Deuteronomy 5:7 You shall have none other gods before me. This commandment may be regarded as settling the first principle, the fundamental article of the Jewish creed, and as prescribing the first of Jewish duties. And the article is of universal obligation. The article of faith is the Divine unity; the article of duty, the exclusive worship and service of that one God. There can be no doubt that idolatry on the part of Israel was the primary and most offensive breach of the covenant. 1. What dishonour it did to Jehovah, the one God! What must have been the impression on the minds of the heathen when their idols were preferred by Israel to their own Jehovah! 2. Such conduct was strongly interdicted, as involving in it the foulest ingratitude. 3. Idolatry stood not alone. The worship given to these other gods was, in itself and in its accompaniments, made up of all that was otherwise odious in God's sight. How just the designation of these idolatries by Peter, "abominable idolatries." (R. Wardlaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Thou shalt have none other gods before me. |
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