Exodus 20:4-6 Worship No Idols

Biblical Church Worship: A Study of the Ten Commandments 
Exodus 20:3-17

Exodus 20:4-6 Worship No Idols[1]
Readings: Nahum 1:2; Romans 1:18-32; Colossians 1:13-23
Responsive Reading: Psalm 145:3, 8, 9, 14, 17, 18, 20; Psalm 115:2-11   

Little children, guard yourselves from idols. 
I John 5:21 NASB
I. Worship No Idol (Image) or Likeness (Form, Manifestation) (v4).
  A. Make with intent to worship (v5)
    1. No prohibition against making of images generally[2]
    2. Not a censure of art, but of idolatry and false worship[3],[4]
      1a. Idolatry and insatiable desire are Biblically linked (Eph. 5:5; Col. 3:5).
      2a. Idolatry is a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).
    3. God’s word paints pictures (images):
      1a. “The kingdom of heaven man be compared to a man…” (Mt. 13:24)
      2a. “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed…” (Mt. 13:31)
      3a. “…a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet,” (Rev. 1:10)
      4a. “…like white wool,” “like snow;”, “like a flame of fire.” (Rev. 1:14)
II. Why?
  A. God is jealous (v5).
    1. God is jealous of His own honor and glory[5].
      1a. God will not allow His honor and glory being given to another (Is. 40:18).
  B. God visits (rewards) iniquity on the third and fourth generations:
    1. Each person is responsible for their own sin (Dt. 24:16; Ez. 18:19, 20).
    2. Children can pick up parents’ sinful ways[6].
  C. God is merciful to those who love Him (v6) (Jn. 14:15).
III. Implication: Worship is Living within the Following Truths:
  A. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the only true God.
  B. Only God is to be honored, thanked, adored, coveted, served, and recognized as the true God[7].
IV. Challenge:
  A. What or who do you honor, thank, adore, covet, serve, and recognize as God?


[1] January 19, 2025 Hall Church and Renewal Bible Fellowship
[2] (Keil, 1891)
[3] (MacArthur, 2005)
[4] (Jamieson, 1871)
[5] (Gill, 1816)
[6] (MacArthur, 2005)
[7] It is alright to have an unsatisfied desire (covetousness) for God.