The Truth Behind the First Commandment: Understanding the Divine Will

Many Christians often question the First Commandment of the God of Abraham, which states, "You shall have no other gods before me." This raises a pertinent question: why would a divine being command His followers to worship Him as the sole deity if He claims to be the only God? Does this commandment seem redundant or does it serve a deeper purpose?

Historically, humans have long conceived the idea of a multiplicity of gods. Each culture and nation had its own pantheon of deities. However, the Jewish people, particularly after the revelations to Abraham, Moses, and David, held onto a belief in the existence of only one true God, YHWH, which translates to "the one who is." This belief in monotheism was unique and deeply ingrained in their faith, as expressed in the Bible: "The gods of the heathens are naught" (Psalm 135:15).

The emphasis on monotheism was not only a rejection of multiple gods but also a counterpoint to the worship of false or symbolic deities. Many of these pagan gods were believed to be inventions of demonic powers or involved in practices such as child sacrifice and sacred prostitution, both of which are abhorrent. God’s will, as expressed in the commandments, is fundamentally for our happiness and well-being. He desires a relationship with us, not just obedience. The First Commandment is a call to recognize and worship one true God while rejecting the worship of false gods, for such worship can lead to suffering and deception.

The Evolution of the God Concept in the Old Testament

It is important to note that the concept of monotheism in the Old Testament did not occur immediately or uniformly. Initially, the idea of multiple gods was prevalent, and many gods were mentioned throughout the early parts of the Old Testament. It was only much later, particularly with the prophets of Isaiah and later, that monotheism began to be more prominently emphasized. However, this does not invalidate the foundational beliefs of the early Israelites, who held onto a unique and unwavering faith in the one true God.

Beyond Physical Deities: The Concept of Idolatry

The commandments, while addressing the worship of physical deities, also apply to spiritual and personal idols in our modern lives. Money, fame, drugs, and even pornography are all examples of things that can enslave the human spirit. We can form idols out of our own desires and egos, which can become our greatest opponents. There is a modern concept of self-idolatry, where we believe that we should strive to be our own deities, without a relationship with a higher power. This self-centered attitude can lead to arrogance and lies, as seen in the temptations of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The older concepts of idolatry, such as the cults of Moloch or Baal, were indeed harmful, but the modern forms of self-idolatry can be even more insidious and detrimental.

The First Commandment, therefore, is not just a command to worship one God but a call to recognize the supremacy of the one true God and to reject anything that might become an idol, be it material, emotional, or spiritual. Our devotion should be solely to the one who loves and cares for us, not to anything that may enslave our minds and hearts.