The second commandment, as part of the Decalogue or the Ten Commandments, is an essential component of the moral and legal foundation in Judeo-Christian tradition. It can be found in two primary locations within the Bible: Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. Both of these books are part of the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Old Testament, traditionally attributed to Moses.
In Exodus 20, the Ten Commandments are given directly by God to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. This event is a pivotal moment in the narrative of the Israelites, as they have been liberated from slavery in Egypt and are being formed into a covenant community under God's guidance. The second commandment is articulated in Exodus 20:4-6:
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." (NIV)
This commandment prohibits the creation and worship of idols or images. It underscores a central tenet of monotheism: the worship of God alone, without the mediation of physical representations. The prohibition is not merely against the creation of images but extends to the worship and veneration of them, which would detract from the exclusive worship due to God.
The reiteration of the Ten Commandments, including the second commandment, is found in Deuteronomy 5:8-10. Here, Moses is recounting the law to the new generation of Israelites on the brink of entering the Promised Land. This repetition serves to remind the people of their covenant obligations and the foundational laws that govern their relationship with God and with each other. The text in Deuteronomy is very similar to that in Exodus:
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." (NIV)
The second commandment's emphasis on God's jealousy is not to be understood in human terms of petty envy, but rather as an expression of God's passionate commitment to His people. It reflects the seriousness with which God views idolatry, as it represents a fundamental breach of the covenant relationship. Idolatry not only misrepresents God's nature but also leads to a distortion of human values and priorities.
Throughout the Old Testament, the theme of idolatry recurs, and the prophets frequently call the Israelites back to the worship of the one true God. The prohibition of idolatry is not only about avoiding the worship of false gods but also about maintaining the integrity and purity of the worship of Yahweh. This commandment is foundational in setting Israel apart as a people dedicated to God, distinct from the surrounding nations whose religious practices often involved idol worship.
From a theological perspective, the second commandment calls believers to a deep and authentic relationship with God, one that is not mediated through physical images. It invites worship that is grounded in spirit and truth, as later emphasized by Jesus in John 4:24: "God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth." This call to genuine worship remains relevant for Christians today, encouraging a focus on the spiritual and relational aspects of faith rather than external rituals or objects.
Historically, the interpretation and application of the second commandment have varied. In the early church, debates arose regarding the use of images in worship, leading to significant theological discussions and, at times, conflict. The iconoclastic controversies of the Byzantine Empire, for example, centered on whether religious images were permissible or constituted a violation of the commandment. These debates underscore the ongoing challenge of interpreting and applying the commandment in different cultural and historical contexts.
In contemporary Christian practice, the second commandment continues to inform discussions about the use of religious symbols and art. While many Christian traditions, including Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy, make use of icons and images in worship, they do so with the understanding that these are not objects of worship themselves but are intended to direct the believer's attention to the divine. Other traditions, particularly those stemming from the Reformation, have historically emphasized a more iconoclastic approach, avoiding images in worship to maintain a focus on the word of God and the inward, spiritual nature of faith.
Ultimately, the second commandment challenges believers to examine the objects of their devotion and to ensure that their worship is directed solely towards God. It encourages a faith that is dynamic and relational, centered on the living God rather than on static representations. As such, it remains a vital and challenging aspect of Christian discipleship, calling believers to fidelity and purity in their worship and relationship with God.
