Something occurred to me the other day. In the ten commandments, at least the versions I've been socialized with (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) on of the commandments says that you shall worship no other gods before him (him being Christian God of course) and I've also heard the version with the jealous god. So, if the 10 commandments were God's word is this an admission (maybe that's the wrong word but you can figure it out) that there are in fact other gods, more than one god?

No I have always taken that to mean to me and what I have been taught is that is meaning anything else that you put above God, be that money, animals, your family.... It would be idolatry (or however it is spelled).

I THINK it goes back to the Book of Exodus, where Moses had just received the Ten Commandments, up on top of Mount Sinai, from the Burning Bush(God).

God had given him the tablets, in order to tell the people, who had just escaped Egypt, and the Pharoah's wrath, what His Laws were.

Moses was gone for quite awhile, and, the people decided to constuct an image of God, in their view, as to who He was.

It was a Golden Calf.(who knows where that one came from)

When Moses did come down from Mount Sinai, he was highly pizzed, that the people he had led out of Egypt, had taken this step.

Amazing, how God foresaw what those people were up to, in Moses' absence!

No I have always taken that to mean to me and what I have been taught is that is meaning anything else that you put above God, be that money, animals, your family.... It would be idolatry (or however it is spelled).

That was always my interpretation as well.

Pix, if you're interested in reading the Bible, pick up the New Student Bible. It has annotations, historical references and explanations so you can understand what's going on instead of having to slog through the KJV archaic language, which always made my head spin and caused me to lose interest rather quickly.

... if you're interested in reading the Bible, pick up the New Student Bible.

Another really good Bible is the Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

Pixie, another option would be to check out the local churches in your area, that may offer night classes.

My church offers a course that's called "Disciple", whereby a group study takes apart(?) every book of the Bible, book by book, and chapter by chapter, right down to every applicable verse. I found it very informative.

It takes about 34 weeks, to go through the entire Bible, but it is very interesting. My Pastor was our leader, our guide, and he helped us to understand what was being said.

Pixie, another option would be to check out the local churches in your area, that may offer night classes.

My church offers a course that's called "Disciple", whereby a group study takes apart(?) every book of the Bible, book by book, and chapter by chapter, right down to every applicable verse. I found it very informative.

It takes about 34 weeks, to go through the entire Bible, but it is very interesting. My Pastor was our leader, our guide, and he helped us to understand what was being said.

Your Pastor's pace :coffee: for providing this course almost seems managable.

That it's Iinformative would probably get me to attend. Which Church?

Your Pastor's pace :coffee: for providing this course almost seems managable.

That it's Iinformative would probably get me to attend. Which Church?

St. Paul's UMC, on H. G. Truman Rd., in Lusby. The 1st time I attended the 11:00am Service, I KNEW this was the church I was looking for. Pastor Ron is a great man, and his views/explanations - about scripture - are easy to understand.

He makes sense, and is an inspiring individual. His Sermons, mostly about the main thought of that Sunday's message, leave you in awe of Jesus Christ's Word!

Another really good Bible is the Thompson Chain Reference Bible.

Or the New American Bible study version. Gives you a breakdown of each book (most of the breakdowns are longer than the books!), historical data, maps, timelines, etc.

Oh, and back to the original question. The meaning is that nothing comes before the one true God. We put so many other things (money, lust, fame, Wii's, food, etc.) first that become OUR gods.

The commandment reads "I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me." This doesn't interpret that he is "Head God." It means he is the one and only and nothing will ever be above him.

Or the New American Bible study version. Gives you a breakdown of each book (most of the breakdowns are longer than the books!), historical data, maps, timelines, etc.

Oh, and back to the original question. The meaning is that nothing comes before the one true God. We put so many other things (money, lust, fame, Wii's, food, etc.) first that become OUR gods.

The commandment reads "I am the Lord your God. You shall not have strange gods before me." This doesn't interpret that he is "Head God." It means he is the one and only and nothing will ever be above him.

Amen to that!

Another author, that I loved to read, is J. Vernon McGee. He is deceased(1989), but had published a series of books, one of them being: "Through The Bible" vols. I-V, I believe. Vol. 4 covers the Four Gospels, as well as Acts and Romans.

It IS awesome!

Something occurred to me the other day. In the ten commandments, at least the versions I've been socialized with (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) on of the commandments says that you shall worship no other gods before him (him being Christian God of course) and I've also heard the version with the jealous god. So, if the 10 commandments were God's word is this an admission (maybe that's the wrong word but you can figure it out) that there are in fact other gods, more than one god?
:yay: Exodus 20:2-3
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. KJV, link (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020&version=KJV).

So where it says "the LORD thy God" the Hebrews words are "Yahweh Elohim" which means the "Father of the Gods" and so the answer is yes, the commandment is referring to other Gods that are lesser in rank.

This is why Jesus later said; "Our Father, which art in Heaven", because Jesus is a lesser God than the Father.



:larry:

Something occurred to me the other day. In the ten commandments, at least the versions I've been socialized with (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) on of the commandments says that you shall worship no other gods before him (him being Christian God of course) and I've also heard the version with the jealous god. So, if the 10 commandments were God's word is this an admission (maybe that's the wrong word but you can figure it out) that there are in fact other gods, more than one god?

I've never thought about it, but yes, I'd understand it that way.

No I have always taken that to mean to me and what I have been taught is that is meaning anything else that you put above God, be that money, animals, your family.... It would be idolatry (or however it is spelled).

But those aren't gods. Its not written to not put anything else above God but specifically to not put other gods above God.

In saying that I'm not trying to be confrontational or say you're not correct, only thinking out loud (or in writing in this case). I believe that everyone is absolutely entitled their own beliefs.

That was always my interpretation as well.

Pix, if you're interested in reading the Bible, pick up the New Student Bible. It has annotations, historical references and explanations so you can understand what's going on instead of having to slog through the KJV archaic language, which always made my head spin and caused me to lose interest rather quickly.

I'm not particularly interested in reading the bible. It was just something that randomly popped into my head the other day and I'd been thinking about it. I was curious to others thoughts or interpretations of it.

Pixie, another option would be to check out the local churches in your area, that may offer night classes.

My church offers a course that's called "Disciple", whereby a group study takes apart(?) every book of the Bible, book by book, and chapter by chapter, right down to every applicable verse. I found it very informative.

It takes about 34 weeks, to go through the entire Bible, but it is very interesting. My Pastor was our leader, our guide, and he helped us to understand what was being said.\

Thanks for the option but I'm not really into a church's interpretation of the bible. Not to be contrite but churches have an agenda, to promote their religion.

I've never thought about it, but yes, I'd understand it that way.

What gets me is all the interpretation required. The bible was written in a time when people were not nearly as smart, educated, what have you, as they are now.

What gets me is all the interpretation required. The bible was written in a time when people were not nearly as smart, educated, what have you, as they are now.You also have to take into consideration that speech patterns and language have evolved, so sometimes older writings are hard for "laymen" to decipher. For example, I'm reading a biography of Anne Boleyn. They've included some letters and notes that were written by or about her, which are very confusing. And that was only about 500 years ago.

Something occurred to me the other day. In the ten commandments, at least the versions I've been socialized with (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) on of the commandments says that you shall worship no other gods before him (him being Christian God of course) and I've also heard the version with the jealous god. So, if the 10 commandments were God's word is this an admission (maybe that's the wrong word but you can figure it out) that there are in fact other gods, more than one god?

Interesting interpretation, I hadn't really thought of it that way before. I don't think that's necessarily what is being said, but it's interesting nonetheless.

As basically the #1 law of any of the Judeo-Christian religions, I think it's saying that if you're going to follow that religion then you must worship that God, first and foremost. If you don't then you might as well go elsewhere. It's talking more about the need to believe than it is making an admission to there being others.

Pix, if you're interested in reading the Bible, pick up the New Student Bible. It has annotations, historical references and explanations so you can understand what's going on instead of having to slog through the KJV archaic language, which always made my head spin and caused me to lose interest rather quickly.
:huggy: There is a wacky group of people who say that the King James Version is the only right one but that is NOT so. It was easy to understand in the 1600's in the time of Shakespeare when they spoke that way but not today.
I'm really glad you're making an effort to read it Vrai. The New International Version is also very good and you should always look for a "study Bible" in whatever version you get. The study version give explanations for most (not all) of the verses and cross references to further expalin what is being said. You've made my day lady!!
But those aren't gods. Its not written to not put anything else above God but specifically to not put other gods above God.
What gets me is all the interpretation required. The bible was written in a time when people were not nearly as smart, educated, what have you, as they are now.
As people have explained on here, a god is anyone/thing that a person places more value in than the real God of the Bible. A god doesn't necessarily have to be an image or statue that people bow down to, it can be money, a job, a person, power, an animal, etc. Good observation Pixie...

:huggy: There is a wacky group of people who say that the King James Version is the only right one but that is NOT so. It was easy to understand in the 1600's in the time of Shakespeare when they spoke that way but not today.
I'm really glad you're making an effort to read it Vrai. The New International Version is also very good and you should always look for a "study Bible" in whatever version you get. The study version give explanations for most (not all) of the verses and cross references to further expalin what is being said. You've made my day lady!!

As people have explained on here, a god is anyone/thing that a person places more value in than the real God of the Bible. A god doesn't necessarily have to be an image or statue that people bow down to, it can be money, a job, a person, power, an animal, etc. Good observation Pixie...

Whoever thinks the King James version is the only "right" version is :crazy:

As for the definition of a god, I disagree to some extent. You're making the claim that it's any person or item that people put ABOVE the real God of the Bible. I would think it could be anything that they put on some sort of pedestal. That doesn't mean it needs to supersede the God of the Bible. However, the commandment itself dictates that it is only those items valued above the God of the Bible that are not allowable.

Honestly, I interpret it more as there's only 1 God and that's that. No minor Gods or any other crap, because then you can make the argument that the Greek or Roman Gods are acceptable where Zeus/Jupiter is the Supreme God and as long as you view him as #1 then you can have a plethora of lesser Gods that you pray to. That makes no sense.

I always just assumed because it was written in a time when many worshipped multiple Gods..it was just stating that hey..God is the one true God..not the other ones. Not that the other gods are real..but not to be worshipped..but that they don't really exist. Only God does. That's how I have always seen it.

I always just assumed because it was written in a time when many worshipped multiple Gods..it was just stating that hey..God is the one true God..not the other ones. Not that the other gods are real..but not to be worshipped..but that they don't really exist. Only God does. That's how I have always seen it.

Along those lines, you have to realise that there were other nations in that region, that had many gods, which were in fact, worshipped. The Egyptians had more than one, the Assyrians(sp?) and Babalonians(another(sp?) had multiple gods that were also worhipped by those people as well.

I think what God the Father was telling His people was that HE delivered them from their torment - out of Egypt/Pharoah's grasp, and that they needed to know and understand the fact that - if they were to be His People, they would have no other god, or gods in their lives, save for Him.

Does that make sense?

Whoever thinks the King James version is the only "right" version is :crazy:

As for the definition of a god, I disagree to some extent. You're making the claim that it's any person or item that people put ABOVE the real God of the Bible. I would think it could be anything that they put on some sort of pedestal. That doesn't mean it needs to supersede the God of the Bible. However, the commandment itself dictates that it is only those items valued above the God of the Bible that are not allowable.

Honestly, I interpret it more as there's only 1 God and that's that. No minor Gods or any other crap, because then you can make the argument that the Greek or Roman Gods are acceptable where Zeus/Jupiter is the Supreme God and as long as you view him as #1 then you can have a plethora of lesser Gods that you pray to. That makes no sense.
I agree, but there is a group of people whom Christians call the "KJ ONLY group". I speak to some of them often and they are, as you say :crazy:

In the second paragraph, I think I covered it with person/thing, same as what you're saying but I'll add that nothing should be worshipped or made equal to the one true God. Isaiah & Job mention that often.

In paragraph 3 I agree with your first line and, of course, I don't believe in the Greek & Roman "gods". I'm about to light into JPC with his wacky version of his own theology and these "lesser gods".

:yay: Exodus 20:2-3
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. KJV, link (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020&version=KJV).

So where it says "the LORD thy God" the Hebrews words are "Yahweh Elohim" which means the "Father of the Gods" and so the answer is yes, the commandment is referring to other Gods that are lesser in rank.

This is why Jesus later said; "Our Father, which art in Heaven", because Jesus is a lesser God than the Father.
Everything you say can and will be used against you on Judgment day so QUIT while you're ahead. You couldn't be more wrong...no wonder you're a politician...
We do NOT all get saved on judgment day;

Yahweh Elohim does NOT mean "Father of the Gods" since there is only ONE God. YHWH or Yahweh is the tetragrammaton or the word referring to the Hebrew name used for God.
Elohim is the reference to the plurality of beings in the Godhead (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).

And, I'll correct your ignorance about Jesus too. He is NOT "a lesser God than the Father". Again, your inability to understand the meaning of Scripture is evident. I know exactly which verses you're going to use to support your case but you're STILL wrong.
Jesus has 2 natures just as we do. One is physical (human) and one is spiritual (Divine). He is the only person, EVER, who can refer to Himself as God and also refer to God the Father as His Father. The first reference is from Jesus' Divine side and the other is from His human side.

Everything you say can and will be used against you on Judgment day so QUIT while you're ahead. You couldn't be more wrong...no wonder you're a politician...
We do NOT all get saved on judgment day;

Yahweh Elohim does NOT mean "Father of the Gods" since there is only ONE God. YHWH or Yahweh is the tetragrammaton or the word referring to the Hebrew name used for God.
Elohim is the reference to the plurality of beings in the Godhead (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).

And, I'll correct your ignorance about Jesus too. He is NOT "a lesser God than the Father". Again, your inability to understand the meaning of Scripture is evident. I know exactly which verses you're going to use to support your case but you're STILL wrong.
Jesus has 2 natures just as we do. One is physical (human) and one is spiritual (Divine). He is the only person, EVER, who can refer to Himself as God and also refer to God the Father as His Father. The first reference is from Jesus' Divine side and the other is from His human side.


I was wondering when someone was going to "nail him" on that statement!
Jesus Christ was and is not a "lesser God" than the Father.

Read the initial verses of the Gospel of John: "In the begining was the Word, he was with God, and He WAS God".

When Jesus was teaching His followers how to pray, He told them to say: "Our Father, who art in Heaven, halloweth be Thy Name ..........." That does not denote that Jesus was a lesser God than the Father. Jesus was God in the flesh.

Everything you say can and will be used against you on Judgment day so QUIT while you're ahead. You couldn't be more wrong...no wonder you're a politician...
We do NOT all get saved on judgment day;

Yahweh Elohim does NOT mean "Father of the Gods" since there is only ONE God. YHWH or Yahweh is the tetragrammaton or the word referring to the Hebrew name used for God.
Elohim is the reference to the plurality of beings in the Godhead (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).

And, I'll correct your ignorance about Jesus too. He is NOT "a lesser God than the Father". Again, your inability to understand the meaning of Scripture is evident. I know exactly which verses you're going to use to support your case but you're STILL wrong.
Jesus has 2 natures just as we do. One is physical (human) and one is spiritual (Divine). He is the only person, EVER, who can refer to Himself as God and also refer to God the Father as His Father. The first reference is from Jesus' Divine side and the other is from His human side.

I can hardly believe I'm saying this, but I entirely agree with you. :faint:

But then I have to tell you you are arguing with a man that ends every posting with either a guitar riff or a dueling smiley so I'm not sure he's not just "stirring the pot" with his completely "whacky theology".

Everything you say can and will be used against you on Judgment day so QUIT while you're ahead. You couldn't be more wrong...no wonder you're a politician...
We do NOT all get saved on judgment day;

Yahweh Elohim does NOT mean "Father of the Gods" since there is only ONE God. YHWH or Yahweh is the tetragrammaton or the word referring to the Hebrew name used for God.
Elohim is the reference to the plurality of beings in the Godhead (Father, Son & Holy Spirit).

And, I'll correct your ignorance about Jesus too. He is NOT "a lesser God than the Father". Again, your inability to understand the meaning of Scripture is evident. I know exactly which verses you're going to use to support your case but you're STILL wrong.
Jesus has 2 natures just as we do. One is physical (human) and one is spiritual (Divine). He is the only person, EVER, who can refer to Himself as God and also refer to God the Father as His Father. The first reference is from Jesus' Divine side and the other is from His human side.

You're wrong about Yahweh Elohim. It means God Almighty (Elohim being the "Almighty" part), which is basically a way of saying God has absolute power over all. Judaism first used that name and they absolutely do NOT believe in the "Godhead" and plurality stuff that Christianity does.

As for the Jesus stuff, that all confuses the living heck out of me. He prays to another God and not himself, yet he himself is supposedly God as well, yet he's not God because his father is actually God, so really that means they are two separate beings (with the holy spirit being #3), so that means that this "plurality" Godhead that you refer to means that the 1st commandment is essentially being broken. Obviously y'all don't think that's the case so there must be something else going on but it seems like a major twist on the established ruleset to justify it.

Exodus 20:2-3
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. KJV, link (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020&version=KJV).

So where it says "the LORD thy God" the Hebrews words are "Yahweh Elohim" which means the "Father of the Gods" and so the answer is yes, the commandment is referring to other Gods that are lesser in rank.

This is why Jesus later said; "Our Father, which art in Heaven", because Jesus is a lesser God than the Father.
:bigwhoop: I do see that other people have different beliefs than mine,

but I stand by my posting above as being accurate and true.

And my preaching is intended for people that want to dig deeper and go farther and it is not for everyone. The people that only seek salvation after death will surely get what they are after even if they are wrong about everything else.



:duel:

You also have to take into consideration that speech patterns and language have evolved, so sometimes older writings are hard for "laymen" to decipher. For example, I'm reading a biography of Anne Boleyn. They've included some letters and notes that were written by or about her, which are very confusing. And that was only about 500 years ago.

When was the Bible written for?

I can hardly believe I'm saying this, but I entirely agree with you. :faint:
But then I have to tell you you are arguing with a man that ends every posting with either a guitar riff or a dueling smiley so I'm not sure he's not just "stirring the pot" with his completely "whacky theology".
I want to make ure everyone sees this... :yahoo:
I knew I'd eventually win you over... Hi sweetie! :huggy:

Jesus has 2 natures just as we do. One is physical (human) and one is spiritual (Divine). He is the only person, EVER, who can refer to Himself as God and also refer to God the Father as His Father. The first reference is from Jesus' Divine side and the other is from His human side.
You're wrong about Yahweh Elohim. It means God Almighty (Elohim being the "Almighty" part), which is basically a way of saying God has absolute power over all. Judaism first used that name and they absolutely do NOT believe in the "Godhead" and plurality stuff that Christianity does.
As for the Jesus stuff, that all confuses the living heck out of me. He prays to another God and not himself, yet he himself is supposedly God as well, yet he's not God because his father is actually God, so really that means they are two separate beings (with the holy spirit being #3), so that means that this "plurality" Godhead that you refer to means that the 1st commandment is essentially being broken. Obviously y'all don't think that's the case so there must be something else going on but it seems like a major twist on the established ruleset to justify it.
I do not agree with you on the Elohim part but that's not a big deal to me. It's not the words that matter, it's knowing who they refer to.

I re-quoted myself to hopefully explain (again) the Jesus mystery.
You and I believe in one God; no problems there. We part company on the Jesus issue as I do (and Jesus did) with many Jewish folks. The explanation is simple really BUT you have to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, which I know you say you don't.
It goes back to Jesus being called the Son of David and yet David called Jesus, "Lord". It's easy to see but only when one acknowledges that Jesus is both God and man.

...And my preaching is intended for people that want to dig deeper and go farther and it is not for everyone. The people that only seek salvation after death will surely get what they are after even if they are wrong about everything else.
Democrat - Strike one
False teacher - Strike 2
????? - Strike 3 You're in a bad & dangerous spot mister...
You can believe whatever you want but, if anyone is dumb enough to believe what you say (not likely), you're responsible for their being misled.
There is only one thing DEEP about your teachings....:whistle:
NO ONE GETS SAVED AFTER THEY DIE.

Everything you say can and will be used against you on Judgment day so QUIT while you're ahead.

Ahead?! When did he get ahead?











oh my... :whistle:

Everything you say can and will be used against you on Judgment day so QUIT while you're ahead. You couldn't be more wrong...no wonder you're a politician...
Ahead?! When did he get ahead?
Good point Psy. I guess I got caught up in a moment of cliche sayings.
Maybe it should read: "JPC, QUIT since you're a head case..."
I think Pixie got her answer but I hope she didn't get it from J ust P lain C razy..

I want to make ure everyone sees this... :yahoo:
I knew I'd eventually win you over... Hi sweetie! :huggy:


.

Go ahead and gloat my friend, but I'm sure there are more battles ahead. :buddies:

Something occurred to me the other day. In the ten commandments, at least the versions I've been socialized with (Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian) on of the commandments says that you shall worship no other gods before him (him being Christian God of course) and I've also heard the version with the jealous god. So, if the 10 commandments were God's word is this an admission (maybe that's the wrong word but you can figure it out) that there are in fact other gods, more than one god?

Hi There,
Real Gods no, but other peoples did have other gods like Molech of which they used to do child sacrifices to. They would create a medal idol light a fire around get it red hot and then put there children in the outstretched arms of it. Thats one of the reasons they were to be a separate people and not intermarry because of the other peoples gods.
<DIR>Deu 4:33 Did any people ever hear the voice of a god speaking out of the midst of the fire, as you have heard, and still live?
Deu 4:34 Or has any god ever attempted to go and take a nation for himself from the midst of another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, and by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great deeds of terror, all of which the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?
Deu 4:35 To you it was shown, that you might know that the LORD is God; there is no other besides him.
</DIR>
It also has the application that was mentioned of other Idols like money.

You have the exodus 20 list and the Deut list
<DIR>Exo 20:1 And God spoke all these words, saying,
Exo 20:2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Exo 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me.
Exo 20:4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Exo 20:5 You shall not bow down to them or 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 the fourth generation of those who hate me,
Exo 20:6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Exo 20:7 "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Exo 20:8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exo 20:9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work,
Exo 20:10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates.
Exo 20:11 For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Exo 20:12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Exo 20:13 "You shall not murder.
Exo 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery.
Exo 20:15 "You shall not steal.
Exo 20:16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Exo 20:17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's."
</DIR><DIR>Deu 5:6 "'I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Deu 5:7 "'You shall have no other gods before me.
Deu 5:8 "'You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.
Deu 5:9 You shall not bow down to them or 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 generation of those who hate me,
Deu 5:10 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Deu 5:11 "'You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
Deu 5:12 "'Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you.
Deu 5:13 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
Deu 5:14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter or your male servant or your female servant, or your ox or your donkey or any of your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates, that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you.
Deu 5:15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the LORD your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
Deu 5:16 "'Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.
Deu 5:17 "'You shall not murder.
Deu 5:18 "'And you shall not commit adultery.
Deu 5:19 "'And you shall not steal.
Deu 5:20 "'And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Deu 5:21 "'And you shall not covet your neighbor's wife. And you shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.'
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I always just assumed because it was written in a time when many worshipped multiple Gods..it was just stating that hey..God is the one true God..not the other ones. Not that the other gods are real..but not to be worshipped..but that they don't really exist. Only God does. That's how I have always seen it.

I agree Mossess was introducing Monotheism. You recall Jacobs wife stole her fathers house gods. They would worship collect other gods and try to worship both, it was common to have a differnt god for a differnt thing like the god of the harvest or the god of rain. Mosses made it very clear in the passage that I posted that the other gods were powerless and not the true god. There was the big stand down where Elijah makes fun of them and taunts them

<DIR>1Ki 18:27 And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, "Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened."
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Amen to that!

Another author, that I loved to read, is J. Vernon McGee. He is deceased(1989), but had published a series of books, one of them being: "Through The Bible" vols. I-V, I believe. Vol. 4 covers the Four Gospels, as well as Acts and Romans.

It IS awesome!

My dealy beloved.....:buddies: I remember listening to him many years ago on the radio. He gave an example of how a lady with a cane was being told her pain would go away if she had more faith. JVM says "next time someone tells you that take your cane and hit them in the leg. Ask them if it hurts and if they say yes tell them if they had more faith it wouldn't."

LOL

:yay: Exodus 20:2-3
I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
Thou shalt have no other gods before me. KJV, link (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2020&version=KJV).

So where it says "the LORD thy God" the Hebrews words are "Yahweh Elohim" which means the "Father of the Gods" and so the answer is yes, the commandment is referring to other Gods that are lesser in rank.

This is why Jesus later said; "Our Father, which art in Heaven", because Jesus is a lesser God than the Father.



:larry:

So does this mean your a lesser James Cusic than James Cusic?

Jesus is God period, but hey dont take my word. See attached