Daily Word: Idolatry Part 1

Shemoth (Exodus) 20:3-4 says: You have no other mighty ones against My face. You do not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of that which is in the heavens above, or which is in the earth beneath, or which is in the waters under the earth.... (The Scriptures) Notice how God portrays idols; they are set against His face. They are in direct opposition to Him. God views idols as a direct affront to who He is. Have you ever had someone, "Get in your face?" Did you like it? Perhaps you felt spatially violated, or took offense at someone speaking to you in that manner. That is how God feels when we set an idol against Him.

Dr. Arthur Moen explained: "He will not admit any competitor. He wants your full endorsement, trust and love. He guards His relationship with you as a jealous husband, anxious to keep any threat to the union far from the door." Now we can see one of the reasons for this commandment. God wants to keep you close to Himself and He doesn't want anything to separate us. Yet, He knows our propensity to fall away. His commandment is designed to reduce the chance of that occurring. Now, what are some idols? Some are obvious and some are not so obvious. Some obvious ones include: money, career, relationships with others, church affiliations or denominations, and selfishness. If we can remove these, we can turn our attention to some carved images and "sacred cows" that are in most every church.

Today, examine your relationship with God. Have you set anything against Him? Is there some area of your life that you seek to keep from Him? He is very zealous for you. He desires to keep you close and He has given this commandment as an aid to accomplish a long term relationship with you. If you find something that you have set against His face, remove it quickly before He does.