The blame-placing and blame-shifting game is as old as the earth. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve began this game by placing blame for their actions on others instead of taking responsibility for their own choices. In this almost-funny account in the book of Exodus, the people of Israel have been waiting for Moses to return from speaking with the Lord. They have waited almost 40 days and are now feeling bored and eager for some action. Maybe they are scared or anxious too; not having a trusted guide at hand.
Regardless of what sparks the desire, they now reach out to Aaron, the second-in-command, to "make them gods who will lead them". Surprisingly, Aaron doesn't even hesitate. He immediately asks them to bring their gold jewelry. I imagine Aaron has been fantasizing about this for some time. I mean, he knows what materials they would need. The eager Israelites comply and soon Aaron has enough gold assembled. Exodus 32:4 says this about Aaron:
He collected the gold they brought and used a tool to fashion an idol in the shape of a calf. (The Voice)
Aaron asked for the materials - gold. Aaron got the tool. Aaron envisioned the design and brought it into reality, making a calf. Aaron, Aaron, Aaron. So, it boggles my mind, that when he gives his excuse to Moses, he says "So they gave me all their gold and I just tossed it into the fire, and out came this calf!" (Exodus 32:24, The Voice). I mean even when there is no one to shift the blame to, he still does his best to cast all responsibility away from himself.
This would be a tragically funny story if it wasn't also a depiction of what seems to happen to us in our daily lives. There are 3 questions I would like you to ponder with me:
Was Aaron just a pushover? Was he the kind of leader who just did what the people wanted, no questions asked? Maybe he was. He didn't seem to put up a fight when the people asked him for what they thought they wanted. Aaron had a great opportunity here, to redirect the people's hearts, and reassure them that God would never abandon His people and that Moses would return. Instead, he gave in to their wishes and also expanded on their vision by making not just any idol, but a golden calf, an expensive idol. Aaron gave in because he sought the people's approval and commendation more than the Lord's.
Was Aaron happy to finally be in charge? Was he jealous about Moses' authority and harbouring desires of his own at being the "top dog"? The speed at which he agreed to the demands of the Israelites was surprising. It seemed like he didn't think it through. But we know he did because he was very clear about what materials he needed and what he intended to design. He had clearly been fantasizing about what he would do once he was fully in charge of these incorrigible people.
Did Aaron shift from his purpose? Was he engaged in idleness instead of providing leadership and guidance in the absence of Moses? The Bible does not record what Aaron was doing at the time he was approached by the people. But we know he couldn't have been busy with higher-order tasks. Whatever he was engaged in, it was something that could be dropped in favor of listening to the people's voices, regardless of how misguided they may have been.
As a leader, I am taking away three lessons from Aaron's story:
Know your purpose: Without this, it would be easy to shift from the goal and get misaligned.
Own your authority: Once connected to your values, vision and purpose, own your authority. You may not be liked for standing for the right things, but you will be a leader who brings about the right results.
Take responsibility for your actions: This would be something like "Out came this calf because I designed it, and brought it into existence". Take responsibility even for the wrong actions, and do your best to right those wrongs.
Taking Responsibility,
M.
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