December 10th, 2009
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
5 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;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
I’m sure that you recognize the second commandment when you see it in Exodus 20. However, I don’t think many people know the full text of this commandment. Here, we are told that a graven image consists of any likeness made to appear like anything on, above, or beneath the earth and sea.
Additionally, it is also suggested that not only will you be punished, but your descendants will be punished up to four generations. That means that you could be punished by God for nothing more than the fact that your grandfather doodled a picture of an animal. If you have ever drawn a drawing, chiseled a sculpture, or folded a paper airplane, you have broken this commandment. Apparently, those who do so are also considered to be misotheists, theists who hate God. The offending artist and his or her descendants are punished for it.
It must be noted that there is a specific prescription not to bow down to these graven images. However, it is not part of the requirement for transgression. Note the language used: “Do not make a graven image or likeness” and “Do not bow down to them.” In other words, neither shall you make nor show reverence for graven images, because both actions are sinful.