:5). But the Israelites assembled on a day of their own choosing and worshiped the golden calf. To this lifeless idol, they ascribed the wonders of the true, invisible God: “This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!” (Ex. 32:4). And as they worshiped, the people cast off restraint, for Moses, upon returning to the camp, “saw that the people were naked; for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies” (Ex. 32:25; KJV). God had commanded no such feast, He had forbidden the making of idols, and He hated drunkenness and sexual immorality. But the Israelites invoked His name on the proceedings! “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them’” (Ex. 32:7-8). This statement summarizes most of Israelite history. Though instructe...