The Strand Study Bible

GENESIS GENESIS is simple. Although the law was written on both men’s hearts (Rom 2:12-15), Jacob did not sear his conscience (I Tim 4:2) as Laban did (Gen 31:30). Engraved images, such as the brazen serpent (Num 21:8) or the two cherubims over the Mercy Seat (Exo 25:17-22), were not forbidden, except as objects of worship. To create an image as an object of worship was to bring your god under your control. God is supposed to control us; we are not supposed to control God. To make an idol or image is to try to bring God under our control. Joy Davidman, wife of C.S. Lewis, in Smoke on the Mountain notes: The Mysterious Power, vast, formless, uncontrollable and unpredictable, which once filled the universe, is now for the idolater conveniently reduced to something he can imprison in a few ounces of wood or plaster. Do not think the idolater too foolish to know that his god is man-made and breakable. He does know it; that is precisely the sort of god he wants – a god he can control. 1 God is supposed to control us; we are not supposed to control God. To make an idol and/or image is an attempt on our part to try to bring God under our control. NOTE – In order to master this second law ( Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image ) we are going to have to quit trying to control God. Note some of the “created idols” that we often use to try and control God with: * Our circumstances (Gen 28:18-22) Many tell God, “God, if you heal me, I’ll serve you.” (Yeah, right…) Our circumstances should never dictate our walk with God. * Our families (Lk 9:59-62) Many tell God, “God, I’ll serve you and your Word after I serve my family.” Our families should never come before our God, unless of course, our family is our god. Question: Who gets the “last word” in your life? You? Your family? Or God? Whoever gets the “last word” becomes your god/God. * Our fears (Mt 16:21-24) Many tell God, “God, I can’t serve you and do your will because I’m feeling a bit apprehensive” (nervous; fearful). Our fears should never dictate our faith in God. Fear is nothing more than a “created idol” that we use to try and control God with. * Our religious affiliations (Jn 12:42-43 & 9:19-22) Many tell God, “God, I can only serve you through my religion” (Acts 10:9-16). Our religion should never dictate our reliance on God. God is not a respecter of men… or their movements. * Our selfishness (Gen 13:1-12/II Pet 2:6-8 and Colo 3:5) Jacob told God, “If you protect me and feed me and clothe me and guarantee me peace, then you can be my God, and I’ll start tithing.” Our selfishness should never dictate our service for God. Circumstances, families, fears, religious affiliations, and selfishness are all idols that we use to try to bring God under our control. NOTE - In order to master this second law ( Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image ), we are going to have to quit controlling God. Note some of the “created idols” that we often use to try and control God: * Our circumstances (Gen 28:18-22) Jacob told God, “If you protect me and feed me and clothe me and guarantee me peace, then you can be my God, and I’ll start tithing.” 124 Seeing the Law of Moses (Exo 20:7) was not written yet, how did Abraham know not to swear by God’s name? The answer is simple. The law was written on his heart (Rom 2:12-15), and reinforced through the spoken Word (Gen 22:15-16). According to Hebrews 6:13-18, the reason God can swear by Himself is because God’s character is based on His unchanging nature, which elevates His Word above all His name (Psa 138:2). God is not a man that He should lie (Num 23:19), nor can He repent of some evil thought and change His mind like we humans can (I Sam 15:29 and Exo 32:10-14 ). God’s character speaks for itself ( Colo 2:9 ). The immutability of God’s character means that He never loses his own integrity or lets others down (He is not indifferent to human activity or need - Jere 26:13). Unlike man, God can change His mind without changing who He is. The doctrine of the Sabbath is but one example of God changing His mind without changing Who He is. NOTE – In order to master this third law ( Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain ) we are going to have to stop “swearing” by God’s name (making false promises to God – Eccl 5:1-6), “ swearing ” using God’s name (i.e., making frivolous use of God’s name – Lev 22:32), and “ swearing ” blaspheming God’s name (Lev 24:10-16). 4. Keep the Sabbath - Gen 2:2 (Exo 20:8-11) This word ( he rested ) in Genesis 2:2 is the Hebrew word for “ sabbath .” The Sabbath was set apart (sanctified - Gen 2:3) by God at Creation, 2500 years before it became a “legal” observance for Israel. A common error in the Sabbath-keeping debate is the concept that the Sabbath was the day of worship. It was not. The Sabbath command had nothing to do with the day of worship. According to God, every day was to be the day of worship (Jn 4:21-24 and Acts 2:46-47). The reason God set aside one day a week for men to rest was so men would look forward to the future and rest in the fact that the accomplishments of God were to be permanent. There are three accomplishments that God achieved that are connected with the Sabbath: (1) His creation (Exo * Our families (Lk 9:59-62) * Our fears (Mt 16:21-24) * Our religious affiliations (Jn 12:42-43 & 9:19-22) * Our selfishness (Gen 13:1-12/II Pet 2:6-8 and Colo 3:5) 3. Do not take God’s name in vain - Gen 22:15-16 ( Exo 20:7 )