“Do men make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods.” (Jeremiah 16:20).
In the commandment, “You shall not make for yourselves an idol,” the word ispesel, indicating something carved or hewn. In subsequent passages,peselwas applied to images of metal and wood, as well as those of stone. Other terms, such asnēsekandmassēkâ,massēbâ,ōseb, andmaskit,also indicate a material or manner of manufacture. Almighty God says not to worship idols (or images); nor created things (trees, rocks, animals, astronomical bodies, or another human being, pictures, nor any other gods); not to use idols in the worship of Yahweh (God), the deity worshiped by the Israelites and Abraham.When that commandment was given, opportunities to participate in the honor or worship of idols abounded, and the religions of Canaanite tribes neighboring the Israelites often centered around a carefully constructed and maintained cult idol.However, according to the Book of Deuteronomy the Israelites were strictly warned to neither adopt nor adapt any of the religious practices of the peoples around them.
According to the psalmist and the prophet Isaiah, those who worship inanimate idols will be like them, that is, unseeing, unfeeling, unable to hear the truth that God would communicate to them.Paul the Apostle identifies the worship of created things (rather than the Creator) as the cause of the disintegration of sexual and social morality in his letter to the Book of Romans.
Paul tells the Athenians that though their city is full of idols, the true God is represented by none of them and requires them to turn away from idols. A psalm attributed to David describes the help someone may expect from pure devotion to Yahweh:
Who may ascend the hill of Yahweh? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from Yahweh and vindication from God his Savior.
–Psalm 24:3-4
God said not to worship idols, as did many in ancient Egypt, and He rebuked them. God's Spirit simply will not dwell in an empty, man-made vessel. He is the living God. No idol could create us, nor could a thousand different gods and goddesses, without the power of God in them. Clapping of hands in ancient temples, was only to exalt God as King. It was used in recognition of him as the Sovereign Lord, the Ruler of the Universe, and the Savior of the world. “You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Idol” (Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8) There are at least 100 Bible scriptures telling man not to worship idols. Idols are gods of our own creation, gods that we feel will give us what we want. In ancient times, idolatry often took the form of worshiping physical objects.
Too bad man cannot be as attentive and wise as nature, in recognizing his own Creator. God revealed Himself to us. He did not leave us to guess what He is like; He has shown Himself to us. He did this supremely by coming down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. In Him alone “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
When we worship and follow Christ, we enter a covenant. We do the same when we enter into a marriage covenant, in that we promise to be exclusively faithful to our wife/husband and not enter into relationship with anyone else. As such, God told Israel, his people, not to worship any other god or idol.
Will we trust mere, finite man with his limited knowledge to lead us to salvation and heaven, or the infinite wisdom of God? Man is not smarter nor wiser than Almighty God. The Bible says there is no substitution for God and there is no representation compared to Him. We can see how the Israelites would not trust him to deliver them, and started making their own god and Idols out of jewelry and whatever they could find. God rebuked them and cut their blessings short. Worshiping Idols is against God's very first commandment. He has told us not to worship them, as they cannot help us. He said they are false gods. Do not follow them. He warned, they will not lead to heaven and eternal life in heaven. He told us that he is the Creator of the universe. Only He deserves the honor of being worshipped.
God never gave man the wisdom nor permission to set the standard for salvation. He explicitly told us, salvation cannot be earned by good works/deeds. That we are saved by grace alone (UNEARNED favor from God) through faith, not by works, lest any man should boast he did the saving, and not the power of God. Salvation is a gift from God, for the asking. You can't earn a gift.
According to the psalmist and the prophet Isaiah, those who worship inanimate idols will be like them, that is, unseeing, unfeeling, unable to hear the truth that God would communicate to them.Paul the Apostle identifies the worship of created things (rather than the Creator) as the cause of the disintegration of sexual and social morality in his letter to the Book of Romans.
Paul tells the Athenians that though their city is full of idols, the true God is represented by none of them and requires them to turn away from idols. A psalm attributed to David describes the help someone may expect from pure devotion to Yahweh:
Who may ascend the hill of Yahweh? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from Yahweh and vindication from God his Savior.
–Psalm 24:3-4
God said not to worship idols, as did many in ancient Egypt, and He rebuked them. God's Spirit simply will not dwell in an empty, man-made vessel. He is the living God. No idol could create us, nor could a thousand different gods and goddesses, without the power of God in them. Clapping of hands in ancient temples, was only to exalt God as King. It was used in recognition of him as the Sovereign Lord, the Ruler of the Universe, and the Savior of the world. “You Shall Not Make for Yourself an Idol” (Exodus 20:4; Deuteronomy 5:8) There are at least 100 Bible scriptures telling man not to worship idols. Idols are gods of our own creation, gods that we feel will give us what we want. In ancient times, idolatry often took the form of worshiping physical objects.
Too bad man cannot be as attentive and wise as nature, in recognizing his own Creator. God revealed Himself to us. He did not leave us to guess what He is like; He has shown Himself to us. He did this supremely by coming down to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. In Him alone “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3).
When we worship and follow Christ, we enter a covenant. We do the same when we enter into a marriage covenant, in that we promise to be exclusively faithful to our wife/husband and not enter into relationship with anyone else. As such, God told Israel, his people, not to worship any other god or idol.
Will we trust mere, finite man with his limited knowledge to lead us to salvation and heaven, or the infinite wisdom of God? Man is not smarter nor wiser than Almighty God. The Bible says there is no substitution for God and there is no representation compared to Him. We can see how the Israelites would not trust him to deliver them, and started making their own god and Idols out of jewelry and whatever they could find. God rebuked them and cut their blessings short. Worshiping Idols is against God's very first commandment. He has told us not to worship them, as they cannot help us. He said they are false gods. Do not follow them. He warned, they will not lead to heaven and eternal life in heaven. He told us that he is the Creator of the universe. Only He deserves the honor of being worshipped.
God never gave man the wisdom nor permission to set the standard for salvation. He explicitly told us, salvation cannot be earned by good works/deeds. That we are saved by grace alone (UNEARNED favor from God) through faith, not by works, lest any man should boast he did the saving, and not the power of God. Salvation is a gift from God, for the asking. You can't earn a gift.
"The wisdom of the Bible is a Tree of Life." Proverbs 3:18
