The answer is: They didn't know what had happened to Moses

Exo 32:1

The story of the golden calf is a fascinating and cautionary tale found in Exodus 32. Imagine this: the Israelites had just witnessed miracles. They were liberated from slavery, crossed the Red Sea, and had the dramatic presence of God on Mount Sinai. They waited for Moses there, but when he delayed in coming down, uncertainty intensified as time dragged on. Fear and confusion quickly bubbled to the surface. Without a visible leader, they felt lost.

This illustrates a deeply human tendency to seek comfort in tangible things. The Israelites struggled to trust in the unseen God after dependence on Moses—or perhaps grew impatient for their guiding figure's return. They longed for the tangible presence of a deity, which leads them to create the golden calf, an image rooted in the cultures they once lived among, replacing their faith with worship of an idol.

Interestingly, the golden calf relates to practices seen in various ancient civilizations that symbolized strength and fertility, pointing out a fascinating cross-cultural connection that resonates throughout biblical narratives. Truly, this echoes the response of communities facing a loss of leadership – the propensity to cling to visible markers over faith in divine guidance.

What’s remarkable, though, is how mirrors of frustration and uncertainty prevail throughout history. Each year, people face moments delving back into the "calfs" we create: habits, quick comforts, or wrong relationships when we lose sight of our guidance. The story serves as a powerful reminder to cultivate patience… and trust that providence is at work, even when we may feel abandoned in the wilderness.