Graven Images

“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.”

Exodus 20:4

A short time after the Israelites departed from Egypt, God gave them this command. They were instructed to avoid making any carved images or any likenesses of creation. The language used in the command was reminiscent of creation; words like: heaven and earth, the water under the earth, and images echo the language of Genesis 1.

God forbade His people to create these images for several reasons. Chiefly, to prevent idol worship; people desired to create such images in order to worship them as gods. In this prohibition, God was staking an absolute claim as Creator. This is partly why we see the creation language from Genesis in this command.

Another reason was that God did not allow His people to act as if they were creators. If they carved images and set them up, they were mimicking God’s creative power, which God displayed in creating the heavens and the earth and everything in them. God’s people are to imitate God’s character but are forbidden to imitate God’s creative power.

Thirdly, after the people created the images, they would worship what they had created–the works of their own hands. This is effectively self-worship. Worship is to be offered solely to God; God’s people are forbidden to worship themselves.

Finally, by carving images and worshipping them, the people would be creating their own gods, which is completely backwards! God created humanity; humanity does not have power to create God. To presume to create a god is to adopt an arrogance completely out of harmony with the worship of God.

These reasons point to God’s desire that His people adopt the appropriate posture as human beings created by God. This is especially true of those of us who have been born again through faith in Christ. This is all part of God’s order in creation.

Prayer: Father, you are the Creator of all, open my eyes and let me see the wonders of your creation. Help me to keep my attention on You and guide me away from worshipping anything or anyone else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.