Exo. 20:4--Prohibition against making any graven images: "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth."
Num. 21:8--Moses told to make a brass snake image: And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. 9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.
Exo.25--contains detailed instructions on building an ark in which to keep various sacred items. The instructions include graven images of cherubim, which are likenesses of things living "in heaven above."
1 Ki.10:19--Solomon's throne: There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its rear, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.
2007-08-14 05:11:07 · 12 answers · asked by Antique Silver Buttons 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
1 Ki. 7:25--the molten sea in front of Solomon's temple: It stood on twelve oxen...and the sea was set on top of them, and all their rear parts turned inward.
Jer. 52:20 The bronze from the two pillars, the Sea and the twelve bronze bulls under it, and the movable stands, which King Solomon had made for the temple of the LORD, was more than could be weighed.
God didn't seem to have a problem with people making images of snakes, bulls, and other things, even after telling them not to do so!
2007-08-14 05:22:45 · update #1
How can you say they weren't idols to be worshiped? The Israelites hauled that ark EVERYWHERE, and got really upset if their golden fetish object was stolen or mistreated. God killed people for looking into it or touching it! That ark represented Yahweh the way a golden calf represented Amon-Ra, and was treated with the same respect and devotion. Besides, God said not to make ANY graven images of ANYTHING in heaven or on Earth. Wouldn't that include Catholic statuary and icons, or crosses and painted Jesii in Protestant churches?
2007-08-14 05:27:20 · update #2
same reason he says thou shalt not kill then goes on to order mass murder and genocide. YAHWEH suffers from multiple personality disorder.
2007-08-14 05:13:56 · answer #1 · answered by gay crocoduck 1 · 6⤊ 4⤋
Read the prohibition carefully...it says 'you shall not make FOR YOURSELF...' If God commands such an image be made, it is then not 'for yourself' but rather for God....and thus permitted.
Further, an idol is something that is intended to be worshipped in place of or as an intermediary to God. The serpent on the pole, the cherubim and the lions on Solomon's throne were never intended to be worshipped nor were they ever worshipped.
2007-08-14 12:20:47 · answer #2 · answered by mzJakes 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Idols are for worshiping. People didn't worship the ark or the snake. They worshiped the Lord God who's power was upon and dwelt over those things.
You cannot construe the word to make it fit your agenda. At some point you're going to have to decide you either believe, or dont, and then leave it be.
2007-08-14 12:19:38 · answer #3 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What silliness
The commandment is against making representations of things for the purpose of worship. The serpent, ark, nor anything else was intended, designed, or built to be an object of worship or the representation OF something to be worshipped.
2007-08-14 12:15:46 · answer #4 · answered by imaji 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The brass serpent on the pole was a representation of Jesus Christ...the Messiah to come.
2007-08-14 12:20:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those things aren't idols. They absolutely weren't to be worshiped. When later generations started to worship the bronze serpent, it was destroyed.
2007-08-14 12:16:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The instructions are to construct idols,but not of God.The prohibiton is against worshipping graven images of GOD.
2007-08-14 12:16:06 · answer #7 · answered by Barbara D 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
He was talking about images you worship.He had them to make the snake for healing but not to worship.The ark was the ark of the covenant.
2007-08-14 12:17:49 · answer #8 · answered by Bobby Cow 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
YOUR.... PSEUDO.... QUESTION.... is a Simple and Ineffective .... way... to try and Slam the Bible!
WHO... DO YOU THINK... you are Fooling?
YOU.... MISSED..... How to Study the Bible... on my 360 / Blog!
Verses TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT.... are a Pretext.... FOR... ERROR!
The Serpent.... was a Simple WORD PICTURE.... Of HOW Sin.... would be Dealt with... ON THE CROSS OF CHRIST JESUS!
SILLY..... RABBIT..... TRICKS.... ARE.... FOR... KIDS!
Thanks, RR
2007-08-14 12:19:06 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Those were objects that linked them to God when God did not speak to them audibly. God NEVER said to bow down and worship them. They were physical representations, not gods.
2007-08-14 12:16:05 · answer #10 · answered by jimmiedean 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Congratulations. I think you are finding some interesting points. I would encourage you keep up the good work with your study.
2007-08-14 12:21:56 · answer #11 · answered by Thomas Paine 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋