The First Commandment and Knowledge of Good and Evil

[Mean Mountain Robot]

I was at a bible study a couple years ago and the guys there were christians, of course, and they were reading from Romans, which was not exciting at all... We got on the subject of Adam and the fall of man and one of the guys asked me about eating the fruit and I said when that happened mankind was punished and through that he gained things through those trials, I don't believe the story is historical, but it is important for us to understand God and his workings...
Anyway, these guys said I was wrong and that Adam should've obeyed God and he should not have eaten the
Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil... (the story says that when man ate that fruit he became like God to know good and evil)
So these same guys who said Adam really screwed up because it is SO EASY to follow that commandment. All he had to do was NOT EAT THAT FRUIT...
So I said, oh really? Do you have a cross hanging anywhere in your house or a picture or statue of Jesus?
They all told me that they do have those things.
I said let's look at
Exodus 20 And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

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.

Extremely easy to understand... Don't have objects for worship, for religion, God doesn't share his people...
And in Genesis, Eve says, "The serpent beguiled me, and I ate."
So, why are people violating the first commandment these days? Jesus died so that we could break the bonds of the first commandment and put pictures of Jesus everywhere and crosses and statues? For what? Seems fishy to me...

Deuteronomy 29:17
And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them

All over the Old Testament it is repeated that they worship wood and stone, those gods neither talk nor hear etc
There is not a reason in the world a person would need to have an idol in their home, a cross or a statue of jesus or picture of mary, and I asked them about this and many say something to the tune of, "God knows my heart, he knows that I love him and this is out of respect for him." If they had respect for God they would follow His commandments, wouldn't they? And it sounds to me like they have a case of knowledge of good and evil.
Without the Bible, we would not know what God expects of us. So he gave us the ten commandments and the law and the prophets so we would know what he expects of us, and people say, "oh, he doesn't really mean to not have an idol or a statue..." like they can read the mind of God. Yes, God hates idols. That's the FIRST COMMANDMENT.
Why do they have those idols?
For some reason this world is full of them, they're everywhere, and they were probably put there to see if you will follow God's law or no...
Exodus 16: 4 Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

They look at the world and see idols everywhere and they think they know good and evil and then the serpent beguiles them.

***Deuteronomy 4***

I John 5: 21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.

 

[David]

I agree with you on one important point. God absolutely condemns idolatry, and Christians should take that warning seriously. If someone bows before an image, prays to it, trusts in it, or gives it religious devotion that belongs to God, Scripture condemns that plainly.

But I think you are going beyond what Exodus 20 actually says when you make every cross or religious image an idol.

Notice the command itself:

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.” Exodus 20:4-5.

God Himself later commanded Israel to make two golden cherubim for the mercy seat in Exodus 25:18. He also commanded Moses to make the brass serpent in Numbers 21:8-9. So the Bible cannot mean that making any image whatsoever is inherently idolatry.

The brass serpent is especially helpful because eventually Israel did turn it into an idol. Second Kings 18:4 says Hezekiah destroyed it because “the children of Israel did burn incense to it.” The object God had once commanded became idolatrous when people began treating it as an object of religious devotion.

So I would distinguish between possessing an object and worshipping an object. A wooden cross hanging on a wall is not automatically an idol. Bowing before it, praying to it, trusting in it, or attributing spiritual power to it would be another matter entirely.

But there is something else in your post that I believe is much more serious. You said you do not believe the account of Adam is historical.

The New Testament does.

Romans 5:12 says, “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.”

Romans 5:19 says, “By one man's disobedience many were made sinners.”

And 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Paul's argument concerning Christ depends upon Adam actually existing and actually disobeying God. Scripture does not present Adam merely as a story designed to teach us something about God.

Adam was given a direct command not to eat from that tree, and he disobeyed it. That is exactly why Scripture calls what Adam did “disobedience.”

So yes, we should keep ourselves from idols. Absolutely. But we should also be careful not to call something an idol when Scripture does not, and we should not turn Adam and the fall into a nonhistorical story when the New Testament treats them as real events.

 

[bobinfaith]

Good morning all;

In our family we follow the teachings of Exodus 20:3-4, 3 “You shall have no other gods before me. 4 “You shall not make for yourself a 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; 5 you shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. - RSV

In our home we display the nativity every Christmas to commemorate the remembrance of Christ's birth. This does not suggest we create, bow down or worship graven images. We will not test God.

Deuteronomy 6:1-9, 6 “Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son's son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. - RSV

Years ago as a young boy when I was introduced to Genesis 1:1, In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. - RSV, At that moment in front of my parents I made a decision to believe this about God. As I got older I proclaimed if I believe Genesis 1:1 then I believe every Word of God as being true, not suggestive.

The story of Adam goes beyond myth, it is a true account of God's Word. His command to Adam is explicit.

Genesis 2:15-17, 15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. 16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” - RSV

So what do these passages have to do with the application in my life? The trials, challenges, and sins still exist, and they have crossed my path, resulting in consequences from God. He has forgiven me, disciplined me, corrected me, and taught me tough lessons, and I'm still standing because of Him.

God’s love for you and me has nothing to do with our behavior, meaning, we are not simply sinners, we are deeply loved sinners. Adam's story is a vital example in Genesis. God drove out Adam and Eve but He still loved them and they went on to bear fruit but with lessons learned.

The lessons include that we don't naively walk in obedience when we could be walking in error. Our sola scriptura greatly helps in this area as we continue a life long study and daily walk with Jesus.

God bless everyone.

Bob

 

[Mean Mountain Robot]

I agree with you on one important point. God absolutely condemns idolatry, and Christians should take that warning seriously. If someone bows before an image, prays to it, trusts in it, or gives it religious devotion that belongs to God, Scripture condemns that plainly.

But I think you are going beyond what Exodus 20 actually says when you make every cross or religious image an idol.

Notice the command itself:

“Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image... Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them.” Exodus 20:4-5.

God Himself later commanded Israel to make two golden cherubim for the mercy seat in Exodus 25:18. He also commanded Moses to make the brass serpent in Numbers 21:8-9. So the Bible cannot mean that making any image whatsoever is inherently idolatry.

The brass serpent is especially helpful because eventually Israel did turn it into an idol. Second Kings 18:4 says Hezekiah destroyed it because “the children of Israel did burn incense to it.” The object God had once commanded became idolatrous when people began treating it as an object of religious devotion.

So I would distinguish between possessing an object and worshipping an object. A wooden cross hanging on a wall is not automatically an idol. Bowing before it, praying to it, trusting in it, or attributing spiritual power to it would be another matter entirely.

But there is something else in your post that I believe is much more serious. You said you do not believe the account of Adam is historical.

The New Testament does.

Romans 5:12 says, “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin.”

Romans 5:19 says, “By one man's disobedience many were made sinners.”

And 1 Corinthians 15:22 says, “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Paul's argument concerning Christ depends upon Adam actually existing and actually disobeying God. Scripture does not present Adam merely as a story designed to teach us something about God.

Adam was given a direct command not to eat from that tree, and he disobeyed it. That is exactly why Scripture calls what Adam did “disobedience.”

So yes, we should keep ourselves from idols. Absolutely. But we should also be careful not to call something an idol when Scripture does not, and we should not turn Adam and the fall into a nonhistorical story when the New Testament treats them as real events.

I guess if you have a cross and it has a useful purpose, such as hanging a rebel from it, then I guess it's okay. But if you have a cross to represent God, such as Jesus, then that is certainly bowing down to it in your heart... Just like Jesus says if you desire to possess a woman in your heart you have committed adultery, same goes with idolatry.
I myself, to be safe, would not have anything close to an idol, just to make sure that when the angel of the Lord comes for my soul he doesn't get confused and think to himself that I have a cross on my wall to take the place in my life that should be occupied by God Himself.
Do you think Jesus died for our sins so that we can put statues of him everywhere and crosses?
Seems like an obvious trick to me, the irony is not lost on you?
God destroyed many nations for their idolatry, you know that, right?
II Kings 10:
18 And Jehu gathered all the people together, and said unto them, Ahab served Baal a little; but Jehu shall serve him much.

19 Now therefore call unto me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants, and all his priests; let none be wanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do to Baal; whosoever shall be wanting, he shall not live. But Jehu did it in subtilty, to the intent that he might destroy the worshippers of Baal.

20 And Jehu said, Proclaim a solemn assembly for Baal. And they proclaimed it.

21 And Jehu sent through all Israel: and all the worshippers of Baal came, so that there was not a man left that came not. And they came into the house of Baal; and the house of Baal was full from one end to another.

22 And he said unto him that was over the vestry, Bring forth vestments for all the worshippers of Baal. And he brought them forth vestments.

23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the Lord, but the worshippers of Baal only.

24 And when they went in to offer sacrifices and burnt offerings, Jehu appointed fourscore men without, and said, If any of the men whom I have brought into your hands escape, he that letteth him go, his life shall be for the life of him.

25 And it came to pass, as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, that Jehu said to the guard and to the captains, Go in, and slay them; let none come forth. And they smote them with the edge of the sword; and the guard and the captains cast them out, and went to the city of the house of Baal.

26 And they brought forth the images out of the house of Baal, and burned them.

27 And they brake down the image of Baal, and brake down the house of Baal, and made it a draught house unto this day.

28 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel.

Kinda seems like this could be happening now.
Like I said, I wouldn't want to risk breaking the first, most important commandment, just to hang a piece of wood on my wall.

Deuteronomy 29:17
And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them

People who have eaten the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil will not see the irony of it all, that they say Christ died because Adam sinned, but they themselves violate the first commandment.
Funny you mention the ark of the covenant...