The Ten Commandments: Worship The Right Way

Exodus 20:3-4 "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."
     The second commandment brings a startling revelation--it is quite possible to worship the true god in a false way. Some religious traditions have considered this part of the first commandment. The final commandment is then split into two parts (don't covet your neighbor's wife/ don't covet your neighbor's goods), but when you study the text you see that this is a mistake. The first commandment (no other gods before me) is about worshiping the true God. Whereas the second commandment (no graven image) is about worshiping the true God in the right way. A clear command by God that we worship Him on His terms. In other words, how we worship is nearly as important as the object of our worship. Maybe you have your doubts about this, but consider King Jehu in 2 Kings 10:18-31.  One comes away from that text with two striking observations. First, God deeply hates the worship of false gods. Second, the right God can be worshiped in the wrong way, oh and by the by, He's not okay with it.

     Jehu is a perfect example of the distinction between the first and second commandments. Jehu rids Israel of Baal worship for which God praises him and rewards him. But, and it's a BIG BUT, Jehu leaves the sacred calves. Why not, they were intended to represent the true God--Israel meant well--this was just their artistic rendering of Him. Yet, we are told that Jehu broke God's law. He broke the second commandment specifically. This is right about the time where thoughts of "it's kind of over kill isn't it," or "they meant well, let it go" begin to enter into our minds. Now these aren't thoughts we'd ever admit to anyone else but they are there nonetheless. Imagine with me for a moment that you are to be separated from your wife for some time. So in order to remember her, in order to keep her memory close, you draw a picture or even carve a statue that is your interpretation of her beautiful essence. After much blood, sweat, and tears you show her the final product which just happens to be a beautifully handcrafted cow. Once you fend off the punches to the shoulders and the loud shrieking you protest "but look at the craftsmanship," or "honey, you know how much I like cows and this is a beautiful cow, just like you're a beautiful woman." As the frying pan  smacks you upside the head you begin to realize the hard way---no matter the intentions, the picture is so far from the truth that it's a disgrace, offensive, and unacceptable. If the object of your artwork is offended then you've missed the mark.

     Now think in terms of the Infinite Creator of the Universe. He who hung the stars in their place, whom the heavens cannot contain, the Ancient of Days. You want to compare Him to a cow? Of course not, you're too sophisticated for that so let me ask it another way. You want to put Him on a $2 chain and hang him on your neck or keep Him in your pocket? He's not a God who can be held in your pocket, not a God who can be placed in the yard next to the lawn gnome. Nor is He a God who should be advertised as 25% off and placed next to the "Prayer of Jabez" bookmarks near the cashier. He is the transcendent God and cannot be reduced to a mere object. He refuses to be worshiped or portrayed in that way. When we make an image of God, it's an image we've created, an image we've fabricated. Suddenly our hopes are in a piece of metal with a "made in China" stamp on the back side. We transfer our hope to the thing on our dashboard rather than Jehovah God. When you reduce God to a figurine or a crucifix it implies human control. God is now something you can pick up or cover. He is something you can purchase or hide. Any god we control is really no god at all.

     "Through wrong worship, we give testimony to the wrong god. Every idol not only falls short of the reality of the true God, it lies about Him . . .God is not a fabricated deity. There is no assembly required-there is no assembly possible! Idolatry is absolutely delusional. This is why again and again in Scripture, the one true and living God will say, 'I made you! You did not make Me! And I made you in My image. You can't make an image of Me.'"--Al Mohler
     Genesis tells us that we were made in the image of God but because of sin that image is greatly tarnished. God's image in us is almost unrecognizable at times which is where Jesus enters the scene. Colossians 1:15 describes Jesus in this way "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation." Fortunately there is a point of contact for us as sinful humans. There is a Rock we can cling to, a Savior who can bring deliverance from the power and penalty of sin. That Rock is Jesus. In needing an image, in needing to cling to something, look to Jesus who is the "author and finisher of our faith." In Him we have forgiveness of sins.