Commandment number two on the most unwanted commandment list is found in Exodus 20:4-6 where we are commanded to never make hand-made items to use in the worship of the Biblical God. Nothing man can create will substitute for manifesting the holiness of God which such symbols are designed to do, Jesus of Nazareth being our prime example. Notice that He never used a symbol or image to represent His heavenly Father. The prohibition of such items includes such popular man-made (graven) products as crosses, fish, statues and pictures of people, gods, angels, animals and heavenly bodies. The Law also covers such things as flags, roof steeples, colored windows, etc. Read the series on this subject using the key word “Symbols.” Also read Simon of Samaria: The Legacy. Key word–Simon which reveals that most of those symbols came from the world of heathenism.

The language of verse four is plain enough for anyone to understand. However, verse five takes some “fine print” study in order to determine exactly what God is saying to those who want to know the Truth He is sharing with us. The Lord’s “fine print” separates the contenders from the pretenders, the serious Truth seekers from all others. As contenders for salvation, let us have a close look at this very important verse along with those that relate directly to it. The point of having an image that represents God or Jesus is that the image (symbol) becomes an object of adoration–SO SAYS THE LORD. In verse five He says that man will spiritually bow down and serve what he (man) has created. God proves this point when He says that HE IS A JEALOUS GOD. God is not jealous of things or people in that HE MADE THEM AND IS THEREFORE GREATER THAN THEY ARE. When man makes an image that represents or symbolizes Him, God views this as a “god beside/before Me” in that it takes one’s eyes off of God Himself which His people must manifest. By displaying a graven image, well-meaning beliers take viewing eyes off of the God that resides within him and directs them toward the object the believer is displaying. This takes place even though neither the viewer nor the displayer realize it. Our lives, not what we wear around our necks, etc. is how we tell the world Whom we worship and serve and Whose Spirit resides within us and directs our “walk.” This is what Jesus meant when He said: “When people see Me, they see the Father.” We are commanded to live in such a way that Christ’s Words apply to us.

Understand this, GOD’S VIEW IS THE ONLY VIEW THAT COUNTS. Man’s view is irrelevant. We must study His Word (written will) in order to see the world as He sees it. Think about this when watching television, etc. We must ask ourselves: HOW DOES GOD VIEW WHAT WE ARE VIEWING OR HEARING? Our personal opinion is meaningless. For anyone who is still not convinced, notice the last part of verse five where we are told how serious God is about the symbols, images, etc. man makes and uses in his worship of Him. Referring to verse four concerning man-made images and symbols, God says that to make such items and use them in worship of Him means that THOSE WHO DO SO ARE PROCLAIMING THAT THEY HATE HIM. Again: WE MUST SEE THE WORLD AS HE SEES IT AND THINK AS HE THINKS. TRUE BELIEVERS CAN DO THIS BECAUSE THE “HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST” (1 COR. 2:16/ PHIL. 2:5/ HEB. 8:10). A warning relative to having the mind of Christ is found in First Peter 4:1 where the apostle tells us that Satan will use all of his power to keep us from having the mind of Christ and the walk that accompanies it. We “suffer in the flesh” in constant warfare with the devil whose intent is for us not to be like our Savior. Jesus said in Revelation 3:21 that only those who resist and overcome him (Satan) as He (Christ) did will sit with Him on His throne in the Kingdom of God. Let us be about reserving a seat for ourselves by defeating Satan and his fallen angels. We have such power as Jesus tells us Luke 10:19: “Behold, I GIVE YOU POWER OVER ALL THE POWER OF THE ENEMY.” He is no respecter of persons; what He gives to one who obeys Him He will give to all who obey Him.

Now notice verse six where He contrasts those who REVEAL THAT THEY HATE HIM BY DISOBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS to those who REVEAL THEIR LOVE FOR HIM BY OBEYING HIS COMMANDMENTS. TWO OF THOSE COMMANDMENTS ARE FOUND IN VERSES THREE AND FOUR. Read John 8:31; 14:15,23; 15:10/ 1 Jn. 2:3-5 to read what New Testament writers wrote about keeping God’s commandments, which include Exodus 20:3-6. Note in First John 2:3-5 what the apostle says about those who claim to love the Lord but refuse to obey His Words. In Matthew 15:9 and Luke 6:46 Jesus asks why people call Him their Lord but reject His Words. In John 15:13,14 Jesus tells His disciples that they are His friends for who He would die “IF,” and only “IF” THEY DID “WHATSOEVER I COMMAND YOU.” In other words, if they did not obey Him His death would have no effect on their lives. Nothing has changed. Note that He was speaking to Judas who undoubtedly “knew” that because he was preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, casting out demons, etc. that he was right with the Lord.

In verse seven we find a command that is broken repeatedly by both the chuched and the nonchurched. Such Words as “God,” “Lord” and “Almighty” are commonly used in ways that the Lord calls “in vain.” Having been guilty of such sins in the past, I know how easily those words come to mind in certain situations which do not themselves involve sin. However, God calls the use of such words in worldly situations SINS which separate us from Him (Isa. 59:2). WE MUST LEARN TO VIEW THIS LIFE THROUGH GOD’S EYES. ONLY BY STUDYING THE HOLY SCRIPTURES UNDER THE POWER AND LEADERSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THIS POSSIBLE. Adding prayer and fasting to our prayer life increases one’s ability to ward off Satan’s “fiery darts” when they inevitably arrive. They usually do so when we are least ready for them.

Now we have arrived at passage number five in our list of Christendom’s least liked and most broken commandments. I have written much on the Lord’s Sabbath so I will simply ask the readers to read what I have recorded under the key word–Sabbath. For first time readers, download this website at https://proveallthings of god.net Read the main page mission statement. At the bottom of the page is a section titled NOTICE. There you are given instructions as to how to download a series. In this case, the word to search for is Sabbath. L.J.