Trace
the Gold

This passage in Exodus reveals an interesting detail about the origin of the gold used for the calf. Aaron said, "Take off the gold earrings that are on your wives and sons and daughters, and bring them to me." The calf did not suddenly appear from the sky, nor did anybody mine fresh ore for it that morning. The people were actually already wearing it.

Let's trace the gold one step further back. Israel left Egypt with articles of silver and gold because God Himself gave them favor in the eyes of the Egyptians on the night of the exodus (Exodus 12:35–36). We also know from the chapters just before this one what the gold was meant for, since God had asked the people for an offering of gold so that He could dwell among them in a sanctuary (Exodus 25:1–8). Thus, we see that the raw material of the idol was a gift from God, and the gift had already been assigned a purpose, which was to help build His house.

Between Egypt and the calf, the gold spent its days hanging from the people's ears. Before anyone melted it into an idol, the Israelites had already used it for decorating themselves. Scripture treats this detail as meaningful, because when God later called for true repentance, the sign He required was that the people strip off their ornaments (Exodus 33:5–6).

In the same way, we carry gold of our own, which can be our ability to teach or to organize, or the years of health still ahead of us, or the paycheck that arrives every other Friday. God gave each one of these, and each one is destined to be used for His house. However, we usually use them for our own benefit, hanging them on ourselves first. We polish the talent in public and quietly enjoy being admired for what was handed to us. Although ornaments are not necessarily idols, at least in the beginning, the passage unveils the order of events—what decorates the self today can stand in God's place tomorrow.

The book of Exodus ends with an encouraging turn. After the whole failure surrounding the calf, these same people brought their gold freely for the tabernacle, and they brought so much of it that Moses had to restrain them from giving more (Exodus 36:5–7). The gold finally arrived where God had sent it. Nothing He has placed in our hands needs to end up as a calf, because it can still reach the house it was addressed to.

Today's question is one of inventory: what gold am I wearing right now that was meant for His house?