Question: When God says not to have other gods BEFORE him (Exodus 20:3), is he saying we have to "clean up our act" before coming to Him, and is He suggesting that it is okay to have others AFTER accepting him?
In answer to the first part, the preceding verse (Vs 2 - I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.) says that He has already accepted us BEFORE he makes the demand regarding other gods.
In answer to the second part, "before" is not just before having God, but also includes having no gods "as-well-as" having God as our god.
'Before' is made up of two Hebrew words 'al (Strong's Concordance #5921) and paniym (Strong's Concordance #6440) and these encompass both before, during, and after!
Strong's Concordance # 5921. 'al, al; prop. the same as H5920 used as a prep. (in the sing. or plur., often with pref., or as conj. with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications (as follow):--above, according to (-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through (-out), to, touching, X with.
Strong's Concordance # 6440. paniym, paw-neem'; plur. (but always as sing.) of an unused noun [ paneh, paw-neh'; from H6437]; the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (lit. and fig.); also (with prep. pref.) as a prep. (before, etc.):-- + accept, a (be-) fore (-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), + beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront (-part), form (-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, X him (-self), + honourable, + impudent, + in, it, look [-eth] (-s), X me, + meet, X more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), X on, open, + out of, over against, the partial, person, + please, presence, prospect, was purposed, by reason, of, + regard, right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee, X them (-selves), through (+ -out), till, time (-s) past, (un-) to (-ward), + upon, upside (+ down), with (-in, + stand), X ye, X you.
Exodus 20:3
(NRSV) You shall have no other gods before me.
(NIV) "You shall have no other gods before me.
(KJV) Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
So God accepts us "as we are" and doesn't leave us there, but helps us grow by wanting us to remain true ONLY to Him.
--Lionel Hartley
Conditions to Answered Prayer
Conditions to Answered Prayer:
Faith and sincerity - James 1:5-7 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (6) But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (7) For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Confess and forsake sin - Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Persevere with God - Luke 18:1-8 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; (2) Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: (3) And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. (4) And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; (5) Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. (6) And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. (7) And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (8) I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Willingness to forgive others - Matthew 6:14,15 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: (15) But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Pray for others - Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you
Pray without selfishness or envy - James 4:3, 5 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. (5) Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
Pray according to God's will - Matthew 26:39, 42, 44 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (42) He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. (44) And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
Pray in Jesus' name - John 14:13,14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. (14) If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
-- Lionel Hartley © July 1967
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
