Graven Image
Hope said:
"When God told us not to make any graven images, nor
any (likeness)of things in the heaven above,the earth beneath the heavens,under
the earth,or in the waters below the earth! What do you think he meant by that?
NOR ANY LIKENESS OF ANYTHING!"
Jim's reply:
Okay ........ Allow me to quote where that is found:
Exodus 20:3-6
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
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.
KJV
............................
What is the point God is making here? Is it the act of forming a "thing" which
God is saying is forbidden? No, not as I understand what is being said.
So what is the point? The point is the act of substituting the "image or
likeness" for that place where God belongs. It not the fact that this "thing"
exists but rather what someone does with it. It is the act of worshipping the
"thing" instead of worshipping God that is forbidden.
Here is another place in the Bible where it discusses the fact that idols (an
image or likeness) exist and of what importance these idols are to us as
"believer's in God":
1 Corinthians 8
8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols , we know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he
ought to know.
3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in
sacrifice unto idols , we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that
there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as
there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in
him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of
the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their
conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better;
neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock
to them that are weak.
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's
temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those
things which are offered to idols ;
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ
died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye
sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the
world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
KJV
Allow me to quote part of that again for emphasis:
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as
there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in
him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
............................................................
So what do I think God meant by that?
If I worship any "thing" and not God only, I am not a reverencing God as He
demands of me. I will die the "second death" if I do not repent of this sin and
put God as THE most important part of my life above all else.
From all that I have said and quoted above, I "could" collect artworks of say
... statuettes of the fat-bellied Buddha as just artworks (no worshipping them)
and not violate this commandment about "graven images". Will I do that in
reality? Absolutely not! I would not wish to give ANY visitor to my home the
opportunity to question whether God is first and foremost in my life.
j_b@holyscriptures.com