Daily Devotional for Tuesday, November 8

No Graven Image

“Do not eat any of the cookies,” she said, “not even a nibble.” “One little cookie will not hurt anything,” Joe thought to himself, but he knew his mom was serious. He remembered the last time they had a conversation like this. It had not ended well when he had eaten the corner brownie out of the pan. It turned out those brownies were supposed to go to the Smith’s house. Someone had been less than amused. 

God began His writing of the Ten Commandments on two tables of stone that He had hewn out of the mountain. After Moses broke the first tables of stone, he had to hewn out the second tables of stone and take up the mountain for God to write the Ten Commandments a second time. Right from the start, the commandment specifically prohibited any production of images and no worship of images. The implication was that by making or worshiping an image, God would take that as a personal act of hatred toward Himself. Beyond that, punishment for the infraction would continue onto grandchildren and great grandchildren. None. Not one image. 

God is indescribable, infinite and beyond the comprehension of human beings. To make an image of something created as if it where God is a horrible misrepresentation of His character. God is offended by it enough to mention it first. He will extend mercy to those who love Him, but our Creator is a jealous God. He is described as a consuming fire not to be trifled with even once.

REFLECTION: Do you just casually use images of created things in your home and place of worship? Have any of those become idols to you or someone you love?

David Thompson