Exodus 20:4-6
"You shall not make for yourself any idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them nor serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing graciousness and steadfast lovingkindness to the thousandth generation of those who love Me and keep My commandments"
In this commandment, God instructs us against making anything an object of devotion. We are cautioned not to obsess over things like substances, people, indulgences, or possessions—anything other than God. The commandment underscores the danger of allowing such things to take priority in our lives, as they can lead us away from our spiritual connection with God.
God refers to Himself as a jealous God, not in a petty or possessive sense, but as a caring creator. It's comparable to a parent worrying when a child chooses to leave his father’s house against his father's wishes. God's "jealousy" stems from a deep protective instinct, wanting the best for His children and trying to prevent the harm caused by allowing evil to influence you. His persistence to draw us back is like the concern of a loving parent for a disobedient runaway child.
Iniquity is a violation of the duty that mankind has. An iniquity can also be a wicked act or an immoral practice. These are harmful or offensive to society and God. In the bible, the terms, sin, and iniquity, are often used interchangeably. The commandment's mention of visiting iniquity on the generations reveals that defiance or disregard of God's ways can leave your life in ruin, otherwise known as a self-inflicted curse, affecting not only the individual but also future generations by neglecting to show their children what is right. This cycle continues until evil or iniquity is rejected, and a return to God's ways is embraced, breaking the pattern.
The commandment tells of God's abundant grace and boundless love for those who choose to follow His ways. It speaks of a ripple effect of blessing that extends beyond the individual to their children and grandchildren. When we follow God's commandments and choose to lead righteous lives, our example has a positive impact on our descendants, continuing the cycle of blessings. This means that God is vastly more interested in blessing us rather than cursing us.
This commentary is the basis to the children's poem book God's Law Revealed in Poems now available on Amazon. If you read and enjoy this book, please leave a review on Amazon to help others guide their children towards the light.