Exodus 32

While Moses is on Mount Sinai receiving the law, the people grow impatient and pressure Aaron to make them gods to lead them. Aaron collects their gold jewelry and fashions it into a golden calf. The people worship the idol and proclaim, "These are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt." God angrily tells Moses He will destroy the rebellious nation, but Moses intercedes for the people. Moses descends, shatters the stone tablets, grinds the calf to dust, and forces the people to drink it. The Levites side with Moses and execute 3,000 men.