Do Not Bow Down to Idols
In days of old, pagan people would make idols and bow before them. The idols were a representation of their god. They realized that the idol itself was not their god but a representation. Their belief in bowing before the idol was that they were paying homage and the bowing and presenting their petitions before this image would bring forth their god who would answer their petitions.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exo 20:4-5 ESV)
The Israelites, God’s chosen people, were prone to imitating the pagan nations around them. That became clearly evident when they created the golden calf. (Exodus 32:4). God did not want any representations or images. Scripture really is quite clear. We are not given exceptions in that if our motivation is other than to worship, we may do so. Yet, people have chosen to do so. The Catholic church comes to mind first and they do lead the way in images and bowing before these images. Yet, images are not limited to the Catholics. While typically a Protestant would not ever be found bowing before an image, pictures and depictions of Christ, angels and other images can be found within Protestantism.
I’ve often wondered why this scripture has been disobeyed and is continually disobeyed. Make no mistake, making an image that is a representation of God or His creation is in disobedience to God’s commandment. Catholics bow to the images, Protestants make images though to a much lesser degree and certainly Protestants do not bow to them. Yet each group presents their rationale or justification as to why there is no disobedience involved.
There is nothing new under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 1:9)
Tishrei,
This is a very good warning and I would like to discuss oodles on it, but have to get to that baby quilt…..
I fully agree and am appalled at the behavior of people from all Christian denominations — not just regarding man-made idols — but, how they also tend to uphold certain church leaders in an idolatrous manner or even Christian symbols….. Paul says somewhere that even our greed is a form of idolatry….. So greed is idolatrous — but not “need”….. It all depends on our heart-to-heart relationship with our Lord and Savior….. Somewhere there is a verse that talks about how devious the hearts of the people are and we are warned to watch over our hearts at all times.
The early Christians often made the symbol of the fish to identify their faith during times of severe persecution….. Other symbols were also used to identify Christian concepts….. Back then, no one felt an urge to worship that symbol, but instead, upon seeing the symbol, praised God in their hearts….. So, when the heart is honestly right with God, symbols can rightly be used.
But, over time many people’s hearts are led astray in awful ways…. And sometimes it is the church leaders who lead the people astray….. Hence, the misuse of images and depictions of Christ or any other symbol….. I’ve seen church leaders from a number of denominations make too much of a symbol….. They are not glorifying God in their heart….. They are directing the people’s attention to the symbol and “worshiping” it….. So, example plays a big part in what people learn to mimick….. Sometimes, what makes me disgusted is how a church leader will act very pious in front of an audience as he upholds a symbol….. He’s actually directing the people’s attention to his “pious act” instead of to God….. And then, the people think they need to emulate him because he looked so pious.
When our hearts are honestly directed to worshiping our Lord and Savior, we don’t think of the symbol or depiction — the symbol directs our attention to God and only He is worshiped and praised….. And yet, I can use this example of a Christian heart and realize that there are people who do not direct their attention to God…..
I have a cross on the wall of my work room and by my sewing machine, but I do not worship it or honor it in any way….. I also have pictures of Jesus that only serve to direct my heart and thoughts to God….. Guess I could go on about my rationale or justification of having these pictures — but need to get to that quilt — All I know is that I can honestly say those pictures are not honored or glorified or upheld in any way, manner, shape, or form.
You are right though, in showing how it is disgusting to uphold these idols and yet, pretend that you are not honoring the image….. God knows our hearts and minds very well….. There is nothing we will ever be able to hide from Him, so it is no use trying to hide where our real devotion is.
Margaret