Exodus 20:22-26

Exodus 20:22-26

[22] And the LORD  said  unto Moses,  Thus thou shalt say  unto the children  of Israel,  Ye have seen  that I have talked  with you from heaven.  [23] Ye shall not make  with me gods  of silver,  neither shall ye make  unto you gods  of gold.  [24] An altar  of earth  thou shalt make  unto me, and shalt sacrifice  thereon thy burnt offerings,  and thy peace offerings,  thy sheep,  and thine oxen:  in all places  where I record  my name  I will come  unto thee, and I will bless  thee. [25] And if thou wilt make  me an altar  of stone,  thou shalt not build  it of hewn stone:  for if thou lift up  thy tool  upon it, thou hast polluted  it. [26] Neither shalt thou go up  by steps  unto mine altar,  that thy nakedness  be not discovered  thereon.

What does Exodus 20:22-26 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

God did not just condemn forms of worship that were inappropriate, but He instructed the Israelites positively how they were to worship Him.
"The point of the section is this: those who worship this holy God must preserve holiness in the way they worship-they worship where he permits, in the manner he prescribes, and with the blessings he promises." [1]
This pericope serves as an introduction to42judgments in Exodus 21:1 to Exodus 23:12. A similar section repeats the emphases of the introduction and forms a conclusion to the judgments ( Exodus 23:13-19). [2]
Prohibition of idolatry( Exodus 20:22-23)Proper forms of worship( Exodus 20:24-26)42judgments( Exodus 21:1 to Exodus 23:12)Prohibition of idolatry( Exodus 23:13)Proper forms of worship( Exodus 23:14-19)