You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
God spoke these words Himself with dreadful pomp, not merely whispered through conscience or providence, but with the authority of Jehovah, the self-existent One. He bound Israel threefold: by His nature as eternal Lord, by covenant as their God, and by His power to reward obedience and punish disobedience.
AI summary
Commenting on Exodus 20:1-11
Bowing, kneeling, lifting hands or eyes to an image, all of it is worship forbidden here, whether by sacrifice, prayer, or trust. God is jealous of His honour as a man enraged at adultery; He will not share His glory with carved stone, and treats such rebellion as high treason against Him.
AI summary
Every gesture and form of idolatrous service is banned by this command. God will have His revenge on those who scorn His honour and give it to dead things instead.
AI summary