The Rebellion of Israel

(Exodus 32:1–35, Deuteronomy 9:7–29, Amos 5:16–27)

39 But our fathers refused to obey him. Instead, they rejected him and in their hearts turned back to Egypt. 40 They said to Aaron, ‘Make us gods who will go before us! As for this Moses who led us out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has happened to him.’[fn]

41 At that time they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, rejoicing in the works of their hands. 42 But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets:

‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings

forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?

43 You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech

and the star of your god Rephan,

the idols you made to worship.

Therefore I will send you into exile

beyond Babylon.’[fn]