Faithful Only in Favorable Times?

I’m reading the Old Testament, specifically the book of Exodus, and I came across with chapter 32, when Moses is up in the Mount Sinai, receiving instructions to build the tabernacle:

“When the people saw how long it was taking Moses to come back down the mountain, they gathered around Aaron. “Come on,” they said, “make us some gods who can lead us. We don’t know what happened to this fellow Moses, who brought us here from the land of Egypt.”

Exodus 32:1 

I had to do some research to understand some passages better, and I found this one. In this post, I’m using insights from there.

This passage sounds outrageous, like, really? The Israelites just witnessed huge miracles from the Lord, a great deliverance from over 400 years of slavery. And they can’t wait 40 days for Moses to return from the Mount? Come on!

But are we so different from the Israelites?

First, let us unpack some facts.

In truth, Moses wasn’t late, he was following God’s timetable. The people, however, were on their own timetable, and their impatience led them to perceive Moses as delayed because he wasn’t acting according to their expectations. Their disobedience stemmed from an unwillingness to stay faithful when God’s actions didn’t align with their desires. This serves as a powerful reminder for all believers.

Rather than waiting patiently for Moses to return from his meeting with God, the people gathered around Aaron and demanded, “Come, make us a god to lead us forward.” Their faith and commitment to the covenant were too fragile to endure, and they quickly reverted to the practices they had known in Egypt.

“We don’t know”

The people claimed Moses was unreliable because they didn’t know what had happened to him. This reveals a deeper issue: the need for certainty. If they couldn’t see, they wouldn’t believe it. Moreover, they insisted that events align with their expectations, otherwise, they’d conclude, “We can’t rely on God.” True faith requires trusting in God’s goodness even when circumstances don’t meet our expectations—and choosing to depend on Him regardless.

The Israelites seemed content to follow God only as long as they felt awe at His power, He fulfilled their expectations, or His ways aligned with their desires. But once God’s presence felt distant and His commands became inconvenient, they began to follow their own inclinations. Ironically, at that very moment, Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving instructions for building the Tabernacle, a visible reminder of God’s presence among them.

This passage also makes me wonder what kind of leader Aaron was. He could have rebuked the people for wanting to worship idols or could have reassured them about who God is and what He has done for them so far. But no, probably out of fear of being killed, he simply does the people’s will. If our heart is not completely surrendered to the Lord, oh what evil things we can do.

Some questions are on my mind after reflecting on this topic:

• Are we faithful to the Lord only when the circumstances are favorable? 
• What would be our attitude when temptation arises?
• Can we stand up for God’s Word even when everyone around us isn’t?

“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure."

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 

May we always be willing to trust even when the circumstances tell us otherwise. May we always read the Bible so we can learn with God’s people.

Because we know the God we serve!