Acts 7:40
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Acts 7:40
40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Chapter Context
Acts 7 is a historical narrative chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of sacrifice, fellowship, worship. Written during the late first century CE (c. 80-85 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Chronicles Christianity's spread across the Roman Empire despite official and unofficial opposition.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-60: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it contributes to the biblical metanarrative of redemption. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Acts and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Acts 7:40
40 Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
Analysis
Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. The golden calf incident epitomizes human idolatry—replacing the invisible God with tangible, controllable objects.
Make us gods reveals humanity's impulse toward idolatry when God seems absent or distant. Plural gods suggests they wanted multiple deities they could manipulate. To go before us shows desire for visible leadership—faith requires trusting an unseen God, which feels risky to fallen humanity.
The dismissal of Moses—we wot not what is become of him—shows how quickly devotion fades. Moses had been gone forty days (Exodus 24:18), and their impatience exploded into idolatry. This reveals human fickleness and the necessity of persevering faith.
Aaron's compliance (he made the calf) shows how spiritual leaders can fail under pressure. Reformed theology emphasizes human depravity affecting even covenant leaders. The tragedy: they attributed the Exodus to Moses rather than God, then replaced Moses with an idol. This double error—crediting deliverance to human instruments, then worshiping created things—marks all idolatry.
Historical Context
Exodus 32 records the golden calf incident occurring while Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai. The irony is profound—God was giving the second commandment ('no graven images') while below the people violated it.
Egypt's bull-worship (Apis bull) likely influenced their choice of a calf idol. Though freed physically from Egypt, Egyptian religious concepts still controlled their thinking. Stephen uses this to indict his audience: you've been freed from the old covenant's external forms, yet you resist the Spirit's internal work. The speech dates to 34-35 CE, addressing Jews who emphasized temple and ritual while rejecting Messiah.
Reflection
- What modern 'golden calves' do Christians create when God seems distant or silent?
- How does impatience in spiritual life lead to idolatry and substituting human leadership for divine guidance?
- Why is trusting an invisible God more difficult than following visible, tangible religion?
- In what ways do we attribute God's work to human instruments rather than recognizing divine agency?
- How should spiritual leaders respond when facing pressure to compromise truth for popular approval?
Word Studies
- God: Θεός (Theos) G2316 - God
Cross-References
- References God: Exodus 32:1, 32:23