The Idol at the Mountain: Exodus 32:1-20

When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him.

Forty days. Moses on the mountain, hidden in glory. The people grew restless. Where is he? Is he dead? This fellow Moses—the contempt already building. They wanted gods they could see. Gods they could control.

Aaron answered them, Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me.

Aaron's response staggers. The high priest-to-be, the spokesman for God, capitulated without argument. Take off your gold. Bring it here.