Why is “You shall have no other gods before me” in the Ten Commandments?

Answer

The Mosaic Law is based on the Ten Commandments, with the first commandment stating: “I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me” (Deuteronomy 5:6-7 NKJV). Here, we not only see God’s prohibition against idolatry but also His reasons for it. It was the Lord God who had the power to rescue His people from bondage in Egypt. He alone cared enough for them to select them as His own, and He alone delivered and protected them. Because of all this, He proclaims that He alone deserves to be worshipped and revered. No idol made of wood or stone is God. Idols are deaf, dumb, blind, and powerless «They have not known nor understood: for he hath shut their eyes, that they cannot see; and their hearts, that they cannot understand. », (Isaiah 44:18).

Paul’s letter to the Romans indicates that worshiping things in creation itself—not just their images—is displeasing to God «who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. », (Romans 1:25). Paul also cautions the Colossians against worshiping other supernatural beings: “Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize” «Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, », (Colossians 2:18a). Jesus expanded the definition of “other gods”

To include concepts beyond images, living beings, and other supernatural entities. In Matthew 6:24, He cautions against the worship of material possessions. “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” The Greek term mammonas, rendered here as “money,” does not refer to the currency in one’s possession. It symbolizes wealth or money personified (particularly wealth acquired through greed), the affection for which, in contemporary terms, is known as “materialism.” The perils of idolizing material possessions are vividly depicted in the account of the affluent young ruler (Matthew 19:16-26) who turned away from Christ because he could not part with his riches.

Samson (Judges 14–16), despite being consecrated to God as a Nazirite, worshipped a god much closer than the rich man was to his wealth. Samson’s god was himself, and his arrogance and self-worship led to his downfall. He was so self-assured in his own capabilities that he felt he no longer required God, and ultimately—defeated, blinded, and shamed—Samson appeared more preoccupied with vengeance and his eyesight than with God’s design for His chosen people. He served himself and his priorities, elevating them to the status of idols.

Those who venerate “other gods” will ultimately meet the same destiny as the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel, where they were challenged by the prophet Elijah to a contest. Elijah and the prophets of Baal presented sacrifices to their respective deities, but their offerings remained unburned. The deity who answered their supplications and consumed their sacrifice would be acknowledged as the sole true God of Israel. The prophets of Baal commenced early, beseeching Baal to ignite their offering. Meanwhile, Elijah mocked them. “Shout louder…Surely he is a god. Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Maybe he is asleep and needs to be awakened.”«And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is sleeping, and must be awakened. », (1 Kings 18:27). In the end, the prophets of Baal were all killed by the Israelites after the one true God demonstrated His power, burning up the offering, the water, the wood, the stones, and the soil at the altar.

Our God is never busy, asleep, traveling, or distracted. Paul describes the sovereignty of God: “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. And he is not served by human hands as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. …Therefore, since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone – an image made by man’s design and skill” (Acts 17:24-25, 29). God commands us not to serve other gods because there are no other gods except the ones we make ourselves. David describes what awaits the person who puts God ahead of all else: “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods” «Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, And respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies. », (Psalm 40:4).