Worshiping God in Spirit and Truth*
Understanding the Second Commandment: A Call to Worship God in Spirit and Truth
The Second Commandment is a profound reminder of how we are to worship God. While the First Commandment tells us to worship the one true God only, the Second Commandment instructs us on how to do so rightly. Let’s explore its meaning, its implications, and how it shapes our lives.
What’s the Difference Between
the First and Second Commandments?
At first glance, the First and
Second Commandments might seem similar, but they address distinct aspects of
our relationship with God. The First Commandment (“You shall have no other gods
before me”) focuses on whom we worship, while the Second Commandment
(“You shall not make for yourself a carved image…”) addresses how we
worship. It prohibits us from using images or physical representations in our
worship, ensuring that our devotion remains pure and untainted by human
imagination.
Why Can’t We Make an Image of God?
The prohibition against making
images of God is deeply rooted in his nature. God is Spirit, as emphasized in Deuteronomy
4:15-19, where Moses reminds the Israelites that they saw no form when God
spoke to them at Mount Sinai. Any attempt to create an image of God diminishes
his infinite, spiritual nature and reduces him to something finite and created.
Such representations distort our understanding of God and mislead our worship.
Lessons from the Golden Calf
The Israelites’ worship of the
golden calf is a cautionary tale that highlights the dangers of violating the
Second Commandment. In Exodus 32, the people grew impatient waiting for
Moses, so Aaron fashioned a calf, declaring, “These are your gods, O Israel,
who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” Their sin was not merely creating
an image but attempting to worship the true God in a way he had not commanded.
This pattern of idolatry continued in Israel’s history. In 1 Kings 12:25ff, King Jeroboam created two golden calves, leading the northern kingdom into false worship. Over time, this disobedience spiraled into outright rejection of God, as seen in 1 Kings 16:29ff, where idolatry paved the way for the worship of Baal. This tragic progression underscores how sin against the Second Commandment often leads to breaking the First.
The Role of Parents in Teaching Worship
Parents bear a significant responsibility in guiding their children to worship God rightly. Setting a godly example and teaching children the importance of spiritual worship helps prevent them from falling into idolatry. By prioritizing God’s Word and modeling faithful obedience, parents lay a strong foundation for future generations.
The Reformation’s Stand on
Images
During the Middle Ages (A.D.
500–1500), the use of images in churches became widespread, often due to a lack
of educated clergy who could teach and preach effectively. Bible stories were
depicted on church walls to communicate with the largely illiterate population.
However, this reliance on images contributed to a distorted understanding of
God.
The Reformation of the 16th century brought a decisive shift. The Reformed Church rejected the use of images in worship, affirming that God’s people are to be taught not by “dumb images” but by “the living preaching of his Word.” As the Reformers emphasized, images cannot speak, but Scripture is God-breathed and equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Biblical Support for Word-Centered Worship
Both the Old and New Testaments
affirm that true worship is centered on God’s Word:
- Jeremiah 10:8 and Habakkuk 2:18-20
expose the futility of idols, calling them “worthless” and incapable of
guidance.
- Romans 10:14-15 highlights the necessity of
preaching for faith to take root in people’s hearts.
- 2 Peter 1:19 reminds us that God’s Word is
“a lamp shining in a dark place,” guiding us in truth.
Conclusion
The Second Commandment challenges
us to worship God in spirit and truth, free from the distortions of man-made
images. It calls us to treasure the living Word of God, faithfully taught and
preached. As we reflect on this commandment, let us strive to honour God by
worshiping him as he desires, trusting that his Word is sufficient to lead us
into a deeper relationship with him.
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*Based on the lesson given to the
Karen Zoom class on May 6th, 2021.
