Worshiping Other gods is Forbidden

Barclay quotes William Temple, the renowned archbishop of Canterbury, as defining worship as quickening the conscience by the holiness of God, feeding the mind with the truth of God, purging the imagination by the beauty of God, opening the heart to the love of God, and dev … More

Worship

Moses wanted to make sure that the people did not forget all they had seen God do, so He urged parents to teach their children about God’s great miracles. While the mountain burned with fire the Lord spoke out of the midst of the fire (vv. 11-12). The nations around Israel worshiped many gods, but Israel was to worship only the one true God. Our worship may be to money, comfort, convenience, or status, rather than allowing God to bring his words to our attention. He commanded them to perform the ten commandments and to perform them in the land they were soon to possess (vv. 13-15). The people heard God speak the Word, but they didn’t see any form of God (v. 15). The conclusion seems obvious; God forbids His people to worship visible representations of God or of anything God has made, whether humans, animals, birds, fish or the sun, moon, and stars.

The religious objects and exercises discussed here are totally alien in today’s Western world; but the basic distinction made between such practices and the worship of God is still relevant and important (vv. 16-19). It is often easier to worship an idol, bow to a crucifix, or send a check to the local church, than it is to listen to the voice of the invisible God. To worship other gods is to worship nothing and become nothing (Ps. 115:8). In his message, Moses gives several arguments to defend this warning against idolatry. To worship the creation instead of the Creator is the essence of idolatry (Rom. 1:22-25). God had taken them out of the iron furnace of Egypt and placed them in His inheritance (v. 20). God made man in His image, but idolaters make gods in their own image and thereby cheapen themselves and insult God. 

Application

It is so easy for me to worship people or things in this life. My desire is to feed my mind with the truth of God’s Word to the point it will be purged from the things of this world and devoted totally to the fulfillment of God’s purpose in my life.

Deuteronomy 4:11-20 (English Standard Version)


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