And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. (Exodus 32:6)
So enthusiastic and wrought up were the people over their newfound religion that they could not rise early enough to begin its worship.
Sat down to eat.
Only certain portions of sacrificial victims were commonly burned, the rest being eaten by the offerers.
Rose up to play.
This was a sensual exercise. Heathen sacrificial feasts terminated in the most profligate orgies (Num. 25:1-9; 1 Cor. 10:7, 8). This episode illustrates the warfare that is constantly going on in human nature between the flesh and the Spirit (Rom. 7:23; 8:1-13). From the time the Israelites left Egypt they had been leading a spiritual life, depending upon the unseen God and reposing under His protection. At length, however, when the restraining influence of Moses’ example and guidance was removed, evil prevailed. They reverted to idolatry, and in so doing, to the licentiousness that was inseparably connected with heathen worship. Sensual pleasure masqueraded as religion (2 Tim. 3:4, 5). Such religion is as pleasing to the multitudes now as it was in the days of Israel. And there are still pliant leaders to yield to the desires of the unconsecrated and encourage them in sin (PP 317).