Why Would Aaron consent to making the golden calf when he had been appointed priest forever?
Aaron and his descendants were appointed as priests perpetually throughout Judaism (Exodus 28:40-43; 29:9; Numbers 18:1; 1 Chronicles 23:13). There is no acceptable explanation for Aaron’s willingness to craft a golden calf by which the Israelites resorted to idolatry in the absence of Moses. Commentators agree that a riotous throng of discontented Israelites compelled Aaron to make them “gods,” but he did not have to comply. He may have shared the discontent of the mob and likewise believed that Moses had perished on the fiery mountaintop. Aaron may have been afraid of his fellows and out of weakness complied to preserve his life. Aaron, some suggest, may have opted for the golden calf, hoping the people would not part with the gold or that the time required for the making the idol would sufficiently stall the people until Moses returned. Perhaps Aaron, believing Moses had died, thought this was his opportunity to assume leadership of the vast Israelite population.
Aaron’s betrayal of God is especially difficult to fathom in view of his consecration to the priesthood under Judaism. Yet, Christians are style priests under the New Testament (1 Peter 2:5, 9). Really, it was no more blameworthy for Aaron to violate his priesthood than it is for Christians today to mar their priesthood by their sinfulness. God was angry with Aaron for constructing the golden calf and desired to kill him, but the prayers of Moses intervened (Deuteronomy 9:20-21). God is no happier with Christians who pursue sin today.
