Cutting Out Idols – The Ten Commandments Part 3.
Are we capable of cutting out idols that are part of daily life? Stephen March explores the meaning of the second of the Ten Commandments.
The Second Commandment
We come now to the second commandment, which in many ways is much like the first, but there are some important differences. The first commandment, which we looked at in the previous episode, dealt with God’s instruction to have no other gods besides Him, another name we use for that is idolatry. The second commandment is similar, as it also deals with idolatry, but in a slightly different way. Here is what the commandment says, as found in Exodus chapter 20 and verse 4;
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them, or serve them for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
As usual there is a lot to unpack here. Let’s start by separating this commandment from the first one. Often times when we consider the idea of idols and following after false gods, especially in the Bible, we think of the Baals and the Asherahs, which involved the building of high places and statues and people would bow down to these objects, so the two seem to go hand in hand. While we often see these things together, the second is not needed for the first, and at least in some sense, the first is not required for the second.
Reviewing the First Commandment
God’s first commandment, was to have no other gods before him, that is, not to give anyone, or anything, a higher priority in our lives than we give God. If we remember that these commandments were given to the Israelites on their journey to the promised land, Canaan. In Canaan there were people who were following a host of other gods. The first commandment was given to keep the Israelites from following after, or believing in those gods and not the one true God. No graven images would be needed for that to happen, just a decision in the hearts of the individuals.
The Idea of Idolatry
When we get to this second commandment, the idea of idolatry is not so much believing in false gods, but creating an image, that is then worshipped, and ascribing to that image power, or authority, or glory that rightfully belongs to God. Now if we look at the extension of the commandment, not to make a carved image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or the earth or the things of earth or the sea, we can see how this is still a commandment for those who have not followed after false gods.
If a person were to put their faith in the goddess Asherah, and then build an Asherah pole or a statue to worship, yes, they will have violated the second commandment, but they would have already broken the first one by putting their faith in another god. However, by commanding not to make a carved image of even that which is in heaven above, for the purpose of worship, would mean that even to make a statue of the Almighty God, and then to bow down to that statue is a violation of this commandment.
Artistry and Idolatry
It’s important to bring clarity as this can be a touchy subject sometimes. There is a difference between artistry and idolatry. Many believers in Christ may have a cross on a wall or even wear one on a chain around their neck. They may do so simply as a reminder to themselves, or a witness to those around them. This would not constitute a transgression of the second commandment. If the same person put faith in that cross on their wall to protect their household from evil, or perhaps feel that they need to kneel down under that cross to pray in order to be heard, that’s where it would cross over into idolatry.
At that point the person has taken what should be faith in God and placed it in an object, to do what God does for us according to His will. So even though the person hasn’t necessarily broken the first commandment, in that their faith is still in the true God of the Bible, they have assigned some of his power and glory to an object.
The Ark of the Covenant and Symbolism
There is a great example of this that comes shortly after the ten commandments. The people of Israel are told to build the tabernacle, it’s furnishings, and among them the ark of the covenant. Atop the ark was the mercy seat, on which golden cherubim were to be fashioned and placed.
At first glance, this may seem like a call to break commandment number two, but remember, the command deals with images for worshipping. The Israelites were not called to worship the ark, or the cherubim, they were to be built for symbolism, and aesthetics. In fact, in 1 Samuel chapter 4, we see the army of Israel defeated and the ark captured, because they did use it improperly, they put their faith in the ark instead of in God, where it belonged.
Worshiping a Representation of God
This commandment carries with it the idea of not worshipping the right God, in the wrong way. In this case, the wrong way would be to worship a representation of God. There are a number of good reasons for that. In Isaiah 46:5-9,
“To whom will you liken me and make me equal, and compare me that we will be alike? Those who lavish gold from the purse, and weigh out silver in the scales, hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god; then they fall down and worship! They lift it to their shoulders, they carry it, they set it in its place, and it stands there; it cannot move from its place. If one cries to it, it does not answer or save him from his trouble. Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me.”
Idols are Powerless
This passage gives again an affirmation that these idols are powerless, more than that, the wording suggests that these so called gods we make, are actually subject to us, and to our will, they can’t do anything on their own. That would apply to both idols of pagan gods and idols of the God of the Bible. As for the graven images of the true God, notice the last part of the passage, “For I am God and there is no other, I am God and there is none like me.” No matter how hard we try, we could never fashion any object, that would even come close to being a true representation of God.
Creation Reveals God’s Power and Glory
In the Bible, God uses His creation to reveal His power and glory to us. Psalm 19:1 reads
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.”
Again, in Romans 1:19-20 the Bible tells us that what can be known about God is plain to us, because God has shown it to us,
“For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the foundation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
God doesn’t need an idol of Himself, all of creation, the world itself, reveals who He is to us.
God’s Chosen People
Not only that, but God historically has shown his character and glory through His chosen people, not through what they did, but what He did through them, and in their lives. In the Old Testament we can see this with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, then with the children of Israel. In Deuteronomy 7, God reveals that He chose Israel “out of love”, not because they were the largest nation, for they were the smallest.
Throughout the Old Testament, we find passages where God says to the people of Israel, that “They,” that is either the people of Israel themselves or the surrounding nations, “they will know that I am the Lord,” and it was based on the mighty works that God was doing through this small nation. Even today, with the number of enemies that Israel has had throughout history, it can be said to be no small miracle that the nation still exists.
God Reveals His Character Through Jesus
When we get to the New Testament, God reveals his power and glory through himself, in the person of His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus lived the perfect life according to not just the ten commandments, but according to all 600 plus commands of the law. He alone could do this by virtue of His divine nature, as God. He then becomes the very demonstration of God’s love for His chosen people, by dying on the cross for our sin. The big difference now is that the promise of God’s love, mercy, and grace is not just limited to the children of Israel, but is available to all mankind through faith in Jesus Christ.
In John 12, shortly before Jesus goes to the cross, he says this:
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it thundered. Others said, an angel has spoken to him. Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
Glory Reflected in the Lives of Believers
Today, the glory of God is reflected in the lives of believers who are living according to their faith. This statement alone, if we are believers in Christ, should cause us to pause and examine ourselves to see how we are living. In Matthew chapter five, Jesus tells his followers that we are “the light of the world,” and we should “let our light shine before others, so that they may see our good works and give glory to our Father who is in heaven.” What is that light? According to the gospel of John, it is Christ himself, in John 1 the writer declares Jesus to be the true light, which enlightens everyone, and comes from the life he brings. Later in John 15:8, Jesus would say to his disciples,
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”
Now this idea of bearing fruit has had a few different interpretations in the church over the years, but the best scriptural association is found in Galatians 5:22, where it says
“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Reflecting God’s Glory
If we live according to the way God wants us to, and that’s only possible by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, even then we will still fall, we’re not perfect. But if we endeavour to live God’s way, then this fruit will be seen in our lives, and these things, love, joy, peace and so on, are the attributes of God’s character and nature, His glory. So when we walk in the Spirit, we reflect God’s glory, and then can direct all praise to Him.
God doesn’t need idols to make himself known. He does that Himself, whether through nature, the Israelite, His own Son, or the church today, He wants all men to know who He is, and to believe in Him and in His Son Jesus, because He loves us, and wants what is best for us.
Do you think the 10 Commandments are still important today? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Stephen March
Stephen March is the President of FBH International and HopeStreamRadio. He graduated from the Broadcasting Program at Niagara College in 2001, and has previously worked in television production and post-production. Stephen lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, with his wife Corinne and their four children.
Read and hear more from Stephen March on his contributor’s page. Stephen currently has 5 Programs on HopeStreamRadio:
- Please Forgive Me
- Isolation Chronicles
- Faith By Hearing – The Twelve
- Bibles and Baseball
- Bible Tech Talk
More Podcasts Below:
More Blogs
Why Did Jesus Say “I Am the Bread of Life
Images courtesy of:
Cross – HannahJoe7
Buddhist Temple – kalyanayahaluwo
The Ark of the Covenant – Public Domain
Jesus – Public Domain
Leave a Reply