The gold earrings were worn by the people for self-beautification. This indicates that self-beautification leads to idolatry (cf. Gen. 35:4 and note Gen. 35:41). Furthermore, the gold in the earrings was given to the children of Israel by God before their exodus from Egypt (Exo. 12:35-36) and was to be used for the building of the tabernacle (Exo. 25:3; 35:5). However, before the gold could be used for God’s purpose, it was usurped by Satan and used by God’s people to make an idol. Hence, idolatry is Satan’s usurping and man’s abusing of what God has given for His purpose, in order to make it a waste.