Exodus 32:5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.
In Aaron’s case, he went a step further in the pursuit of favoritism, by announcing that there would be a feast to the Lord on the following day. The people had not asked for this, but Aaron, seeing the favor with which the newly formed idol was received, he went a step further and made the announcement for the following day. Thus, by not standing his ground initially, he opened the door to a slippery slope, and the great observer that satan is, made the most of the situation, to the detriment of many thousands.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 317] A religion that permits men, while observing the rites of worship, to devote themselves to selfish or sensual gratification, is as pleasing to the multitudes now as in the days of Israel. And there are still pliant Aarons, who, while holding positions of authority in the church, will yield to the desires of the unconsecrated, and thus encourage them in sin.
The question we have to answer for ourselves, in lieu of what we have studied, is “How can I stand my ground, when my turn comes? First, we will need the presence and power of Christ in the heart in order for us to do so. Persons might have the will, but the motive power to stand firm is from God alone. Having said that, the Christian will have some definite things to do, so as to cooperate with The Holy Ghost in standing firm.
Philippians 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study of His word. God bless!