For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
While Moses is up on the mountain with God, the people grow impatient and make a terrible mistake. But watch how Moses loves them anyway.
Today's Story
Moses had been up on the mountain a long time — forty days. The people got impatient and worried. “We don't know what happened to Moses,” they said. “Make us a god we can see!”
So — sadly — they collected their gold, melted it down, and made it into a golden calf. Then they bowed down and worshiped it, as if a statue they made could be God. They had forgotten the real God who rescued them from Egypt.
God saw, and He was grieved. “Moses,” He said, “go down. The people have turned away.”
When Moses came down and saw them worshiping the calf, his heart broke. He was so upset that he threw down the stone tablets God had written, and they shattered. Then he stopped the wild party and got rid of the calf.
But here's the amazing part: Moses loved the people so much that he went right back up to God to beg for them. “Please forgive them,” he pleaded. “And if You won't, then take my name out of Your book along with theirs.” Moses was willing to give up everything to save his people.
God was merciful. There were sad results for turning away — but God did not give up on His people. And Moses, who loved them like that, was a small picture of Someone even greater who would one day give everything to save us.
A Big Word
Talk About It
- The people made a golden calf because they got impatient waiting. When you have to wait a long time, what helps you not give up or do the wrong thing?
- An “idol” is anything we put in God's place. What things can become too important to us — more important than God?
- Moses begged God to forgive his people, even offering himself. Who's someone who has loved you enough to stick up for you?