Exodus 20:22 - Meaning and Application

When Moses went into the thick darkness where God was, God spoke to him there, privately and without terror, saying all that follows through the end of chapter 23. Most of this is an explanation of the Ten Commandments, and Moses was to pass it on to the people first by word of mouth, and then in writing. The laws in these verses deal with God’s worship.

I. They are told again not to make images for worship (Exodus 20:22-23). God says, “You have seen that I spoke with you from heaven.” This shows his amazing kindness, far greater than if some great ruler spoke freely with a crowd of poor beggars. So they must not make gods of silver or gold.

This repeats the second commandment for two reasons. One reason may be that God knew their strong tendency toward idolatry, the worship of false gods, and how serious that sin is. He had given them ten commandments, but Moses is told to press especially the first two on them. They must not forget any of them, but they must be sure to remember these.

Another reason is that God had already spoken to them directly. He had shown enough of his presence among them, so they did not need images to represent him as if he were absent. They had heard his voice, but they had seen no form at all. Since he revealed himself only by a voice, that plainly taught them not to make any image of him. They were to keep fellowship with God through his word, and not by pictures or statues.

Two warnings against image worship are hinted here. First, it insults God, because God says, “You shall not make with me gods.” Even if people claim they are only using images to help them worship the true God, they are really setting up rivals against him, and he will not allow that. Second, it harms the worshiper. “You shall not make for yourselves gods,” because what seems to help devotion will actually corrupt it and deceive the worshiper.

At first, they seem to have made images of gold and silver, claiming that the richness of the metals honored God and the brightness helped them feel his glory. But even then, they were exchanging the truth of God for a lie. By that path, they were justly left to deeper delusion, until they worshiped images of wood or stone.

II. They are also told how to make altars for worship. This refers to special altars, such as those built in the wilderness before the tabernacle was set up, and later in times of special need for immediate use. Gideon, an Israelite judge, built such an altar (Judges 6:24). Manoah, Samson’s father, did so too (Judges 13:19), as did Samuel, the prophet and judge (1 Samuel 7:17), and many others.

Now that Israel had received this glorious revelation of God, many of them would likely feel stirred to offer sacrifice. Since sacrifice needs an altar, God gives them directions.

1. Their altars were to be very plain, made of earth or of uncut stone (Exodus 20:24-25). They were not even to shape the stones with tools, so they would not be tempted toward image-making. They were to pile the stones up just as they were, rough and unfinished. Since this rule was given before the ceremonial law, which later appointed more costly altars, it suggests that after that law’s time, simple worship should be accepted as the best outward form of religion. Gospel worship should not be carried out with outward show and splendor. The beauty of holiness needs no decoration, and no one helps Christ’s church by dressing it in the style of a prostitute, as the Roman Church does. An altar of earth is best.

2. Their altars were to be low, so they would not go up to them by steps (Exodus 20:26). The heathen foolishly thought that the higher the altar was, and the nearer it seemed to heaven, the more pleasing the sacrifice would be. They chose high places for that reason. God commands the opposite, to show that he looks at the lifting up of the heart, not the height of the sacrifice. The wilderness altars, and other temporary altars, were likely only for one animal at a time. But Solomon’s temple altar, which was much longer and wider so it could hold many sacrifices at once, was made ten cubits high. Its height fit its size, and steps were needed to reach it. Even then, the steps were no doubt arranged so no shame would be exposed, as this command warns against.

III. They are assured that God will kindly receive their worship wherever it is offered according to his will (Exodus 20:24). God says, “In every place where I cause my name to be remembered, I will come to you and bless you.” Later, God chose one special place for his name to be remembered. But that special place is no longer required under the gospel. Now people are encouraged to pray everywhere, and this promise returns in its full sense. Wherever God’s people meet in his name to worship him, he will be among them. He will honor them with his presence and reward them with his grace. He will come to them and bless them, and we need no more than that to make our worship gatherings truly beautiful.