The Second Commandment

The Ten Commandments, the Top Ten list summarizing all the laws of God.

The First Commandment warns against worshiping anyone or anything or any false god. Only YHWH, God who revealed Himself to the Jews who became the incarnate Christ is to be worshiped (Proverbs 6:32-35). This second one continues that thought: You are never to have an image representing the true God; thus the calf idol made by Aaron was condemned, bringing punishment and death. Images are NOT to be used in Christian or Jewish worship at all. Let no one say. "But they help to..." God has commanded: Don't Do It.

#2. YOU SHALL NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELF AN IDOL (ENGRAVED IMAGE). YOU SHALL NOT BOW DOWN TO THEM OR WORSHIP THEM; FOR I, YHWH YOUR GOD, AM A JEALOUS GOD, PUNISHING THE CHILDREN FOR THE SIN OF THE FATHERS TO THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION OF THOSE WHO HATE ME.

Every image that is religious in nature, supposedly representing God or to assist in worship in some sort of way, violates the Commandment. This would include statues of false gods such as Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, Buddha, Mary, the saints, your dashboard icon, your icon that you bury in the backyard to sell the house, etc. The black stone at mecca, the gods of Egypt, Rome, Greece, and the pagans. No idolatry. No prayers to them, through them, no tossing coins at them or leaving them drink or food offerings; no thinking they represent something or someone holy or godly. Paul tells us, "The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God" (1 Corinthians 10:20).

There is another problem. Almost every single book of the Old Testament warns against false prophets. Almost every single book of the New Testament warns against false teachers and preachers. Misrepresenting God creates a false god, an idol. The Mormon god who used to be a man is an idol. The created god-like being Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses is an idol. The god of the Deists is an idol. The god of the prosperity preachers is an idol. The god of the open and affirming churches is an idol. Earth as a goddess is an idol. Calling God a "she" is an idol. Ancestor worship is idolatry. Humanism is idolatry.

Now to the "jealous God" part that so offended Oprah that she walked away from Christianity. She, and others, misunderstand it. Do they forget that God is our Creator and Sustainer, King, Father, Husband, Provider, Savior, the giver of every good thing we have (James 1:17)? He is deserving of our complete love and devotion (back to Commandment One). To turn away, to turn to another, is considered adultery. This is taught again and again in the Bible. THIS is why God says He is a "jealous" God.

In this case I would say God is anthropomorphizing Himself to make things easier to understand for us. “Of whom were you worried and fearful When you lied, and did not remember Me Nor give Me a thought?” (Isaiah 57:11, NASB). Throughout the Bible God speaks of His relationship with His people as a marriage. He faithfully loves and provides, even protects. People should respond with love, honor, and respect. When we do not, when we chase after other gods or other loves, we are considered adulterous. Romans 1 condemns our ingratitude (Romans 1:21-23). Thus, God has used the word “jealous.”

The Bible also teaches that when the jealousy of a husband is aroused because of adultery, there is only the expectation of wrath (Proverbs 6:32-35). How much more so with our Creator? And the repercussions of adultery always affect the children, the next generation and the next. When one turns away from God, generations are affected. Children of drunks are often drunkards, children of abusers often abuse, children of the divorced often divorce or don't even marry, fatherless children often have children out of wedlock; so those who abandon God set an example for their children and their children’s children, bringing disaster upon themselves and the generations that follow.

But to those who love God: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6-7).

So having looked at two of the Commandments now, we are 0-2.

We need a Savior.

Steve Drain