God had said it long ago. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God.” Exodus 20:4-5

Yet King Manasseh ignored this command. Blatantly, purposefully, rebelliously!

His biographer records: “And he (Manasseh) set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen before all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever.” 2 Chronicles 33:7

And the historian who wrote the Book of Kings agrees. “And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever.” 2 Kings 21:7, nearly the same words!

God’s Name ONLY was to be adored in that Temple!

But now, a man-made image, a stupid idol … was also to be worshipped in that Holy Place!

The Hebrew verb “set” translates “sum,” a little word meaning “to appoint, to ordain!” It sounds so official!

The noun “carved image” (in Hebrew “pecel”) comes from a root word meaning “to cut, shape, fashion, hew, quarry.” The perverted “artist” would be needed, his expertise! A woodworker, goldsmith or stonemason, sculptor.

I still notice today how many ultra-liberal, pushing-the-envelope, unashamedly wicked communities seem to “love” the “arts!” Of course they often re-define what the “arts” may involve! (A crucifix, a cross, bottled in urine … for example! Blasphemy!)

This “graven image” is a slap in the Face of Almighty God!

Folks, in America today … so proud of her multi-cultured mindset, her unprecedented diversity, her limitless pluralism … our Nation  likely has more idols and images and false tokens of worship than ever before, in all our history!

We tend to be harsh on King Manasseh, and maybe rightly so.

But I remind you, our Country is not far behind!

God, help us.

Today, Christian friends, make MUCH of the great God Who saved you from sin. Tell Him how exclusive He is in your life! Agree with Peter who one day said: “Lord, to whom (else) shall we go? Thou (alone) hast the words of eternal life.” John 6:68

Amen!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell