They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molded image. Thus they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior. (Psalm 106:19-21)

In the previous devotion, we emphasized how easily and how quickly people who have professed their devotion to God can fall into temptation that leads to destruction. In just a matter of weeks, Israel went from being called “a special treasure” and “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:5-6) to being told,“You are a stiff-necked people. I could come up into your midst in one moment and consume you. Now therefore, take off your ornaments, that I may know what to do to you” (Exodus 33:5). By giving into rebellion, they abandoned the spiritual stature bestowed upon the people of God to that of a beast.

In the psalmist’s words, “they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass.” That could mean different things. For starters, it might allude to the fact that they forgot about the Glory and Majesty of the One who truly led them out of Egypt, in exchange for a lifeless, powerless image doomed to disappoint. But it could also be speaking about their fall from spiritual heights to a place that is as low as it gets. To be compared to a beast that eats in the same place it relieves itself is not what I’d call a compliment.

Perhaps that is the point — to emphasize just how low a person can go when they give into their carnal inclinations. When we ignore the standards set before us by our Creator and follow the dictates of our own heart, we begin to abandon the very purpose of our existence — to live as one made in His image and likeness. In short, we are not to behave as wild animals. Perhaps that is a bit too blunt for some but I only have to look at the world today and observe the behavior of far too many to know that it’s true. And if people choose to live a beast-like life, is it any wonder that many of them will end up worshiping the image of a Beast?

Therefore, guard your heart against the influence and seduction of this culture; acknowledge that “the imagination of man’s heart is evil,” and therefore, there is only one sure source of truth, purity and righteousness — the Word of God, personified in His Son, our Messiah. Let us submit unto God and be conformed to His image. Amen.

Blessings and Shalom,  

Bill