Beginning of the End - Ellen G. White

determined. A blind, unreasoning frenzy seemed to possess the
crowd. Some remained true to their covenant with God, but most of
them joined in the apostasy. A few who dared to denounce the
proposed image-making as idolatry were beaten and finally lost their
lives.
Aaron feared for his own safety, and instead of nobly standing
up for the honor of God, he yielded to the demands of the crowd.
They willingly gave him their ornaments, and from these he made a
molten calf in imitation of the gods of Egypt.
The people proclaimed, "This is your god, O Israel, that
brought you out of the land of Egypt!" And without using moral
principle, Aaron permitted this insult to Jehovah, and actually did
even more. Seeing how pleased the people were with the golden
god, he built an altar before it and proclaimed, "'Tomorrow is a feast
to the Lord.' Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt
offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to
eat and drink, and rose up to play." They gave themselves up to
gluttony and sinful reveling.
A religion that permits people to devote themselves to selfish
or sensual gratification is as pleasing to the multitudes now as it was
in the days of Israel. There are still weak-willed Aarons in the
church who will yield to the desires of the unconverted, and thus
encourage them in sin.
Israel Broke Their Solemn Promise
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