10 C's: #2 no idols, not even American Idols?

Here are the verses for number 2 from the ESV
20:4-6
You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

this anti-idol statement can be positively stated as, "only the Creator deserves worship." the ancillary statements point out that God can affect your descendants quality of life, unlike the piece of wood or rock you are praying to. what's with the "jealous" aspect of God? is he petty? the NET bible has a helpful note.
"The word “jealous” is the same word often translated “zeal” or “zealous.” The word describes a passionate intensity to protect or defend something that is jeopardized. The word can also have the sense of “envy,” but in that case the object is out of bounds. God’s zeal or jealousy is to protect his people or his institutions or his honor. Yahweh’s honor is bound up with the life of his people."
i found this helpful. the Jewish people had alot of problems with this command until the return from captivity. somehow, living in the land of idol worshiping oppressors got it out of their collective system.

this morning i was hurtling through the Psalms and hit #135 with these verses
135:15-18
The idols of the nations are of silver and gold,
made by human hands.
They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but cannot see.
They have ears, but cannot hear;
indeed, there is no breath in their mouths.
Those who make them are just like them,
as are all who trust in them. (HCSB)

it really seems pretty obvious. and the prediction is pretty harsh. worshiping idols will make you mute, blind, deaf, and dead. that doesn't sound like a good situation.

to be continued...

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