That was later during the 40 years in the desert. The golden calf was ground up and moses made the people drink it. Also the staff with the bronze serpent was later taken out and worshipped like an idol when the kingdom was split. Sad sad sad.

People are never happy with God and worshipping Him. They either have to desecrate the worship which God loves or worship something else in place of God.

Both carry the same consequence.