2197.—The Second Commandment.
Is it not a violation of the second commandment to retain any kind of pictures or images? It seems a great stress is placed on it.
O. C. There is one injunction by the preacher, “Be not righteous overmuch.” It would seem to apply well to those who are endeavoring to manufacture idolators out of their interpretation of the second commandment. The second great precept of the Ten forbids the making of graven images in order to worship. The commandment is not against the making, but against the making in order to worship. For, most certainly, God did not command the violation of this precept, and yet He did command the making of images of things both in heaven and in earth. The sanctuary and all its furniture were made from patterns of things in the heavens, and part of the ornamentations were images of things on the earth, as were the bells and the pomegranates. About everything that men make in this world is an image of something else. Does this make idolators of those who made God’s tabernacle and its furnishings? It is well to make houses to dwell in, but many a man adores his house. It is well to compose beautiful music, but many a musician worships at his own shrine of genius and art. It is well to be faithful to God’s word, but many a soul worships his own Pharisaic theories and daily bows in adoration at his own self-righteousness while he condemns his humble brother, who may be much better than he. It is not wise or right or good to lavish money on pictures of our poor selves or to worship the pictures of our friends, but we can not see wrong in simple remembrances of our friends, nor in using pictures and illustrations—one of the oldest forms of writing—to make truth plainer. Worship God, and interpret His word by His word, rather than by the imaginations of humanity.