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The Children of Israel
were a people oppressed and
humiliated over a long period. Several generations had lived under the
yoke of
the Pharaoh. They had become a belligerent people. Always expecting
the worst.
Always longing for a slice of the good things of this world. There
sense of
honour and self-confidence had been eroded. During their journey out of
Egypt to the Promised Land, there was ample opportunity for their
character flaws to become
obvious. The Children of Israel were ungrateful to God, despite His
care and
attention to them. They were incapable of behaving submissively and
accepting
the will of God.
When the Children of Israel came across a people
worshipping idols, their eagerness to be like those people they perceived to be
happy became manifest and they asked Moses to let them have an idol, completely
forgetting the miracles of God they had just witnessed. When God provided them
with delicious food which was till then unknown to them, they complained,
wanting the inferior food they were used to. When Moses directed them to march
into a town and overthrow the Canaanites they refused, mostly out of fear and
thus disobeyed the command of God. Ibn Kathir narrates that Moses was able to
find only two men willing to fight.
“He (Moses) said, “O my Lord! I have power only over myself
and my brother, so separate us from the people who are rebellious and
disobedient to God!” God said, “Therefore it (this holy land) is forbidden to
them for forty years; in distraction they will wander through the land. So be
not sorrowful over the people who are rebellious and disobedient to God.” (Quran
5:20-26)
The ‘days of wandering’ began. Each day was like the
one before it. The people travelled with no destination in mind. Eventually
they entered the Sinai; Moses recognised it as the place where he had spoken to
God before his great journey into Egypt had begun. God ordered Moses to fast,
as purification, for thirty days, and then added ten more days. After the fast
was completed, Moses was ready to once again communicate with God.
“And We appointed for Moses thirty nights and added to the
period ten more, and he completed the term, appointed by his Lord, of forty nights.
And Moses said to his brother Aaron, “Take my place among my people, act in the
Right Way (by ordering the people to obey God and to worship Him Alone) and
follow not the way of the mischief makers.” And when Moses came at the time
and place appointed by Us, and his Lord spoke to him, he said, “O my Lord! Show
me (yourself) that I may look upon You.” God said, “You cannot see Me, but
look upon the mountain, if it stands still in its place then you shall see Me.”
So when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He made it collapse into dust, and Moses
fell down unconscious. Then when he recovered his senses he said, “Far removed
are you from every imperfection, I turn to You in repentance and I am the first
of the believers.” God said, “O Moses, I have chosen you above men by My
Messages, and by My speaking to you. So hold that which I have given you and
be among the grateful.” (Quran 7:142-144)
God gave Moses two stone tablets, written upon them were
the Ten Commandments. These commandments form the basis of the Jewish law, the
Torah, and they are standards of morality still set by the Christian churches.
Ibn Kathir and the early scholars of Islam state that the Ten commandments are
reiterated in two verses from the Quran.
“Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from,
Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents;
kill not your children because of poverty- We provide sustenance for you and
for them; come not near to shameful sins whether committed openly or secretly;
and kill not anyone whom God has forbidden, except for a just cause. This He
has commanded you that you may understand. And come not near to the orphan’s
property, except to improve it, until he or she attains the age of full
strength; and give full measure and full weight with justice. We burden not
any person but that which he can bear. And whenever you give your word (i.e. judge
between men or give evidences) say the truth even if a near relative is
concerned, and fulfil the Covenant of God. This He commands you, that you may
remember.” (Quran 6:151-152)
Moses had been absent for forty days. His people had
become restless, they were like children, complaining and acting impulsively. Ibn
Kathir describes their descent into the unforgiveable sin of idolatry. “As-Samiri,
a man who was inclined towards evil, suggested that they find themselves
another guide, as Moses had broken his promise.” He said to them, “In order to
find true guidance, you need a god, and I shall provide one for you.” So he
collected all their gold jewellery, and melted it down. During the casting, he
threw in a handful of dust, acting like a magician to impress the ignorant. From
the molten metal, he fashioned a golden calf. It was hollow, and when wind
passed through it, it produced a sound.”
It was as if they had succeeded in making themselves a
living God. Moses’ brother Aaron had been afraid to stand up to the people but
when he saw the idol and realised what a grave sin was being committed he spoke
up. He reminded the people to worship God Alone and he warned them of dire
consequences for their actions both from Moses on his return and from God
Himself. Those who remained true to their belief in One God separated
themselves from the idol worshippers. When Moses returned to his people he saw
them singing and dancing around the golden calf. He was furious.
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