Even when it was presented to the public it was encased in another receptacle. The Ark was not a generally available item to the public. Lastly, in response to dojilynn's comments about the Ark carvings. There were few options to create such an object other than creation of a sculpted, carved or cast item. Painting such as we know it was not common and it would have been very impractical in the lifestyle of the times. They did not have cameras or plastic injection molding machines. BudinAK, please consider the possible methods of creating a symbolic image in the time period in question. I will take a moment to address something that BudinAK has proposed that part of the legalism involved has to do with the method of creation and the definition of graven image. If you can honestly say that this is not the case and the item is just a pretty to give me momentary pleasure, then it is not a sin. If you intend to use, or are aware that the eventual usage of the item is going to be idolatry, then you are committing a sin by making or obtaining the item. Old Hebrew law is famous for discerning intent and that intent becoming the basis for sin rather than the actual action. If, however, you find that you would consciously place your granddaughter above your relationship with God, and those bears or figurines are your reminder that this is so, then they do in fact become idols and are in violation of this commandment. Unless you find a propensity to honor your granddaughter's teddy bears or figurines more than you do God, then they do not rise to the level of becoming an idol. Idolatry is the heart of the intent in this commandment as is apparent from the second and third sections. We had another thread on What is Worship? that has a great bearing on this topic as well. I think whether you made it, or some factory made it, does not make any difference.if you got it, I'd get rid of it. It says don't make a likeness of ANYTHING, whether it is in heaven, or earth. 'Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.' I know there are those who say 'yes.but we don't worship the 's just a reminder of what Jesus did.' Why? Because, I feel the Bible says very plainly 'don't make them', so therefore we had better not make 's simple. Could it pertain to a small statue of Jesus, like we see in homes, hanging from a cross? I don't really know.but I've decided to steer clear of them. It does not pertain to a picture, or painting, like a picture of Jesus hanging in your home. In the Bible they are talking about an idol that people made and then bowed down to, in worship.

What is graven? One dictionary source said it is a sculpted, or carved, image. God can do anything He wants though whether it makes sense to us or not. God would not give a commandment and then order his people to defy Him.

'Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim worked into them by a skilled craftsman. The tabernacle is described as having cherubim woven into the materials of the tent. 22 There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the Testimony, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites. 21 Place the cover on top of the ark and put in the ark the Testimony, which I will give you. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the cover. 20 The cherubim are to have their wings spread upward, overshadowing the cover with them. 19 Make one cherub on one end and the second cherub on the other make the cherubim of one piece with the cover, at the two ends.

18 And make two cherubim out of hammered gold at the ends of the cover. The Ark of the Covenant had cherubim carved on it.ġ7 'Make an atonement cover of pure gold-two and a half cubits long and a cubit and a half wide. I really don't think these types of things were what God had in mind when giving this commandment. Teddy bears? and little figurines? according to verse 4 Exodus What about images of angels that a lot of people have in their homes and sanctuaries? Does this mean that I'm supposed get rid of my granddaughter's

You shall not make any graven images