THE LAW: COMMANDMENT

Introduction

Catholic 10 Commandments

I am the Lord your God: you shall not have strange gods before me.

2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

3. Remember to keep holy the Lord's Day.

4. Honor your father and your mother.

5. You shall not kill.

6. You shall not commit adultery.

7. You shall not steal.

8. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

9. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife.

10. You shall not covet your neighbor's goods.

Read and Observe

What is the prohibition?

Don’t make any a carved image

Don’t make any likeness

Don’t bow down to or serve any image or likeness.

What kind of images are prohibited?

Anything in heaven above, or earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth

What reasons are given for this commandment?

The Lord is a jealous God.

God punishes the iniquity of those who hate him.

The consequences of this sin spreads to our children to the third and fourth generation.

He shows steadfast love to who love Him and keeps His commandments.

Analyze and Interpret

Examine the passage in light of the immediate context and the rest of Scripture.

Ask questions to better understand the commandment.

Does this prohibit artwork and crafts? (see 2 Chronicles 3-4, Numbers 21:4-9)

If it doesn’t prohibit all artwork, what exactly does it prohibit? (see 2 Kings 18:1-4, Exodus 32:4-6)

Is it okay to make images of God if it is not intended for worship purposes? (see Leviticus 19:4, Leviticus 26:1)

What exactly is wrong with making images of God? (John 4:24)

Are images an accurate representation of God? Do they display His glory or diminish it? (Deuteronomy 4:15-20, Isaiah 42:8)

What about images of Christ?

Are there any additional verses or passages that could shed light on this commandment? (see Psalm 115:1-9, Isaiah 40:18-20, Isaiah 44:6-20, Isaiah 46, Jeremiah 10:1-16)

Ask more questions to see if their are exceptions to this rule.

Since we are no longer under the old covenant, is this commandment still binding? (see Matthew 5:17, Hebrews 8:13)

Does the New Testament condemn the making of images and likenesses of God? (see Acts 17:16-31, Romans 1:18-32, 1 John 5:21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Since Christ came in human form, it it okay to make images of Him?

Are images an accurate representation of Christ? Do they display His glory or diminish it? (John 17:24, 1 Corinthians 2:9)

Ask questions to see the implications of obedience and disobedience.

How seriously does God view this commandment?

What are some common ways of breaking this commandment?

What are consequences of breaking it?

What are blessings of obeying it?

Application

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

What do I need to do in response to these truths?

Are there changes I need to make or anything I need to repent of?

How should this affect my worship and pursuit of the Lord?

What are some practical things I can do to obey and honor the Lord in light of this command?

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