The Sin of the Golden Calf and Moses' Intercession

Moses stayed on the mountain for a long time, and the people grew impatient. They asked Aaron to make them gods to worship. Aaron collected all the gold earrings from the people and melted them down to make a golden calf. The people danced around it excitedly and shouted, 'This is the god who brought you out of Egypt!' When God told Moses what was happening below, Moses hurried down the mountain. Seeing the golden calf and the people's wild celebration, he was filled with anger. He threw down the two stone tablets and broke them. He burned the golden calf, ground it to powder, mixed it with water, and made the people drink it. The Levites stood with Moses and remained faithful to God. Moses went back up the mountain and earnestly prayed to God, begging Him to forgive the people's sin.