The 2nd Commandment, Ex 20:4-6
 
 1. Most consider the 2nd commandment as an extension of the
 1st.
  a. Perhaps not as important as the other nine.
  b. There are more references to this one in the rest of
     the Bible than any other.

 2.  What's the difference between the 1st and 2nd commands?
  a.  The 1st forbids worship of any but one true God.
    (1) Hebrews violated when worshipping Baal, Molech, etc.
    (2) We violate when we are covetous, sensual, proud.
  b.  The 2nd warns against even worshipping the one true 
      God under some false form, or with distorted view of
      His nature.
    (1) Israel wanted some god they could see, Ex 32:1
    (2) Aaron made gold calf, then said.. Ex 32:4-5.
    (3) Aaron wasn't trying to make some new god, but to
        represent God in a tangible way (they could no
        longer see Moses!)
    (4) the real thrust of the 2nd commandment is against
        false mental images, of which stone and wood images
        are a consequence, not a cause.

 3.  The 2nd command in context
 a.  When people are ignorant of God, they seem driven to
     try to represent Him by an image of some sort. Rom 
     1:22-23.
 b.  We must have a god!  (what does he look like?)
    (1) sun, moon, stars, mountain -- a totem or carved
        idol, great spirit, must have something
           Act 17:22-29
    (2) In spite of our natural curiosity, we are often 
        unenlightened in our quest for Him.
    (3) Thus idolatry, superstition, false mental images.
 c.  We must have a god we can SEE!
    (1) ark of the covenant, I Sam 4:3-8
    (2) brass snake, 2 King 18:4
        a cross, John 3:14-15
    (3) Note!  Art, jewelry, etc are not sinful---- 
    irrational devotions of superstitious behavior are
    wrong.
 d.  3 reasons why image-representation was forbidden:
    (1) No likeness could be adequate--thus false and
        misleading.
    (2) God can't be localized -- limited to one place.
    (3) God wanted their trust in Him, not some magical
        icon.  Rom 1:23
    (4) Trust the word, not a form, Deut 4:12

 4.  The 2nd command and us
  a.  We should have a clearer view of God than Jews.
  b.  To see God, take a look at Jesus
    John 1:14, 14:7-9, Mt 5:8
  c.  Don't focus attention on crucifixes, statues, charms
      to draw you to God, that's what Aaron did --no worse
      for us if do same.   Isa 53:2
      The Bible is not to be an object of devotion (display
      it on table like idol).
  d.  Put away all false mental images of God.
     (1) thinking His is "void of passion and slack toward
         sin" (God hates sin).
     (2) or "a tyrant and anxious to condemn" (God is love
         and grace)
     (3) or "an absolute landlord collecting rent on Sunday"
         (24 hour/day)
     (4) or "responsible for all misfortunes and tragedies".
 
 5. Keep a clear vision of God.
 
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