Graven Images

What countries? Is the bow a sign of respect or worship? The key is who I worship.

I agree, but I didn't make myself very clear. I was wanting to know what you thought about the questions asked earlier:

Why did God have them do these things?

Speak Little Listen Much wrote:I agree, but I didn't make myself very clear. I was wanting to know what you thought about the questions asked earlier:

Why did God have them do these things?

That is a good question... I like your idea about representing God's throne... I really don't know... anyone else have any insight on this question?

I do. The question here is whether or not we are acting out of obedience. The word says it is better to obey than sacrifice. Obedience to the word of God overrides all else. It is worship to obey. Better, it is a sign of worship to obey. We could include Abraham and Isaac and the instructions to sacrifice a child. We could include, is it Hosea who was instructed to marry a harlot?. The key is obedience and obedience is a sign of worship.

Noel George wrote:I do not think that God has any problem with statues or images or carvings. But God seems to have a BIG problem with people bowing down to worship anything but Him. He is a jealous God. He wants our full attention. Anything that is taking God's place in your life is an idol, something to be worshiped besides Him. Everytime in Scripture, God takes offense at this! Great thoughts by everyone! Keep posting!

Therefore, the issue as phrased here is the "bowing down." Then, does that make it okay if I stand or sit to worship? Just as long as I do not bow? Bowing is reserved for the Lord only, in other words.
(just asking questions from my warped perspective )
Dale

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." says Jesus in Luke 10...combining Deut 6:5 and Lev 19:18

All other commands hinge on these.

...so context is everything:
-am I really loving God with all my heart, soul, and strength? Do I love my neighbor as myself...daily? It doesn't really matter what it is, right? We are to be mastered by no one and no thing, but Christ.

Also, I truly respect the earlier postings about not being a stumbling block to fellow brothers and sisters. It's important for a believer to not enjoy all his liberties in Christ in company who might be confused by that behaviour.

and, by the way, we are all imperfect at the above command, if not by commission, then certainly by omission.