Exodus 20:18-26

Do Not Make Gods of Silver

Read the passage

18When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance.

19“Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.”

20“Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”

21And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.

22Then the LORD said to Moses, “This is what you are to tell the Israelites: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven.

23You are not to make any gods alongside Me; you are not to make for yourselves gods of silver or gold.

24You are to make for Me an altar of earth, and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats and cattle. In every place where I cause My name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.

25Now if you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with stones shaped by tools; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it.

26And you must not go up to My altar on steps, lest your nakedness be exposed on it.’

Berean Standard Bible

Read aloud

The people see the lightning and smoke and hear the ram's horn. Trembling, they stand at a distance and ask Moses to speak to them instead of God, because they fear they will die.

Moses tells them not to be afraid, then says God has come to test them so that the fear of Him will keep them from sinning. He distinguishes terror that drives them away from reverence that teaches them to obey. The people remain at a distance while Moses approaches the thick darkness where God is.

The LORD reminds Israel that they have heard Him speak from heaven. They must not make gods of silver or gold alongside Him. A manufactured image cannot replace the living God who has made Himself known by His word.

God gives directions for an altar of earth and for offerings from their sheep, goats, and cattle. If they build an altar of stone, they must not shape its stones with tools. They must not approach it by steps that would expose their nakedness. Worship is to follow His commands, including details they might otherwise decide for themselves.

The Lord also promises to come and bless His people wherever He causes His name to be remembered. The altar is not a device for summoning Him or making Him indebted to them. Blessing comes through His gracious presence, received in the worship He appoints.

Questions

1 Why do the people ask Moses to speak to them?

AnswerThey are frightened by God's appearance and fear they will die if He speaks to them directly. They ask to hear His words through Moses.

2 What kind of fear does Moses say should remain with them?

AnswerReverence for God that keeps them from sinning. He tells them not to be terrified while urging them to take God's holiness seriously.

3 What does God forbid them to make?

AnswerGods of silver or gold alongside Him. They have heard the LORD speak and must not replace Him with objects of their own making.

4 What promise accompanies the altar instructions?

AnswerWhere God causes His name to be remembered, He will come and bless them. His presence, not the material of an idol, is the source of blessing.

What This Means for Us

God speaks, gives commands, and promises His presence. Worship begins by receiving what He has made known. We should ask whether our practices help us hear and obey His word, rather than assuming that an impressive appearance or a bare room guarantees reverence.

When you pray together, resist the desire to make the moment prove something about your family. Come honestly before God, listen to Scripture, confess what is wrong, and thank Him for His mercy. The blessing we seek is life with Him, not an image of ourselves as especially religious.

Prayer

We pray: Lord, deliver us from worshiping what our hands or ambitions have made. Keep us near enough to hear Your word and humble enough to receive it without trying to control You. Amen.

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