- Jan 14, 2006
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It is amazing when one studies history how many things have been lost to 'reason'. How men have been able to use their OWN reasoning to ignore some of the most simple instructions offered by God through His prophets. How THIS world is SO alluring that it has the power to convince men that they can 'do it their way' and that there is NO REASON to follow as instructed.
Since the beginning of the 'creation of man', God has offered instruction to help man avoid the pitfalls that exist in 'this world'. In order to keep him from harm, God has offered instruction to protect them.
Yet men, thinking themselves to be wise have pretty much managed to REASON their way AROUND almost every bit of instruction offered. Like the proverbial CHILD that THINKS that it can DO those things the parents forbid without suffering consequences. Constantly questioning every speck of advice and instruction. Believing that guidance offered through love is but a means of 'holding them back'. INTRUDING upon their will by saying NO, don't do that, or beware.
When God revealed Himself to the Hebrews as their God, their KING, He offered them instructions, (as to children), of things that would be to their advantage to follow: The Law. And contained within this law were instruction designed to bring men closer to God and closer to EACH OTHER. A means of DOING that which is righteous verses allowing them to DO what they FELT like doing that could lead to their destruction.
One of these offerings of instruction, (laws), was that men would NOT make 'graven images' and worship them.
So, in order to follow such a commandment or instruction, it would first be demanded that one UNDERSTAND what a 'graven image' IS. He made it simple. God EXPLAINED it in such SIMPLE detail that it would not be MISUNDERSTOOD. Let's see what He offered:
Exodus 20:4
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Notice that there is PERIOD at the end of this sentence. ANYTHING that is in the AIR, upon the earth, or in the water. That pretty much summed it up at the time. For men's imaginings had not proceeded to the point of created images of 'other places' YET. All they KNEW was 'the sky', the 'earth' and the 'water'. It would take TIME and ignoring this commandment to begin to IMAGINE places OUTSIDE of 'the world'.
So let's start with a discussion of WHAT a graven image IS and then move on to WHY men were discouraged from creating them.
Blessings,
MEC
Since the beginning of the 'creation of man', God has offered instruction to help man avoid the pitfalls that exist in 'this world'. In order to keep him from harm, God has offered instruction to protect them.
Yet men, thinking themselves to be wise have pretty much managed to REASON their way AROUND almost every bit of instruction offered. Like the proverbial CHILD that THINKS that it can DO those things the parents forbid without suffering consequences. Constantly questioning every speck of advice and instruction. Believing that guidance offered through love is but a means of 'holding them back'. INTRUDING upon their will by saying NO, don't do that, or beware.
When God revealed Himself to the Hebrews as their God, their KING, He offered them instructions, (as to children), of things that would be to their advantage to follow: The Law. And contained within this law were instruction designed to bring men closer to God and closer to EACH OTHER. A means of DOING that which is righteous verses allowing them to DO what they FELT like doing that could lead to their destruction.
One of these offerings of instruction, (laws), was that men would NOT make 'graven images' and worship them.
So, in order to follow such a commandment or instruction, it would first be demanded that one UNDERSTAND what a 'graven image' IS. He made it simple. God EXPLAINED it in such SIMPLE detail that it would not be MISUNDERSTOOD. Let's see what He offered:
Exodus 20:4
Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Notice that there is PERIOD at the end of this sentence. ANYTHING that is in the AIR, upon the earth, or in the water. That pretty much summed it up at the time. For men's imaginings had not proceeded to the point of created images of 'other places' YET. All they KNEW was 'the sky', the 'earth' and the 'water'. It would take TIME and ignoring this commandment to begin to IMAGINE places OUTSIDE of 'the world'.
So let's start with a discussion of WHAT a graven image IS and then move on to WHY men were discouraged from creating them.
Blessings,
MEC