The People Turn to Idolatry

Stephen's Witness · Acts 7

Story guide: Stephen recounts the people rejecting Moses and making a calf, then cites the prophetic rebuke of their idolatry. This illustration depicts the calf episode within his speech.

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39Our fathers were unwilling to become obedient to him, but rejected him and turned back in their hearts to Egypt,

40saying to Aaron, ‘Make gods for us who will go before us, for this Moses, who led us out from the land of Egypt—we do not know what has happened to him.’

41And in those days they made a calf and offered a sacrifice to the idol, and they were rejoicing in the works of their hands.

42But God turned away and gave them over to serve the host of heaven, just as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you offer to me slain offerings and sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?’

43And you took up the tent of Moloch and the star of the god Rephan, the images that you made to worship them, and I will deport you beyond Babylon.

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