Question 96-97

 

Question 96: What does the second commandment require of us?

Answer: We are not to make any images of God in any way, nor to worship him in any way other than as he has commanded us in his Word.

The second commandment is slightly different on the first and second stone tablets.

Exodus 20:4-6 “You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth… ”

Deuteronomy 5:8-10 “You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the waters under the earth… ”

The first stone tablet forbade making for themselves images in the sky, on the earth, in the waters, or above. The second stone tablet forbade making images not only in the sky, but also on the earth, under the earth, in the waters, or in the waters. The first tablet forbade making images in the mind, while the second forbade making images in the mind, like visible things. Images were extended to include visible things both inside and outside the mind. This demonstrates the severity of idolatry.

 

Question 97: Then, should we not make any images?

Answer: God cannot and should not be depicted in any visible form. Creatures may be depicted, but God forbids the making or keeping of such images, lest they become objects of worship or be used as a means of serving Him.

 The image in the mind signifies an invisible image. Each human being creates an image of God that fits their own conception. Agrarian societies and those whose livestock is their livelihood envision God as a source of abundance. This further develops into the symbolic representation of the ox as God, a prime example being the creation of the golden calf by the Israelites. The second stone tablet expresses concern about humans' amplification of images based on tangible plants and animals.

The imagery can also be interpreted symbolically. The one in the sky represents spiritual mysticism, the one on the ground represents money, and the one in the sea symbolizes worldly power. The point is not to worship these things. A typical example is the belief in worldly blessings.

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