Second Commandment
These are notes for an incomplete "Concept" page.
- Information is being added as the Bible Pages are added. In the end, everything will be compiled, further information added (as necessary), broken links connected, etc.
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Make no images or likenesses of the True God.
- We must not invent our own "interpretations" of who God is, but must accept in full what the Scriptures reveal about him.
- As with the other commands, this command represents an entire "category" of attitudes and actions.
| Exodus 20 | Deuteronomy 5 |
| Exo 20:4 You shall not make for yourselves an idol,
nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: |
Deu 5:8 You shall not make an engraved image for yourself,
nor 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: |
| Exo 20:5 you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them,
for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, Exo 20:6 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. |
Deu 5:9 you shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them;
for I, Yahweh, your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me; Deu 5:10 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. |
People who do not know God may read the verses about God "visiting the iniquity of the fathers... ," and invent a false caricature of God - describing him as "a vindictive God, who sends down thunderbolts on innocent people, because of things their parents did." In reality, the passage emphasizes the graciousness of God! He will be gracious for thousands of generations - if they will let him!
However, the very nature of creation causes the effects of one's sins to be "felt" by others. There is also a corporate aspect of human existence: in this world, there are certain consequences (whether blessings or judgments) that effect us as a group, rather than as individuals. This is why Scripture can accurately say that there will be consequences for the children of those who choose iniquity (even though God would prefer the alternative of "loving kindness").
We also need to consider these issues:
- The whole creation is designed so that our actions have consequences on others. (This is one of the reasons that each of us will be judged for the ways we express love - or lack of love - for God and neighbor.)
- Children tend to follow the ways of their parents, especially when it involves values (those values that are actually held, rather than merely expressed verbally). Parents who are filled with iniquity tend to have children who are also filled with iniquity. (See also: Sins of the Parents.)
Scripture Pages that Link to Here
- The original giving of the commandments.
- Restatement of the commands, just before entering the Promised Land.
- The people made a golden representation of God. They deserved death; but because of Moses, they weren't immediately annihilated. They did eventually die without entering the land; those who sinned had their names "blotted from God's book".
Exodus 33 and 34 (selected verses)
- Exo 34:17 You shall make no cast idols for yourselves. This passage is probably also related to the First Commandment, because the previous verses refer to the false gods in the land of Canaan.
- The description God gives for himself is repeated by Moses, as the reason that the people must obey God: Yahweh your God - he is God, the faithful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with them who love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations, and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him who hates him, he will repay him to his face.
- Worshiping the golden calves violated the second commandment - claiming that they represented Yahweh. (It was not a violation of the first commandment, which prohibited going after other "gods.")
Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.
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