Preacher: Rev Gavino Fioretti
Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 15 – 31
Question 49
Which is the second commandment?
The second commandment is, Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them; for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me: and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Question 50
What is required in the second commandment?
The second commandment requireth the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word.
Question 51
What is forbidden in the second commandment?
The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word.
Question 52
What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.
Introduction:
It forbids the representation of God:
It forbids worshipping other gods:
It forbids worshipping images: An image of God is a false God. Worshipping an image is therefore worshipping another God.
It forbids will worship: worshipping according to our making
1. The centrality of worship:
The order of the commandments:
The warning attached to the commandments:
The history of Israel: In our reading of Deuteronomy Moses warns Israel to avoid idolatry. It also predicts that they will do that in their exile. Aaron lost two sons for failing in God’s worship.
The prophetic message: The prophets complained about many things like social injustice and abuses. But the main issue is idolatry. In Isaiah God says that he has no pleasure with the worship of his people and in Malachi he asks for someone to close the doors of the temple.
2. The nature of worship:
Spiritual: Jesus told the samaritan woman that God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship him in spirit and truth. Paul describes is as reasonable service or spiritual worship.
Regulated: Jesus rebukes the Samaritan woman saying: You worship what you do not know. God had informed the people about himself and his will. In the second commandment God revealed how he want to be worshipped in spirit and truth.
3. The reasons for worship:
God’ sovereignty: It is not a good dad giving advice to his rebellious kids.
God’s covenant:
God’s jealousy:
God’s mercy:
Kiltearn Free Church of Scotland 