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

Exo 32:1

The golden calf incident in Exodus 32 is a defining moment that reveals much about human nature and our relationship with faith. Picture this: the Israelites, freshly liberated from slavery in Egypt, find themselves at Mount Sinai with a leader, Moses, who has quite literally gone up in smoke—or rather, a cloud of divine presence—to receive the commandments. It's been a while, and curiosity begins to bubble into anxiety among the people, sparking a desperate need for reassurance. When they shout, "Come, make us gods!" they manifest a palpable fear of the unknown.

The desire to create a tangible representation of God in the form of a calf—a bull often associated with fertility and strength—draws echoes from a history rich with polytheistic worship. Instead of waiting for Moses to return, they act out of impatience and uncertainty, showing how easily humans can fall into familiar patterns of belief, especially when faced with transitions.

As this chaos unfolds, it’s fascinating to see how quickly the Israelites turned back to a forgone conclusion based on their past experiences—as former slaves in Egypt, they likely witnessed similar idolatrous practices. This tale offers a backdrop to our understanding of how the seeming absence of a leader or a guiding figure inspires some to revert to ingrained habits, much like finding comfort food after a long day! In many ways, this misstep illustrates our shared humanity and the constant struggle to hold on to faith in challenging times.