While studying for the children’s Bible class on Exodus, some crazy things struck me.  How many times had I read these chapters and yet they always yield new treasures!  Hope you find new treasures, today! . . . They had been miraculously delivered from one of the most powerful nations in the world yet only 2 months into their life of freedom, God’s people used their freedom to turn their back on their Deliverer and his chosen leader by manufacturing an idol to worship. The blasphemy was shocking, “These are your gods who brought you out of Egypt,” they announced around a golden calf which was similar to the Egyptians’ calf god, Apis.

To make the gold calf idol the people donated some of the gold jewelry they were given by the Egyptians whom God moved to be generous. Thus they misused God’s blessings.
“And the people of Israel did as Moses had instructed; they asked the Egyptians for clothing and articles of silver and gold. The Lord caused the Egyptians to look favorably on the Israelites, and they gave the Israelites whatever they asked for. So they stripped the Egyptians of their wealth!” Exodus 12:35-36

After Moses dispersed the mob worshipping the calf idol and destroyed it, God tested the people. He wanted to see if his people would choose obedience or continue to rebel. God told the people to take off all their jewelry. At God’s command, they removed the beautiful Egyptian jewelry from their bodies as an outward sign of contrition for making the calf idol and their decision to choose obedience to God. Shortly afterward they willingly donated much of it to the building of the Tabernacle where God’s Presence would be in a special way. This was a much better cause to donate to than making an idol which was destroyed immediately after its manufacture! The Tabernacle they contributed to was a place of worship for over 400 years until a permanent Temple was built in Jerusalem by King Solomon. Obedience always involves sacrifice- sacrificing what we want in order to do what God wants. But obedience always brings rewards far better and longer lasting than what we gave up!

So why would God have asked them to take off all the beautiful jewelry? Perhaps because Egyptian jewelry had symbolic meaning linked to their gods and goddesses. The motifs on their jewelry all had religious significance as did the colors of the stones and beads. Jewelry was an expression of their (false) religion and the worship of their gods.

“… the jewelry of ancient Egypt …infused and enriched by magical religious beliefs. Ornamentation is composed largely of symbols that have a precise name and meaning . . . The scarab, lotus flower, Isis knot, Horus eye, falcon, serpent, vulture, and sphinx are all motif symbols tied up with … religious cults, the gods, and the cult of the dead.” https://www.britannica.com/art/jewelry/Egyptian

We may not be wearing jewelry representing a belief in gods and goddesses (although I was surprised to find Egyptian jewelry reproductions for sale online complete with the names of the gods associated with them). But what are we to learn from this Biblical narrative?

Why do you suppose God’s people were wearing the jewelry they had plundered from the Egyptians? Maybe because for 400 years they had been despised, mistreated slaves who had watched their all Egyptian neighbors wear lovely adornment from childhood to burial. But they, out of all the classes in that country could not wear jewelry. I’m sure they admired the beautiful necklaces, bracelets, armbands, and rings made with the exquisite craftsmanship of their overlords. Likely the jewelry and the lovely clothing of the Egyptians symbolized to them the power and abundance of their masters. Once these items came into their possession, it was natural for them to mimic their former masters and flaunt their new wealth.

Yet, God had a better plan. He didn’t want his special people to imitate the pagan Egyptians. He didn’t want them to become a mini Egypt. He wanted them to leave behind their years in Egypt with a slave mentality. He wanted to give them new values, new hopes and dreams, self-respect and self-discipline, and new dedication to the one true God. He wanted to give them a brand new, happy life walking in truth and freedom. He wanted them to learn that obedience to God means giving up something we think we want in exchange for true and lasting happiness.

This caused me to do some soul-searching. What have I adopted from my own pagan culture in 21st century America that doesn’t have a place in my life as a God-pleaser? Our culture values appearances, power (politically, socially, physically), money and all it can buy, and sex outside of God’s good plan. In what ways am I imitating this society? How much time/money do I spend trying to look good/successful/intelligent? Do my spending priorities reflect my culture or my allegiance to God? Do I serve others with love, or am I self-serving? Do I bravely stand for what God values, or go with what’s culturally acceptable because I fear being canceled? Do I try to cultivate relationships that will help me get ahead or am I content to associate with the powerless? Do I have such a high opinion of my capabilities that I insist on taking on more than I can complete? Do I wish for more money, influence, or beauty than I presently have? Does obeying God make me happier than doing what I want?

“For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself [Leviticus 19:18].” Galatians 5:13-14

I want to live the happy, full life of someone who has been set free from a mindset of slavery. I’m not at the mercy of inner or outer pressures. I don’t have to wear expensive clothing or jewelry to feel beautiful because by God’s grace, I’m cultivating the inner beauty that he values. I’m not bound to repeat the addictions and immorality of a parent. I’m not a slave to my selfish inclinations. I’m free to choose a better life- a life of happy obedience. I don’t have to wear a goddess necklace for protection. I have God’s Spirit in me to protect me. I don’t have to wear a god bracelet to give me power. I have the power of God at work in me. I don’t have to sacrifice to a golden calf idol. I bow down to the one true God who sent his own Son to be the one sacrifice to pay for our sins.

“He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.” Ephesians 1:7

For further reading:
“…these [jewelry] were objects of display, protection and power….Jewelry often held apotropaic powers for its wearer – both living and dead. Color and material were significant, protecting the living from disease and danger. “ arce.org/resource/egyptian-jewelry-window-ancient-culture/

“Not only did jewelry reflect the wealth and social status of its wearer, it was thought to help ward off evil spirits, both here and in the afterlife…Men, women, and children routinely adorned themselves with the best jewelry they could afford … An abundance of jewelry indicated that the gods were happy with the wearer and was thus blessing him or her. . . All classes in the Egyptian society wore jewelry except the slaves.” https://www.ancient-egypt-online.com/ancient-egypt-fashion.html