9/19/2023 0 Comments No graven images![]() Cherubim are heavenly things, almonds and pomegranates are earthly things. Just a few chapters later, the Lord will tell Moses to “make two cherubim of gold“ (25:18), and a lampstand with cups “shaped like almond blossoms” (25:33), and pomegranates of blue and scarlet material (28:33). If it were, it would stand in contradiction to other commandments. The commandment doesn’t say “Don’t make images of God.” It says “Don’t make graven images of things in heaven, on the earth, or the waters under the earth.” That covers everything, because there aren’t any things anywhere except in heaven, earth, or under the earth.īut the commandment doesn't prohibit making images. If the Second Word is a prohibition of making images, it prohibits all images. That last at least takes the specifics of the commandment seriously. Some claim that is prohibits all representational art. It’s been taken as a prohibition of placing art, especially representational art, in a place of worship. It has gotten tangled up in debates about whether or not we can paint or draw pictures, or make sculptures, of Jesus, or of God the Father. ![]() The Second Word is sometimes misunderstood. The Second Word had to do with how we worship: We are to approach God as He commands us to approach Him. And that goes way beyond images.Much discussion is needed…but the Second, like the First command, stands!“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image…” (Ex.20:3).John StaigerIf you have been blessed by this message, please feel free to: Like, Comment or Share it with your friends.The First of the Ten Words speaks to the question of whom we worship: We are to have no other gods before the face of Yahweh. ![]() There is a very important difference between worshipers bowing down, praying to, and kissing the feet of statues, and kids using Sunday School material with pictures and puzzles of Jesus.Christians are to consider anything that obscures their one-to-one worship with God a potential idol. I am not attributing bad motives where there are none. I am well aware that the subject can become ridiculous. ![]() Crosses, stain glass windows, statues, paintings, buildings…etc. ![]() It is idolatry!Don’t tell me that the Christian world (beyond Catholicism), some even in the Lord’s church, do not place religious significance in religious manmade symbols. They are not considered ‘idols.’ I didn’t believe that then, and I don’t believe that now.If bowing down to graven images of man or beast is prohibited by God, it should not be done. And reassuring for kids who believed in God and motherhood.The Catholic Feast Days around the world include parades with statues of Christ, Joseph, Mary and a host of other people and things.The official word from the Catholic priests is that images are there only to remind the worshiper of whom they are worshiping. I had been especially taught the significance of ‘The Virgin Mary.’ I was told on more than one occasion that Mary would intercede on my behalf before God, because she is the ‘Mother of God.’ This was vital doctrine. One of the things I remember most about sitting in the Catholic Church was the statues. Until my early teens I attended Masses regularly and became an Altar Boy for a brief period. Catholicism was the religion of my birth. ![]()
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