Post by Sheila on Apr 3, 2024 15:49:13 GMT -5
"You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them" (Exodus 29:4-5).
This, the second commandment, has probably caused more arguments among believers than any other commandment with the exception of "You shall not murder" found in Exodus 20:13. We'll take a look at the disagreements later. Almost no one would disagree that anything created by the hands of man such as statues or monuments shouldn't be bowed to or worshiped. The Israelites created the golden calf and made sacrifices to it while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments as told in Exodus 32:1-6. Bowing to and worshiping statues of any god of any other religion, images of those carved on monuments, etc, whether a sacrifice is offered or not, are also forbidden under this commandment. But so to would be putting any person or image of a person, money, or possessions above God. You may not physically bow to these things, but they're considered an idol if they become more important to you than God.
The disagreements about this commandment come from the way different people interpret Scripture, by the words they use, and/or by the way the define certain words. Some Christians use verses found in the Bible to say we're never to bow to anyone. One such verse is found in the book of Revelation. John says, "I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel" (verse 8). In verse 9, the angel rebukes John and tells him not to do so. According to the Orthodox-Reformed Bridge, a web site for that denomination, the verses in Revelation don't forbid bowing to people or venerating them, it says not to worship them. The explanation goes on to say that "the difference between veneration and worship would be offering a sacrifice" [1]. So what did John offer as a sacrifice to the angel that elevated what he did from veneration to worship? Nothing, unless it was something in his mind or heart. Nowhere in Revelation does it say John offered up a burnt offering, prayer, or anything else.
They claim that bowing to certain people and in certain cultures is acceptable. Examples are given of people in the Bible bowing to other angels, kings, various other leaders, and so on. Also pointed out is the fact that many people today bow to each other and it's not considered worship. Yes, people in countries such as Japan will give a small bow to each other as a form of greeting instead of shaking hands. That's not exactly the same as dropping to your knees or even close to worshiping a person. In some countries, people go so far as to drop to their knee or knees when approaching or be approached by kings, queens, and other leaders. This is nearing the danger zone, at least in my mind, although other people say it's being done to respect or venerate the person.
To help you decide, let's break down the definition of "venerate". "Venerate" means to "respect with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of"[2]. Since "reverence" is a "deep respect", this form of "veneration" doesn't seem to cross the line into disobedience of God. To hallow someone is to make them sacred; to exalt someone is to elevate them in rank, power, or character; and, to be in awe of someone is to give them reverence mixed with fear and wonder. These latter actions can push the veneration over the line into disobedience. Be careful how far you go. Are you placing the person or object so high they become more important than God? It should also be asked if the bowing is only in veneration because worship requires a sacrifice, how can anyone say they worship God without offering up a sacrifice? Christians everywhere say they worship God, but no one is offering up burnt sacrifices? Are things such as tithing, communion, and prayer serving as sacrifices? In fact, it seems difficult to say that even bowing in prayer is only venerating God if I understand the way some denominations define veneration as bowing but no sacrifice being offered.
If you decide to bow to other people, keep a close guard on your heart and mind so the person or image you're bowing to isn't being set above God in any way. I've made my choice. I bow to no person other than to God. Some people may think I'm rude or disrespectful for this decision. Not bowing to anyone who uses this as their customary greeting may be seen as rude to some people; however, it's not my custom. Some people might see it as highly disrespectful if I don't bow to some member of royalty or a religious leader; however, I have only one King and one High Priest - Jesus Christ. This is the way I interpret the second commandment and to know I won't be creating an idol by placing anyone or anything else above God. What you choose is up to you.
* All quotes are from the New International Version of the Bible.
1. "No Bowing Allowed?"; Orthodox-Reformed Bridge web site; Robert Arakaki; 10/27/2020
2. Vocabulary.com
Copyright © 2024 by Sheila Rae Myers
This, the second commandment, has probably caused more arguments among believers than any other commandment with the exception of "You shall not murder" found in Exodus 20:13. We'll take a look at the disagreements later. Almost no one would disagree that anything created by the hands of man such as statues or monuments shouldn't be bowed to or worshiped. The Israelites created the golden calf and made sacrifices to it while Moses was on the mountain receiving the Ten Commandments as told in Exodus 32:1-6. Bowing to and worshiping statues of any god of any other religion, images of those carved on monuments, etc, whether a sacrifice is offered or not, are also forbidden under this commandment. But so to would be putting any person or image of a person, money, or possessions above God. You may not physically bow to these things, but they're considered an idol if they become more important to you than God.
The disagreements about this commandment come from the way different people interpret Scripture, by the words they use, and/or by the way the define certain words. Some Christians use verses found in the Bible to say we're never to bow to anyone. One such verse is found in the book of Revelation. John says, "I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel" (verse 8). In verse 9, the angel rebukes John and tells him not to do so. According to the Orthodox-Reformed Bridge, a web site for that denomination, the verses in Revelation don't forbid bowing to people or venerating them, it says not to worship them. The explanation goes on to say that "the difference between veneration and worship would be offering a sacrifice" [1]. So what did John offer as a sacrifice to the angel that elevated what he did from veneration to worship? Nothing, unless it was something in his mind or heart. Nowhere in Revelation does it say John offered up a burnt offering, prayer, or anything else.
They claim that bowing to certain people and in certain cultures is acceptable. Examples are given of people in the Bible bowing to other angels, kings, various other leaders, and so on. Also pointed out is the fact that many people today bow to each other and it's not considered worship. Yes, people in countries such as Japan will give a small bow to each other as a form of greeting instead of shaking hands. That's not exactly the same as dropping to your knees or even close to worshiping a person. In some countries, people go so far as to drop to their knee or knees when approaching or be approached by kings, queens, and other leaders. This is nearing the danger zone, at least in my mind, although other people say it's being done to respect or venerate the person.
To help you decide, let's break down the definition of "venerate". "Venerate" means to "respect with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of"[2]. Since "reverence" is a "deep respect", this form of "veneration" doesn't seem to cross the line into disobedience of God. To hallow someone is to make them sacred; to exalt someone is to elevate them in rank, power, or character; and, to be in awe of someone is to give them reverence mixed with fear and wonder. These latter actions can push the veneration over the line into disobedience. Be careful how far you go. Are you placing the person or object so high they become more important than God? It should also be asked if the bowing is only in veneration because worship requires a sacrifice, how can anyone say they worship God without offering up a sacrifice? Christians everywhere say they worship God, but no one is offering up burnt sacrifices? Are things such as tithing, communion, and prayer serving as sacrifices? In fact, it seems difficult to say that even bowing in prayer is only venerating God if I understand the way some denominations define veneration as bowing but no sacrifice being offered.
If you decide to bow to other people, keep a close guard on your heart and mind so the person or image you're bowing to isn't being set above God in any way. I've made my choice. I bow to no person other than to God. Some people may think I'm rude or disrespectful for this decision. Not bowing to anyone who uses this as their customary greeting may be seen as rude to some people; however, it's not my custom. Some people might see it as highly disrespectful if I don't bow to some member of royalty or a religious leader; however, I have only one King and one High Priest - Jesus Christ. This is the way I interpret the second commandment and to know I won't be creating an idol by placing anyone or anything else above God. What you choose is up to you.
* All quotes are from the New International Version of the Bible.
1. "No Bowing Allowed?"; Orthodox-Reformed Bridge web site; Robert Arakaki; 10/27/2020
2. Vocabulary.com
Copyright © 2024 by Sheila Rae Myers