Welcome, wishing you well! Let's continue with our examination of the Ten Commandments with number 2 of the first three that deal directly with worship. Then, we may consider thoughts from 2Peter 3.

Let’s consider Exodus 20:4-6:

“4 “You must not make for yourself a carved image ("idol", NLT) or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 You must not bow down to them nor be enticed to serve them, for I, Jehovah your God, am a God who requires exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing loyal love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.””

EGYPT'S IDOLATRY. We need to understand the background here. Israel has just escaped from the world of Egypt, where idols abounded. They worshipped many false gods, and no doubt had carved images of them for the purpose of worship. The Israelites faced such practices perhaps from the time they were very young in Egypt, and Jehovah understood this. The real issue was worship—they were not to be enticed to bow down or worship any such idol, or fear it’s influence in their life. They were to trust Jehovah, and worship Him exclusively—the true and living God responsible for blessing every aspect of their lives as they served Him properly.

A DIVIDING OF ONE'S HEART. Jesus said at Matthew 6:24““No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other...” All it takes is the worship of one idol or false god to cause a division in one’s heart away from loving Jehovah the true God exclusively. Our heart would become at least divided, and we would no longer love Jehovah as we should, as Jesus said the greatest commandment of the Law was that we “37...must love Jehovah your God with your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment.” (Matth 22:37,38). Thus we cannot, and must not try, to slave for two masters—rather we should love Jehovah the true God, our Creator and Life-giver, the One we owe “life and breath and all things”—and give Him our exclusive worship. Any form of idolatry, whether it be a literal idol, or any other thing that can be worshipped, such as a famous person, or even some hobby or activity we may devote our lives to (while ignoring the will of God), would affect our lives negatively, even dramatically. Psalm 115 describes such idolatry, explaining that such idols may have eyes, but they cannot see, and ears, but cannot hear, and so on. Such idols claiming worship are at least spiritually dead, not able to see, hear, or speak divine truth. Psalm 115:8,9 then says “ 8 The people who make them will become just like them, As will all those who trust in them. 9 O Israel, trust in Jehovah —He is their help and their shield.” While God is reasonable, and does not fault us for taking precautions and seeking help from others, still may we daily look to Jehovah and no other as our supreme help and protection. Psalm 127:1 says “1 Unless Jehovah builds the house, It is in vain that its builders work hard on it. Unless Jehovah guards the city, It is in vain that the guard stays awake.”

IN MARRIAGE. Also, marriage is one area where idolatry can “rear [or, “raise”] it’s ugly head.” To keep the relationship close between husband and wife, Jehovah needs to be in the marriage. As Solomon wrote, a “threefold cord cannot quickly be torn apart.” (Eccle 4:12). As we’ve seen, any form of idolatry can cause spiritual blindness, and prevent either partner from recognizing problems and solutions within the marriage. This matter is to be taken seriously, as is giving Jehovah the honor and place in our hearts that He deserves. Most marriages that have ended, probably have involved some sort of idolatry. For further insight, see the article “Fortify Your Marriage by Rejecting Idolatry” elsewhere on this website.

GOD'S FAVOR. What a blessing is in store for giving Jehovah the exclusive devotion he deserves! Rather than receiving “punishment for the error of fathers upon sons” when we fail to love Him as we should, we would instead receive “loyal love to the thousandth generation of those who love [Jehovah] and keep [His] commandments!” May we thus draw close to Jehovah, as He in turn draws close to us, and continue learning how to serve Him properly. (James 4:8). What He asks of us is really for our own benefit, and the benefit of all peace-loving persons, to cause us true unity, love, and happiness eternally!

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2Peter 3:1-4 shows that there would be those minimizing Bible warnings and prophecies, as if nothing has changed since "creation's beginning." But make no mistake--the evidence is clear that we're living in the "last days" of the present system, or arrangement, of things, with its associated corruption and lawlessness. God's Kingdom is soon to bring significant changes among right-hearted mankind, eventually ushering in blessings of good health and happiness worldwide. May we do all we can to uphold the truth, helping as many as possible to exercise faith in God's promises and benefit by a close relationship with Him. May we not be caught off guard by critics, realizing God foresees their ridicule: Peter's words read this way: "Beloved ones, this is now the second letter I am writing you in which, as in my first one, I am stirring up your clear thinking faculties by way of a reminder, 2 that you should remember the sayings previously spoken by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles. 3 First of all know this, that in the last days ridiculers will come with their ridicule, proceeding according to their own desires 4 and saying: “Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as they were from creation’s beginning.” Peter goes on to remind Christians that such ones "deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water." Therefore, just as God judged an evil, violent world in Noah's day, so He stands ready to remove evil ones on a coming day of judgment. (Prove 2:20-22). May such ones repent of any such thoughts and activity, being remorseful over their disappointing and harmful conduct, that God may bless their sincere repentance, and help them find true happiness in life, even with a loyal marriage partner to share life with in the coming new world. May as many as possible appreciate God's mercy and love for his human creation, and respond accordingly, seeking to please our loving God by careful obedience and adherence to His wise and loving standards.

2Peter 3:5-7 These verses remind us that ignorers of God are failing to learn from history—that such ones living in the days of Noah met their end, as a warning to us living in the “last days” of this system of things. While God is seeking the repentance of all people, aligning themselves for eternal happiness, He will still deny this privilege to unappreciative, unrepentant evil ones. This warning should move ones to reevaluate their relationship with God. These words read: “5 For they deliberately ignore this fact, that long ago there were heavens and an earth standing firmly out of water and in the midst of water by the word of God; 6 and that by those means the world of that time suffered destruction when it was flooded with water. 7 But by the same word the heavens and the earth that now exist are reserved for fire and are being kept until the day of judgment and of destruction of the ungodly people.” Jehovah is merciful, reasonable, and a God of perfect justice. (Psalm 86:5; Deute 32:4) May we grow to appreciate Him more, by looking into His trustworthy and beneficial word the Bible. (Psalm 1:1-3).