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]