file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db940912.txt
-------------------------------------------------------


OUR DAILY BREAD                        Monday, September 12, 1994
---------------
READ: Exodus 32:1-14


                          "REFUSE IDOLATRY"

                  "You shall not make for yourself
                           a carved image."

                             Exodus 20:4


Years ago, Life magazine carried on its cover an artist's 
rendering of God as an old man with long white hair and stern 
facial features. Charles Hodge said, "Idolatry consists not only 
in the worship of false gods, but also in the worship of the true 
God by images." 

Any visual portrayal of deity can be dangerous. No created thing 
can convey God's true and complete character. That's why God 
commanded Israel not to make any image or likeness of anything in 
heaven or on earth as an object of worship. Such images dishonor 
God because they distort His glory, and this can lead to sin.

Theologian J. I. Packer suggests that the people of Israel 
intended to worship Jehovah when Aaron made the golden calf. He 
says they were using the bull-image as a reminder of God's great 
might in delivering them from Egypt. But strength is just one 
aspect of His character. The calf showed nothing of His holiness. 
Thus the people turned the "feast to the Lord" into a wild, 
sensual party. (Ex. 32:5-8). 

To worship an image or picture of any Person of the Trinity is 
idolatry and veils God's glory. It leads us astray. God is a 
spirit, and those who worship him must worship Him in spirit and 
truth" (Jn. 4:24).

- Dennis J. DeHaan

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore 
Thee, all veiling their sight; All praise we would render -- O 
help us to see 'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee! 

- Smith

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
-------------------
God made us in His image, but we cannot make Him in ours. 

THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Ezekiel 4-7

------------------------------------------------------------------ 
Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of Radio Bible 
Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA. Written permission must 
be obtained from RBC for any further posting or distribution. RBC 
provides a variety of Bible resources, which are free of charge. 
RBC is not funded by any group or denomination, and support comes 
voluntarily from its Members and Friends. Write for more 
information, or call 1-800-598-7221.
------------------------------------------------------------------