No Other Gods

v. 1:

The ten commandments have been the source of much controversy in our county.

These ten commandments are the basis of our moral law. The fundamentals which the ten commandments teach are nearly universally agreed upon.

The majority of people would agree with these moral principles, yet they have become the source of great controversy.

Even though they are the basis of our law, people would have them banned from our courtrooms and schools.

The basic principles involved are not the issue, rather it is the source of the commandments.

We can agree that things such as murder and adultery are wrong, but we don’t dare say that it is God’s law.

Nonetheless, morality directly stems from the Lord, and He should get all of the honor for the standard that He created.

These are all directly from Him, just as this first verse states.

v. 2:

Before giving the commandments, He reminds them that He is their savior.

There is no better reason to follow someone than the fact that they are your savior.

The same is true for us.

As we take a closer look at these commandments, understand that Jesus Christ is our Savior and His standards have not changed.

Jesus Christ is our Savior and His standards have not changed.

Acts 4:12

Acts 4:12 NKJV

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Hebrews 13:8

Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

v. 3:

This first commandment, written by the finger of God Himself on Mount Sinai—twice (Exodus 31:18; 34:1)—contains an interesting choice of words.

“You shall have no”, in its original Hebrew form, is a very emphatic negative.

The word “other” is derived from another word meaning “behind” or “less.”

The word is also gives the sense of being less than or lesser.

The Lord’s choice of words translated “before me.” means “in the face of” or in the sense of “on top of.”

So, a direct translation of the command would be, “Never place a less powerful being in front of me.”

Moses gave us several instructions on how we are to observe the command.

We are not to worship (bow down to) any other god.

Exodus 34:14

Exodus 34:14 NKJV

(for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),

We are not to mention (call to memory) the name of other gods.

Exodus 23:13

Exodus 23:13 NKJV

“And in all that I have said to you, be circumspect and make no mention of the name of other gods, nor let it be heard from your mouth.

We are not to go after other gods.

Deuteronomy 6:14

Deuteronomy 6:14 NKJV

You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples who are all around you

We are not to forget the Lord, and in so doing serve other gods.

Deuteronomy 8:18-19

Deuteronomy 8:18–19 NKJV

“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. Then it shall be, if you by any means forget the Lord your God, and follow other gods, and serve them and worship them, I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish.

We must not allow our hearts to be deceived and worship other gods.

Deuteronomy 11:16

Deuteronomy 11:16 NKJV

Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them,

And we are not to turn aside from the words of God and by doing so serve other gods.

Deuteronomy 28:14

Deuteronomy 28:14 NKJV

So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

v. 4:

The second commandment goes hand in hand with the first.

There are several reasons why idolatry is forbidden. The most obvious it that our Creator is too great to attempt to visualize.

There is no thing or experience in human existence that can represent the immortal and invisible Creator.

There is nothing in human existence that can represent the immortal and invisible Creator.

Exodus 33:20

Exodus 33:20 NKJV

But He said, “You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.”

1 Timothy 6:16

1 Timothy 6:16 NKJV

who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

Thus, God sees any effort to “picture” Him (idolatry) as rebellion.

It does not matter how we may attempt to “picture” or “depict” God, are all totally incapable of expressing God’s person.

Idolatry will lead a person to ruin. In Romans we see the heart of an idolator.

Romans 1:18-32

Romans 1:18–32 NKJV

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.

They will not glorify God as God (v. 21), even though they know Him by the creation itself (v. 20).

They change God’s glory into an earthly creature (v. 23)

They consciously change God’s truth into a lie (v. 25).

Thus, by choice, idolators worship and serve the creature rather than the Creator (v. 25).

They abandon God for an unnatural lust, and an ungodliness that causes them to despise the very thought of God. (v. 28).

Salvation requires faith in God, and idolatry simply denies faith in Him by placing something else before Him, or trying to change Him into something He is not.

Idolatry, in any form or practice, strikes at the heart of salvation.

Hebrews 11:6

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

No wonder our Lord Jesus called this the “first and great commandment” and insisted that we must “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart”.

Jesus called this the “first and great commandment”.

Matthew 22:37-38

Matthew 22:37–38 NKJV

Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment.