Exodus 20:3-6: Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven 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: Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.”
The definition of idolatry, according to Webster, is “the worship of idols or excessive devotion to, or reverence for some person or thing.” An idol is anything that replaces the one, true God to any degree. The most prevalent form of idolatry in Bible times was the worship of images that were thought to embody the various pagan deities which guarded against evil while promoting good. The culture arrayed themselves in tattoos, body piercings, jewelry and charms which, at their root, were incorporated into one’s life believing that they offered spiritual prowess. Today, it is not uncommon for someone to carry a “lucky charm” such as a rabbit’s foot or 4-leaf clover or athletes to wear the same clothing. Does the Bible speak to this kind of regard and, if so, what is the instruction? To determine the answer, we turn to:
- Historical Context: Moses was the author of the Book of Exodus (Exodus 17:14; 24:4-7; 34:27), written between 1440 and 1400 B.C. The word “exodus” means departure – both a physical and spiritual departure. In God’s timing, the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt marked the end of a period of oppression for Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 15:13), and the beginning of the fulfillment of the covenant promise to Abraham that his descendants would not only live in the Promised Land, but would also multiply and become a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3, 7). The purpose of the book is a connecting link between the origin of the people in God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:2) and the beginning of the theocratic kingdom under Moses. The people of promise were miraculously redeemed from servitude and placed under the Mosaic Covenant so that they might become a “holy nation” (Exodus 19:6), an avenue of blessing to the Gentiles (Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 42:6). The Book of Exodus, then, stresses redemption and consecration, literally “to set apart”.
- Grammatical Usage: V. 3 “before Me” in the Hebrew carries two thoughts: 1) “in opposition to Me” and 2) “in My presence” which grammatically implies that His uniqueness is overlooked (cf. Vv. 22-23); V. 4 “graven image” is in the Hebrew “pesel” literally meaning, “carved word or stone,” from “pasal” meaning “to carve.” It should be noted that from a grammatical perspective that 34:17 specifically cites “cast idols” made from molten metal were forbidden; V. 5 “bow down” is “sahah” in the Hebrew and means, “worship or revere”; V. 6 “showing” in the Hebrew is “hesed” meaning “loyal love.”
- Literal Application: “You shall have no other gods in opposition to Me or (even) in My presence (God is omniscient). You shall not make for yourself any carved wood or stone in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not worship or revere them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing My loyalty by My love to a thousand [ generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments.”
- Contextual Interpretation: The message is crystal clear – the worship of God is to be spiritual, not material. Israel was forbidden from having regard, in a spiritual sense, for anything in the created realm – existing or subsequently fashioned – which in any way competed the one true God’s existence and position. Since God is spiritual no material representation can possibly resemble Him. To attribute any spiritual quality to the creation was forbidden as it detracts if not ultimately denies the very essence and nature of the one true God. His uniqueness (20:3) requires unique devotion. Absence of such dedication is sin and has a spiritual as well as practical effect upon future generations. Disloyalty to God is punished while loyalty to God is rewarded, loyalty defined as those who show their love by their obedience (1 Jn 5:3).
- Scriptural Comparison: From the beginning, God’s covenant with Israel was based on exclusive worship of Him alone (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 5:7). The Israelites were not even to mention the names of false gods (Exodus 23:13) because to do so would acknowledge their existence and give credence to their power and influence over the people. Israel was forbidden to intermarry with other cultures because they embraced false gods – God knew this would lead to compromise. The book of Hosea uses the imagery of adultery to describe Israel’s continual chasing after other gods, like an unfaithful wife chases after other men. The history of Israel is a sad chronicle of idol worship, punishment, restoration and forgiveness, followed by a return to idolatry. The books of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, and 1 & 2 Chronicles reveal this destructive pattern. The Old Testament prophets endlessly prophesied dire consequences for Israel if they continued in their idolatry. Mostly, they were ignored until it was too late and God’s wrath against idol-worship was poured out on the nation. But ours is a merciful God, and He never failed to forgive and restore them when they repented and sought His forgiveness.
- In reality, idols are impotent blocks of stone, wood, or metal power exists only in the minds of the worshipers. The idol of the god Dagon was twice knocked to the floor by God to show the Philistines just who was God and who wasn’t (1 Samuel 1:1-5). The “contest” between God and His prophet Elijah and the 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel is a dramatic example of the power of the true God and the impotence of false gods (1 Kings 18:19-40). The testimony of Scripture is that God alone is worthy of worship. Idol worship robs God of the glory that is rightfully His, and that is something He will not tolerate (Isaiah 42:8).
Even today there are religions that instruct devotees to bow before statues and icons, a practice forbidden by God’s Word, as well as market charms for one’s person. The significance God places upon it is reflected in the fact that the first of the Ten Commandments refers to idolatry.
- Conclusion: Idolatry extends beyond the worship of idols and images and false gods although the possession of and regard for “lucky charms” is idolatry. Our modern idols are many and varied. Even for those who do not bow physically before a statue or have a charm in their possession have sinned as idolatry is a matter of the heart—pride, self-centeredness, greed, gluttony, a love for possessions, belief in another source of good is ultimately rebellion against God. Is it any wonder that God hates it?