19. They made a calf in Horeb. In the
very place where they had solemnly pledged themselves to obey the Lord they
broke the second, if not the first, of his commandments, and set up the
Egyptian symbol of the ox, and bowed before it. The ox image is here
sarcastically called a calf; idols are worthy of no respect, scorn is
never more legitimately used than when it is poured upon all attempts to set
forth the Invisible God. The Israelites were foolish indeed when they thought
they saw the slightest divine glory in a bull, indeed in the mere image of a
bull. To believe that the image of a bull could be the image of God must need
great credulity. And worshiped the molten image. Before it they paid
divine honors, and said, “These be
thy gods, O Israel.” This was sheer madness.
After the same fashion the Ritualists must set up their symbols and multiply
them exceedingly. Spiritual worship they seem unable to apprehend; their
worship is sensuous to the highest degree, and appeals to eye, and ear, and
nose.
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