7:148 During his absence, Moses’ people made from their jewelry the statue of a calf, complete with the sound of a calf.* Did they not see that it could not speak to them, or guide them in any path? They worshiped it, and thus turned wicked.
*7:148 How the golden calf acquired the sound of a calf is explained in Footnote 20:96.
7:149 Finally, when they regretted their action, and realized that they had gone astray, they said, “Unless our Lord redeems us with His mercy, and forgives us, we will be losers.”
When Moses returned to his people, angry and disappointed, he said, “What a terrible thing you have done in my absence! Could you not wait for the commandments of your Lord?” He threw down the tablets, and took hold of his brother’s head, pulling him towards himself. (Aaron) said, “Son of my mother, the people took advantage of my weakness, and almost killed me. Let not my enemies rejoice, and do not count me with the transgressing people.”
7:151 (Moses) said, “My Lord, forgive me and my brother, and admit us into Your mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful.”
7:152 Surely, those who idolized the calf have incurred wrath from their Lord, and humiliation in this life. We thus requite the innovators.
7:153 As for those who committed sins, then repented thereafter and believed, your Lord – after this – is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
7:154 When Moses’ anger subsided, he picked up the tablets, containing guidance and mercy for those who reverence their Lord.
7:155 Moses then selected seventy men from among his people, to come to our appointed audience. When the quake shook them, he said, “My Lord, You could have annihilated them in the past, together with me, if You so willed. Would You annihilate us for the deeds of those among us who are foolish? This must be the test that You have instituted for us. With it, You condemn whomever You will, and guide whomever You will. You are our Lord and Master, so forgive us, shower us with Your mercy; You are the best Forgiver.
<strong>Michael Rubinstein: See invisible motion, hear silent sounds. Cool? Creepy? We can’t decide</strong>
7:150 – Moses was strong, but not well spoken. Aaron was eloquent, but not physically strong. We each have our strengths and weaknesses.
20:94 He said, “O son of my mother, do not pull me by my beard and my head. I was afraid that you might say, ‘You have divided the Children of Israel, and disobeyed my orders.’ “
The Children of Israel u all their wealth together and put their trust in these entities i.e. banks.
Why would the Samarian build the calf despite what the signs he saw from God?
Both believers and disbelievers are inspired, except the believers are inspired by God and the disbelievers by the devil. Which we are inspired by is dependent by the deeds we have done in the past – see 3:155.
7:117 We then inspired Moses: “Throw down your staff,” whereupon it swallowed whatever they fabricated.
4:163 We have inspired you, as we inspired Noah and the prophets after him. And we inspired Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, the Patriarchs, Jesus, Job, Jonah, Aaron, and Solomon. And we gave David the Psalms.
20:96 He said, “I saw what they could not see. I grabbed a fistful (of dust) from the place where the messenger stood, and used it (to mix into the golden calf). This is what my mind inspired me to do.”
3:155 Surely, those among you who turned back the day the two armies clashed have been duped by the devil. This reflects some of the (evil) works they had committed. GOD has pardoned them. GOD is Forgiver, Clement.
Why was there so much adoration for calfs at the time of Moses?