The Ten Commandments - Second Commandment

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Second Commandment Continuing the series on The Ten Commandments, this second one always seemed to be part of the first, which is probably the result of my upbringing in the Lutheran church, which subdivided the last commandment into two and even had an eleventh commandment. I couldn’t tell you what that one is anymore. I hope this series is helping refresh your memories for those of you familiar with The Ten Commandments and even letting you know what they are for those of you unfamiliar with them. Here then is the Second Commandment. Exodus 20:4 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 mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. It might seem hard to keep this commandment as so many people have pictures depicting Christ, the cross, and even wear jewelry showing they are Christians. Is this bad? There are denominations that think so and have gone to the extreme. However, I don’t worship the pictures that hang on my walls, nor do I bow down to the jewelry I hang around my neck. I hope having such things shows people I’m a Christian and nothing more. Even having a fish on the back on your car is a symbol, nothing more. However, that is not what this commandment is about. It is worshiping God’s creation instead of God who created it. Paul had something to say about that. Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (KJV) As you can see, it is not God’s creation we are to worship, but we are to give God our worship and praise in everything we do, think, and say. The psalmist also had something to say about idols – the work of men’s hands. Psalm 115:1 Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. 2 Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? 3 But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men's hands. 5 They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not: 6 They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not: 7 They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat. 8 They that make them are like unto them; so is every one that trusteth in them. (KJV) Jeremiah also had this to say about idols. Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. 4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. 5 They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good. 6 Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. 7 Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. 8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities. (KJV) It isn’t a sin to have Christian jewelry, pictures hanging in your homes, or bumper stickers proclaiming you are a Christian. The sin comes in when we worship those images, forged with man’s hands. Image courtesy of Pixabay