Definition: And Moses returned unto the LORD, and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Exodus 32:31. It’s a really important and somewhat dramatic passage in the Bible. Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: God is deeply disappointed with the people of Israel. He sees them as having made a big mistake – they’ve started to worship himself instead of worshipping Him . Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Moses returned unto the LORD…” : This tells us that Moses, a very important leader in the Israelites' history, went back to God. It signifies a moment of repentance and seeking His guidance. “…and said, Oh, this people have sinned a great sin…” : This is the core of the verse. Moses is saying that the Israelites have done something seriously wrong – they’ve gone beyond just following the laws of the land and started to worship something other than God . He's pointing out a major transgression. “…and have made them gods of gold.” : This is the shocking part. Moses says they’ve turned to worshipping himself ! They’ve become so focused on their own authority and power that they believe they can worship God – which is a very strange and dangerous idea. He's comparing it to making idols, which was forbidden in the Old Testament. What does this mean for us? This verse highlights a key point about humanity: we often fall into the trap of seeking things that are not truly God. It’s a warning against idolatry – worshipping anything other than God. It reminds us to always remember that God is the ultimate authority and source of everything. In short, it's a story about a shift in focus from worshiping God to worshipping something else – something that doesn't belong to Him. --- Do you want me to: Explain another verse? Discuss the context of this passage within the larger history of the Israelites? Talk about what this verse says about our relationship with God?