I appreciate the responses but I think some of you may have missed the point.
The point is - the commandment forbids the making of any likeness or 'image' of living things. It also forbids the use of them for objects of worship.
Thus, there are TWO PARTS to the commandment.
A child's doll or toy animal, or a person's little statue of an animal used as a decoration, would therefore qualify as a forbidden object, right?
Someone brought up the emerods and mice... was that commanded by God or did the pagans come up with that on their own? (Just wondering, I can't recall the entire story right off hand).
I do remember the brazen serpent, which I always thought was weird... I understand it being a type of Christ, lifted up, to whom if we look we will be healed... but then if we take the typology further does it not indicate worship of Jesus is idolatry?
Besides which, I can't imagine nobody in Moses' day didn't go 'Say what? Make a brass serpent, put it on a pole, and anyone bit by a snake will go and look on the serpent and be healed? Moses! Not that long ago you had a bunch of us killed for making a gold cow, now you want us to make a brass snake? Wha...?'
What in the world is your definition of "many"? I don't think there are "many" christians who believe toys are graven images and a sin.
This all started today when I discovered Martha Stewart supplies Passover kits for kids, including little frogs and toy cows and other stuff to represent the 10 plagues. So I thought 'how in the world do Jews do that? I thought they would be adverse to it?' I found out most Jews have no problem with such things, many Jews however avoid toys of 'unclean' animals (like frogs, pigs, bugs, etc). I then found website after website by mostly 'deliverance', Sacred Name or 'Messianic' type christians saying all the toy dolls, toy soldiers, statues, busts, or any 'likeness' of any living thing was forbidden by the 2nd commandment.
Just google 'graven images toys' and you'll see.
I was kind of surprised. and now I am wondering what the biblical truth about the subject is.
Someone brought up the emerods and mice... was that commanded by God or did the pagans come up with that on their own? (Just wondering, I can't recall the entire story right off hand).
The pagans came up with it, but it was acceptable to the Lord as a trespass offering.
This all started today when I discovered Martha Stewart supplies Passover kits for kids, including little frogs and toy cows and other stuff to represent the 10 plagues. So I thought 'how in the world do Jews do that? I thought they would be adverse to it?' I found out most Jews have no problem with such things, many Jews however avoid toys of 'unclean' animals (like frogs, pigs, bugs, etc). I then found website after website by mostly 'deliverance', Sacred Name or 'Messianic' type christians saying all the toy dolls, toy soldiers, statues, busts, or any 'likeness' of any living thing was forbidden by the 2nd commandment.
Just google 'graven images toys' and you'll see.
I was kind of surprised. and now I am wondering what the biblical truth about the subject is.
You are probably just hoping you don't have to get rid of your collectible GI Joe doll.
__________________ "I think some people love spiritual bondage just the way some people love physical bondage. It makes them feel secure. In the end though it is not healthy for the one who is lost over it or the one who is lives under the oppression even if by their own choice"
Titus2woman on AFF
"We did not wear uniforms. The lady workers dressed in the current fashions of the day, ...silks...satins...jewels or whatever they happened to possess. They were very smartly turned out, so that they made an impressive appearance on the streets where a large part of our work was conducted in the early years.
"It was not until long after, when former Holiness preachers had become part of us, that strict plainness of dress began to be taught.
"Although Entire Sanctification was preached at the beginning of the Movement, it was from a Wesleyan viewpoint, and had in it very little of the later Holiness Movement characteristics. Nothing was ever said about apparel, for everyone was so taken up with the Lord that mode of dress seemingly never occurred to any of us."
Quote from Ethel Goss (widow of 1st UPC Gen Supt. Howard Goss) book "The Winds of God"
I think these days PSPs, Nintendo DS, and cell phone play the role of "idols" moreso than action figures and stuffed animals. Many children are underdeveloped in the skill of imaginative play.
I have more irrelevent comments. Like: THose people are idiots.
But that is unkind and not acting in Charity...which is commanded by the NT.
I have issues with people who dont use context to understand the meaning of scripture:
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, H6459 neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
__________________ If I do something stupid blame the Lortab!
I have more irrelevent comments. Like: THose people are idiots.
But that is unkind and not acting in Charity...which is commanded by the NT.
I have issues with people who dont use context to understand the meaning of scripture:
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, H6459 neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the LORD your God.
Ferd, that is my point. They are saying there are two elements to the commandment, one is not to make a graven image, the other is not to bow down and venerate it.
Exodus 20:4 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;
See? Two parts. First, don't make any likeness, or 'graven image'. Second, don't bow down to them or serve them (do them homage).
It's like this... is it okay to have actual idols in your house, actual definite undeniable idols, as long as you don't bow down to them or do religious service to them?
Is it okay to have porn in your house as long as you don't 'look at it'?
I am not saying I agree with them, I am trying to eliminate any doubt as to whether the commandment ONLY prohibits the USE of idols in worship, or whether it does actually extend to 'making any likeness', whether one uses it religiously or not.
But if they are two separate commandments, what is the point? If you obey the "first one" then there's no need for the second one. It only makes sense as a cohesive thought. The second portion indicates the intent that is sinful and should be avoided.
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