John Calvin Commentary Acts 7:41

"And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands." — Acts 7:41 (ASV)

And they made a calf. We can easily gather from what precedes this why they were more delighted in that figure than in any other. For although Egypt swarmed with innumerable idols, it is well known that they held an ox in the highest regard. And why is it that they were so desirous to have an idol, if not because they had turned back to Egypt in their hearts, as Stephen has already said?

We must note the statement when he says that they offered sacrifice to the idol. Aaron commands the people to assemble to worship God; they all come together. Therefore, they testify that they intend anything but to defraud God of His worship, however much they transfer that worship to the calf; indeed, they are determined to worship God in the image of the calf.

But because they forsook the true God by making an idol, whatever follows afterward is judged to be given to the idol, because God refuses all wicked worship. For it is not fitting to consider that which He has not commanded as bestowed upon Him.

Furthermore, because He expressly forbids them to erect any visible image to Him, whatever is done afterward in its honor is mere sacrilege.

They rejoiced over the works. This statement is taken from Isaiah, and indeed, from the prophets, who similarly reproach the Jews for being delighted in their own inventions. And surely it is astonishing madness when men arrogate to themselves anything in God’s matters. I take this rejoicing to be that solemn dancing of which Moses speaks in Exodus 32.

Yet Stephen touches upon a common vice with which idolaters are infected. For although it is altogether unlawful for men to attempt anything in religion which God has not appointed, yet they invent everything rashly; and, making light of the Word of God, they choose the works of their own hands.

But Stephen shows that while they take such pleasure in this liberty, they displease God all the more.

If we want God to approve our worship, we must abstain from the works of our hands—that is, from our own inventions. For everything that men devise on their own is nothing but sacrilegious profanation.

The idol is properly so called reproachfully, as it were, a worthless thing, because no reason permits man to make God.