Why was immorality part of pagan idol worship?
Pagan idol worship was always steeped in the most abject immorality, and that immorality was itself part of the worship. In the golden calf episode, Israel offered sacrifices, sat down to eat and drink, then rose up to play—meaning naked, seductive, lascivious dances—bringing Egypt’s depravity into their religion.
Les explains that paganism and idolatry were always steeped in the most abject immorality, and that this immorality was part of their worship. He notes that the Hebrew phrase “rose up to play” meant they were naked and put on seductive, lascivious dances. Though he is careful not to be too explicit for younger viewers, he refers to the movie The Ten Commandments and says Hollywood did not invent that scene; it reflected what actually happened. The Israelites brought this right out of Egypt, made the golden calf, and went down into a lower level of human depravity. They rose up early, offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, sat down to eat and drink, and then rose up to play.