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4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing
Ex 20:4-6 (KJV)
Hab. 2:18.(cross reference) Exodus 20:5- It also forbids us to make images of God in our fancies, as if he were a man as we are. Our religious worship must be governed by the power of faith, not by the power of imagination. They must not make such images or pictures as the heathen worshipped, lest they also should be tempted to worship them. Those who would be kept from sin must keep themselves from the occasions of it. Matthew Henry Com".
Wow have we been doing this?
This one always have made me tremble; For some reason I used to try and justify this and out of my ignorance or lack of knowledge of God's word; I didn't know that this was to be taken literal like all the other commands, People would want to argue saying that "I have them, but as long as I'm not bowing down and worshipping them it's okay". But I'm not ashamed to say I just noticed today for the first time that these are two separate commandments; and the fourth says we're not supposed to even make them.
So this leads to my question; As a believer; how to you handle this; since obedience is better than sacrifice?
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; 6 And shewing
Ex 20:4-6 (KJV)
Hab. 2:18.(cross reference) Exodus 20:5- It also forbids us to make images of God in our fancies, as if he were a man as we are. Our religious worship must be governed by the power of faith, not by the power of imagination. They must not make such images or pictures as the heathen worshipped, lest they also should be tempted to worship them. Those who would be kept from sin must keep themselves from the occasions of it. Matthew Henry Com".
Wow have we been doing this?
This one always have made me tremble; For some reason I used to try and justify this and out of my ignorance or lack of knowledge of God's word; I didn't know that this was to be taken literal like all the other commands, People would want to argue saying that "I have them, but as long as I'm not bowing down and worshipping them it's okay". But I'm not ashamed to say I just noticed today for the first time that these are two separate commandments; and the fourth says we're not supposed to even make them.
So this leads to my question; As a believer; how to you handle this; since obedience is better than sacrifice?
If they are two seperate commandments, then exactly what does the 'them' in verse 5 mean?
I'd also like to add, legalism isn't pretty. (Romans 10:4, I think)
In the Israelite's day, they were tempted to bow down to physical idols. People's basic natures haven't changed. My "graven image" might be my car, my job, etc. And, like you said, yhwh,
Quote:
People would want to argue saying that "I have them, but as long as I'm not bowing down and worshipping them it's okay".
as soon as we're justifying something, what are we worshipping?
17 `Do not suppose that I came to throw down the law or the prophets--I did not come to throw down, but to fulfil; 18 for, verily I say to you, till that the heaven and the earth may pass away, one iota or one tittle may not pass away from the law, till that all may come to pass. 19 `Whoever therefore may loose one of these commands--the least--and may teach men so, least he shall be called in the reign of the heavens, but whoever may do and may teach them, he shall be called great in the reign of the heavens. 20 `For I say to you, that if your righteousness may not abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye may not enter to the reign of the heavens.
Matt 5:17-20 (YLT)
This is a good question that does not have a good answer without succumbing to legalisms.
My own feeling is that creation of idols, even if not intended for personal worship is forbidden.
We are not to create these graven images; or to worhsip them; because.
These phrases are linked for a reason. They are not terminated sentences, each standing on it's own merit, but rely on the previous to give it meaning.
I think creating "graven images" by itself is not bad, unless the intent of the image is to facilitate some worship by someone. If the image being created is a commonly associated idol then it's creation is definitely sinful. If it is a "new" image being created with the intent that it can be used in place of a common idol image, then it too is sinful.
I can make a distinction in my mind about images created for artistic pleasure and recreational intent as long as the ultimate value of the object falls below worship, even of God. God was clear that he did not want any images to substitute for him in our worship.
This is a good question that does not have a good answer without succumbing to legalisms.
My own feeling is that creation of idols, even if not intended for personal worship is forbidden.
We are not to create these graven images; or to worhsip them; because.
These phrases are linked for a reason. They are not terminated sentences, each standing on it's own merit, but rely on the previous to give it meaning.
I think creating "graven images" by itself is not bad, unless the intent of the image is to facilitate some worship by someone. If the image being created is a commonly associated idol then it's creation is definitely sinful. If it is a "new" image being created with the intent that it can be used in place of a common idol image, then it too is sinful.
I can make a distinction in my mind about images created for artistic pleasure and recreational intent as long as the ultimate value of the object falls below worship, even of God. God was clear that he did not want any images to substitute for him in our worship.
What about images of angels that a lot of people have in their homes and sanctuaries? Does this mean that I'm supposed get rid of my granddaughter's
teddy bears? and little figurines? according to verse 4 Exodus;
I'm learning here thanks for posting
In the Israelite's day, they were tempted to bow down to physical idols. People's basic natures haven't changed. My "graven image" might be my car, my job, etc. And, like you said, yhwh, as soon as we're justifying something, what are we worshipping?
I'm trying to discuss with you and Alpha and johnrex and reply at the same time
please be patient with me;
I'm trying to get to the bottom of this.
Matthew 5:20, says He came to fulfill the law and the prophets;
not to destroy.. I'm researching while I'm posting; help me out anyway you can
I mean chime in
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