“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.”
Historical Context:Exodus 20:4 is part of the Ten Commandments, which God gave to the Israelites through Moses at Mount Sinai. These commandments were given to guide the people in their relationship with God and with one another. The second commandment specifically addresses the prohibition against creating and worshiping idols.
The Prohibition:The verse begins with the commandment, “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.” It forbids the creation of any carved or molded images that represent God or anything else that would be worshiped as a deity. The verse further clarifies that this includes any likeness of things in heaven, on earth, or in the water.
Worshiping the One True God:The reason behind this commandment is to emphasise the uniqueness and singularity of God. The Israelites were to worship the one true God, who is unseen and spirit, rather than worshiping idols or representations of created things. The commandment serves to guard against the temptation to replace the worship of God with the worship of created beings or objects.
Rejecting Idolatry:Idolatry was a prevalent practice among the surrounding nations during that time. The Israelites had recently been delivered from Egypt, where they had witnessed the Egyptians’ idolatrous practices. God wanted to ensure that His chosen people would not fall into the same trap of worshiping false gods or attributing divinity to created things. By forbidding the making and worship of graven images, God was establishing His exclusive claim as the one true God.
Spiritual Worship:This commandment highlights the spiritual nature of worship. It directs the Israelites (and believers today) to focus on God’s essence rather than material representations. Worship should come from the heart, not from external images or symbols. God desires a genuine, personal, and spiritual relationship with His people, unencumbered by the limitations and distortions that idol worship can bring.
Application for Today:Though Exodus 20:4 was specifically given to the Israelites, its principles still apply to Christians today. While we may not be tempted to create physical idols, idolatry can take different forms in our modern context. It can manifest as the worship of money, power, possessions, or even the excessive adoration of celebrities or material objects. This commandment reminds us to keep our focus on God alone and to worship Him with sincerity and truth.
