By the calf the Israelites sinned, thus by wild animals they were punished, “so that they might learn that one is punished by the very things by which one sins.”

Another way to consider the “golden calf syndrome” is to view it as that idolatry into which the faithful fall when they consider religious experiences they have to be representative of God himself.  The path of faith is a dark journey through the desert, and when one comes upon water flowing from a rock one may be tempted to remain there in rapt attention at the wonder – thus turning what was intended to be a source of strength for the continuing journey into an object of worship.

(think also of Paul mentioning how the wicked will be left in the confusion of their own thoughts as punishment)