Exodus 20: 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven 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.
5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Because we live in an age of idolatry, and many may not seem to understand what it is, we must seek to learn what God is saying to us in those first passages when He commands us not bow down or serve gods and graven images.
In most instances in our day, the protestant world does not literally bow down to any physical graven image or idol. Those days, for the most part, are for all intents and purposes behind us, speaking of the contemporary Christianity of the day.
However, there are other false gods, and idols which have replaced those of wood and stone from years gone by. And there’s a whole lot of bowing down in our day, that persons may not understand to be the very thing God speaks against in the law.
And it is a fact that modern idolatry bears sway, the same as idolatry did in ancient times, and in certain instances it is even worse. Thus, we should seek to understand the full extent of the commandment, so that it can be uprooted from our hearts through the power of The Holy Ghost, in cooperation with our freedom of choice.
The commandment begins by forbidding persons to have any other gods except the One, and only true God. To have other gods means several things, such as to hold in reverence above God, or to deem more important than God, anything or anyone, and any of God’s created works, whether they are animate, or inanimate.
It also means to make or possess any graven images for purposes of worship, or to hold a philosophical idea and concept above what the Bible says. These are the more common forms of bowing down.
Again, anything that is allowed to consume our best energies, and interests, and anything we take more pleasure spending our time, effort and resources on more than Christ and His kingdom will fall into the category of other gods.
When persons come to a point in their lives where they firmly believe that they cannot live without a certain thing, or they cannot surrender a belief or a teaching that is contrary to the scriptures, that also becomes a god. And there are a lot of immaterial gods, we must be aware of.
For instance, evolution is a philosophical god, for it contradicts the great facts of creation, and therefore when any person knowingly adheres to its teachings they are bowing down to a false god.
Another graven image in our day is that of same sex marriage, which contradicts the Biblical teaching on marriage. Therefore, if people accept alternative marriage, and lifestyles as being right, it becomes a god, and by accepting it such persons are bowing down.
In fact, many persons are bowing down to a graven image, and they have not a clue as to what they are doing in many cases. Thus, before we proceed let us see the amplified version of our first passages. Let’s read:
[The Great Controversy pp 583] It is as easy to make an idol of false doctrines, and theories as to fashion an idol of wood or stone. With many a philosophical idol is enthroned in the place of Jehovah; “While the living God, as he is revealed in his Word, in Christ, and in the works of creation, is worshiped by but few. Thousands deify nature, while they deny the God of nature.
Though in a different form, idolatry exists in the Christian world today as verily as it existed among ancient Israel in the days of Elijah. The god of many professed wise men, philosophers, poets, politicians, journalists; the god of polished fashionable circles, of many colleges, universities and even of some theological institutions is little better than Baal, the sun god of Phoenicia.
However, after commanding us not to have any gods other than the True God the Bible says that we must not bow down to them nor serve them. This means that we must never let them dictate, stipulate, and direct what we do, for if this is done we will become subservient to them and will do their bidding in the end.
For example, if one is in the habit of bowing down to the god of fashion, whatsoever is trending would be purchased and worn, regardless of whether it is in harmony with what God says.
In fact, it does not even have to fit properly, once it is the in thing, persons who are governed solely by the latest fad or fashion, will eventually bow down, for it is a mode of thought and action that has come to be adopted.
When Jacob was on his way back home, he required the members of his family to surrender the jewelry, and other graven images in their possession, which he describes as gods. He then buries them out of sight, to prevent a return to former false concepts.
That’s because the Bible instructs us not to adorn ourselves with jewelry, so, if Jacob is now going to bury them where his family would never find them there must be something about it that is out of line with Biblical teaching, even though it is fashionable. Let’s read:
Genesis 35: 2 Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments.
3 And let us arise, and go up to Bethel; and I will make there an altar unto God, who answered me in the day of my distress, and was with me in the way which I went.
4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
Again, if a person worships at the altar of food, what ever the stomach craves will be given it, regardless of what God says. A Foodie is one who allows desire to control what is eaten, even if it is known to cause illness, disease and death.
In other words, if it tastes, smells and looks good, it will be eaten, with no consideration being given to the stipulations given by God to the human family, for our own good.
Therefore, in a nutshell, to bow down to anything or to anyone means to choose to do that which is quite contrary to what God says, and wherever that is the case, there you have a graven image, or other gods.
However, for the purposes of this Bible study we will focus specifically on what it means to bow down in our day, for many folks are bowing and do not know. When a person, tells us to do things contrary to the Bible, if we do it, we are bowing, plain and simple.
Everything the Christian does conscientiously should have its roots and foundation in the Scriptures, for if God has not ordained it and if He has forbidden it in any form or fashion, adhering to it becomes a form of bowing down.
For instance, when Moses refused to circumcise his son, because of remonstrances coming from his wife, he temporarily bowed down to her because he obeyed her voice instead of the instructions of God.
When Adam listened to Eve, instead of God, he also bowed down to his wife, and the rest is history, for his single act of bowing down, set in motion a train of circumstances that went on to produce billions of other bowers.
When against the plain command of The Lord, Joab did what David asked, by causing Uriah to be slain, and by lying when he did so, he also bowed down to David, and later on he repeated the very same error by numbering the people against the revealed will of God.
Joab obeyed David because of the philosophical concept that he held, that those who serve in any government are to yield implicit obedience to the dear leader, even if he or she directs you to do the very thing God has proscribed. Thus, it becomes a form of bowing down, for it is a flawed philosophy.
When Joab sent his befuddled narrative of Uriah’s demise in the battle to David, he bowed again for he was complicit in a crime, of which he knew better than to cover for David. And, he most likely will be lost eternally, for it seems as if he never gained the victory over bowing down.
When kings instruct their officials, and those under their employ, to tell blatant lies, if the subordinates acquiesce to the boss’ request they will be bowing down, because bearing false witness is forbidden in the Scriptures.
The reason why it’s important for us to understand the ramifications of bowing down to a false god is because when you bow down the very first time, it becomes easier to bow the second, and third time, and if there is not a change of heart, persons could become trapped in the habit of bowing.
Again, whenever pressure of any kind is brought to bear against a person to do that which they know is wrong, if they buckle, they will have bowed down.
The commandment against bowing, also includes situations where immense pressure is exerted to make you bow, even to the point where one’s life may be in danger.
And because we are living in an era where there is tremendous pressure being brought to bear against persons, for them to bow down by doing wrong, we must study from the Bible how not to bow.
The history of temptations and consequent falls of God’s people throughout the ages is replete with all different types of pressures being brought against them to turn aside from a plain thus saith The Lord.
Pressure was exerted against young Joseph, as he went about his daily duties in Potiphar’s house. He was pressured night and day to depart from truth and duty. Minding his business and not interfering with anyone, pressure would come against his poor soul, from the most unlikely source.
Mrs. Potiphar used entreaties, solicitations, praise, seduction, threats, and whining. Her efforts quite possible could have included offers to help Joseph carry out the garbage, even as she was scantily clad in provocative clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination.
She would come into Joseph’s little office and just sit there staring lustfully at the young man. Her efforts may have included financial rewards and other such incentives for Joseph to depart from strict integrity.
Day by day she would get more desperate in her efforts to exert maximum pressure, and then one day, when she couldn’t take it anymore, she tried choking Joseph into submission, until he had to run for his life with the stalker in hot pursuit.
So yes, Joseph suffered and endured tremendous pressure to bow down, yet he stood firm as a rock, not making excuses or provision for the flesh, as too many in our day often do. Let’s read:
Genesis 39:7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.
8 But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master knows not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;
9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back anything from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
10 And it came to pass, as she spoke to Joseph, day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her.
11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within.
12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.
In another instance in history political pressure was brought to bear against Micaiah the prophet to tell king Ahab only what he wanted to hear. Everyone in Ahab’s orbit was agreeing with his wishes, and thus, social, political, and peer pressures were employed in order to get Micaiah to bow down.
But again, he refused, as did faithful Joseph. Let us say here that it will become more and more difficult to preach the unadulterated truth, as pressures will mount against the servants of God who do. Again, when entreaty and peer pressure did not work, the king resorted to the use of force as he jailed the one who refused to bow down. Let’s read:
2nd Chronicles 18:12 And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, Behold, the words of the prophets declare good to the king with one assent; let thy word therefore, I pray thee, be like one of theirs, and speak thou good.
13 And Micaiah said, As the Lord lives, even what my God saith, that will I speak.
25 Then the king of Israel said, take ye Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
26 And say, thus saith the king, put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction, and with water of affliction, until I return in peace.
Again, as sacred history shows, severe pressure was exerted against Mordecai to bow down to Haman, a mere mortal man. Day by day, just as it happened in Joseph’s experience, pressure was mounted against the one who would not bow.
At first, entreaty was used, then political pressure and peer pressure were employed daily, to try and wear down the servant of God, but when Mordecai refused to bow down, the last resort was the use of force, as it has always been. That pattern of exercising, and increasing pressure, used by satan through human agents is particularly troubling, and must be thoroughly understood, for it almost always begins with entreaty, but always ends with the use of brute force. Let’s read:
Esther 3: 2 And all the king's servants, that were in the king's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the king had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence.
3 Then the king's servants, which were in the king's gate, said unto Mordecai, why do you transgress the king's commandment?
4 Now it came to pass, when they spoke daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew.
5 And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath.
6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
This is what took place with Aaron, who was facing the possibility of being stoned if he didn’t acquiesce to the demands of the people. Even though Aaron himself may never have worshipped the golden calf, in the most literal sense, the fact that he succumbed under pressure, means that he bowed. Let’s read:
Exodus 32:1 And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him.
3 And all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4 And he received them at their hand and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, these be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 316>317] Such a crisis demanded a man of firmness, decision, and unflinching courage; one who held the honor of God above popular favor, personal safety, or life itself. But the present leader of Israel was not of this character. Aaron feebly remonstrated with the people, but his wavering and timidity at the critical moment only rendered them more determined.
The tumult increased. A blind, unreasoning frenzy seemed to take possession of the multitude. There were some who remained true to their covenant with God, but the greater part of the people joined in the apostasy. A few who ventured to denounce the proposed image making as idolatry were set upon and roughly treated, and in the confusion and excitement they finally lost their lives.
In this dangerous life-threatening predicament what was Aaron supposed to do? The heat of the furnace has been turned up several notches, persons who dare to stand for the truth are being slain, and that frenzied mob cannot be reasoned with. What was Aaron supposed to do? Let’s read:
Patriarchs & Prophets pp 317] Aaron feared for his own safety; and instead of nobly standing up for the honor of God, he yielded to the demands of the multitude.
The Lord would have us understand that there are various kinds of pressure brought against persons to buckle and bow. There is social pressure, and there is peer pressure, there is political pressure and there is religious and financial pressure.
Again, there is that type of pressure that emanates from threats against your person, where if you were to refuse to bow, your life can be endangered. In the case of Joseph, Mrs. Potiphar exerted much social pressure upon the young man, and when seduction and entreaty would not work, she resorted to brute force.
Hence the reason why, when Moses asked Aaron of what the people did to him, to cause him to buckle and bow, he referred to the immense pressure that was exerted against his soul which caused him to do the unthinkable. But at the end of the day, it was his own decision. Let’s read:
Exodus 32: 21 And Moses said unto Aaron, what did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?
22 And Aaron said, Let not the anger of my lord wax hot: thou knowest the people, that they are set on mischief.
23 For they said unto me, make us gods, which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 320] The great leader summoned his guilty brother and sternly demanded “What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them?” Aaron endeavored to shield himself by relating the clamors of the people; that if he had not complied with their wishes, he would have been put to death.
In the not too distant future, the Bible again warns us that tremendous pressure to bow down to false gods, will be exerted, and this will be coming from all sides of the political and religious spectrums.
The pressure campaign is scheduled to begin with entreaty, peer pressure, financial pressure and the type of pressure that was exercised by the clergy in years gone by. Persons will be encouraged to make a deal, by exchanging their souls for some temporary gain, only if they will bow down.
As it was throughout history, the use of force will be the last resort after incentives and other sweeteners do not work. There will be tremendous pressure to bow down in order to retain your rights, and we can expect these pressures to be coming from unlikely sources.
The mark of the beast spoken of in Revelation is a pressure campaign to get the people of God to bow down to a false system of worship, and efforts will be made in the extreme, to starve individuals into compliance. But when these and other measures are exhausted, there will be only one more tool in the tool box, the use of brute force for this is the very last page of the playbook used by man’s mortal foe, through human agencies. Let’s read:
Revelation 13:11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spoke as a dragon.
12 And he exercises all the power of the first beast before him, and causes the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
16 And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads.
17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Then the servant of The Lord lays out in a graphic manner, what kinds of pressure and arm twisting we should expect from frenemies and foes alike. This is none other than a wakeup call for us to renew our commitment to serving and obeying God first. Let’s read:
[G.C. pages 607>608] As the movement for Sunday enforcement becomes more bold, and decided, the law will be invoked against commandment-keepers. They’ll be threatened with fines and imprisonment and some will be offered positions of influence, and other rewards and advantages, as inducements to renounce their faith.
Blinded by Satan, the parent will exercise harshness and severity toward the believing child; the master or mistress will oppress the commandment-keeping servant. Affection will be alienated; children will be disinherited, and driven from home.
As the defenders of truth refuse to honor the Sunday-sabbath, some of them will be thrust into prison, some will be exiled, some will be treated as slaves. To human wisdom, all this now seems impossible; But, as the restraining Spirit of God shall be withdrawn from men, and they shall be under the control of Satan, who hates the divine precepts, there will be strange developments. The heart can be very cruel when God's fear and love are removed.
As the storm approaches, a large class who have professed faith in the third angel's message, but have not been sanctified through obedience to the truth, abandon their position, and join the ranks of the opposition. Men of talent and pleasing address, who once rejoiced in the truth, employ their powers to deceive and mislead souls. They become the most bitter enemies of their former brethren.
The following steps are therefore necessary for you to know how not to bow, and they are outlined in a simple format, so that any and every one can make all the necessary preparations, in cooperation with the Holy Ghost.
[1] Let your decision to follow Jesus all the way be a well thought out decision, not based on emotions, feelings, or peer pressure from your fellow church members. Weigh the pros and cons very carefully, and then, take a firm stand for Christ.
Pay very close attention to the following passages, for the words were spoken by Christ in the context of what it means to be a disciple. Try your best not to get hung up on the radical nature of the passage, for it is indeed what is needed, if individuals are to learn how not to bow. Let’s read:
Luke 14: 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them,
26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.
27 And whosoever dosn’t bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sits not down first and counts the cost, whether he has sufficient to finish it?
29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and isn’t able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
30 Saying, this man began to build and was not able to finish.
31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sits not down first, and consults whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?
32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an ambassage, and desires conditions of peace.
33 So likewise, whoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
[2] Try by the grace of God to be a person of your word, meaning that a yes is a yes, and a no is a hell no. Sitting on the fence, indecisions, lukewarmness, and not being able to make up your mind would not help anyone to stand firm, in refusing to bow.
With some Christians you do not know if they are coming or going, for in some cases, when feathers are ruffled, or toes are stepped on, some become discouraged or angry because of the nature of the Christian experience.
As a Christian you will have some sunny days, and some rainy days. You will have some mountaintop experiences, and you will have valley experiences. The Christian’s life is not all a bed of roses, for roses do have some thorns in them. When a baptismal vow is taken, ask God to give you the strength, courage, fortitude, and endurance to stay the course with Christ until the very end, even if at times there may be ups and downs, with some bruises. Let’s read:
Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
Revelation 3: 14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Psalms 15:1 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill?
4….. “He that swears to his own hurt, and changes not.”
[3] Be humble enough to ask God for strength, and grace to run the Christian race, for it is not for the swiftest, or the strongest, but for those who learn the critically important lesson, that it’s not by might, nor by power, but by God’s Holy Spirit.
The Christian wins his battles on his knees, so if you are not in the habit of praying for strength to face the challenges and vicissitudes of life, it will just be a matter of time before the heat of the furnace will cause you to bow down, in some form or fashion.
Check out the following reading very carefully, for it echoes the statements made in Ephesians 6, where Paul declares that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world. Let’s read:
[Patriarchs & Prophets pp 717] If one comes to lose sight of his entire dependence on God, and to trust to his own strength, he is sure to fall. Man is contending with foes who are stronger than he. It is impossible for us in our own strength to maintain the conflict; The tenor of the Bible is to inculcate distrust of human power and to encourage trust in divine power.
The pressure to bow down is scheduled to increase, and the arm twisting will be ratcheted up as the day for Christ’s coming draws near. Let us therefore be firm and immoveable in our convictions of truth and duty trusting in God for everything we need to make it to the finish line.
We therefore end with a passage of Scripture that would encourage us to ask God for help in times of need, for there is not a single person who has ever lived, who refused the pressure to bow down, on their own. That’s why Christ says emphatically that without me you can do nothing. Let’s read:
Isaiah 40: 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increases strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall.
31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
God Bless!