Following on the heels of my post yesterday dealing with how the ancient world used animals as symbols for the various pagan gods they worshipped, I want to remind you of something.
When the Lord ordained the 2nd commandment, it wasn’t because He was worried that folks would actually think the carved images they created were Him.
No, His concern was that He didn’t want any created thing under the sun being used to define or represent any of His divine attributes or characteristics.
So when Christians or Catholics say “we really don’t worship these symbols or images we have created“, I really think they’re full of it.
And I’m saying the same thing to you.
You cannot use the excuse that it’s okay to use religious icons or symbols because you don’t really worship them or think they are literally God.
Understand that the Israelites of ancient times didn’t think the symbols and images they created were HASHEM either but God still called them idolaters.
I think I’ve made my point, so let’s move on.
In yesterday’s post I also touched on the Golden Calf incident.
When Moses came down the mountain after receiving the covenant, to his horror, he arrived to find the people dancing and frolicking around a Golden Calf.
In his righteous anger, Moses immediately responded by smashing the stone tablets he had brought down from the mountain.
There’s something really important you have to understand about this action.
Once Moses smashed those tablets, according to the customs of the ancient Middle East in those days, the covenant had just been rendered null and void.
Let me say that again for good measure.
The covenant of the Law that the Lord had just moments earlier given to Moses was now CANCELLED!
Once that happened, Moses repeated something God told him that is really profound and I want you to catch this.
And the Lord said to me, “I have seen this people, and they are a stiff-necked people indeed! Let me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under heaven. And I will make you into a nation stronger and more numerous than they.”
Here’s the point I want you to catch.
As a result of the Covenant being terminated, God is saying there really is no longer any good reason for Israel to exist.
Are you catching the significance of this?
Israel was chosen to be God’s earthly agents so they could proclaim knowledge of the one true God to the nations, but if there no longer was any covenant, there’s no way that mission could be carried out.
In other words, there is a direct connection between being a proper witness for God and the Mosaic covenant.
You can’t have one without the other.
As a result of their rebellion, God informs Moses He is going to destroy Israel and then from Moses himself form a brand new covenant people.
We’ll continue with this discussion tomorrow.
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