Can we know the truth about God?
. . . continued
Divine Confrontation in Ancient Egypt
The situation presented a direct confrontation between the God of enslaved Israel and the Egyptian Pharaoh, whose statue may have stood among those of Egypt’s numerous deities. At that time, Egypt dominated as the superpower of the inhabited Earth. Reliable history reveals the victor of this dramatic confrontation.
The gods of ancient Egypt were discredited, while the triumphant God of the Israelites led His people from Egypt’s house of slavery, across the Red Sea, to Mount Sinai in Arabia. There, He provided them with the Ten Commandments and hundreds of additional laws to govern them as a nation.
The Divine Declaration
At the beginning of these Ten Commandments, the divine Deliverer of the Israelites rightfully commanded His freed people, declaring:
“I am Jehovah your God, who have brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slaves. You must not have any other gods against my face. You must not make for yourself a carved image or a form like anything that is in the heavens above or that is on the earth underneath or that is in the waters under the earth.
You must not bow down to them nor be induced to serve them, because I Jehovah your God am a God exacting exclusive devotion, bringing punishment for the error of fathers upon sons, upon the third generation and upon the fourth generation, in the case of those who hate me; but exercising loving-kindness toward the thousandth generation in the case of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
—Exodus 20:1-6
The Incomparable God
The first two Commandments identify by name a God without equal, whose record surpasses that of any so-called “god,” including Satan the Devil, “the god of this system of things.” While Satan permits idolatrous images of himself and his associated “gods,” Jehovah strictly prohibits any image representing Him or any idolatrous image connected with His worship.
He transcends comparison with any created thing or man-made image. Through a prophet after Moses, He declared:
“I am Jehovah. That is my name, and to no one else shall I give my own glory, nor my praise to graven images.”
—Isaiah 42:8
The Requirement of Exclusive Devotion
This divine proclamation demands exclusive devotion to Jehovah as God and prohibits all man-made images receiving relative worship. Though His invisibility might lead some to think images are necessary for directing worship, such representations would be false, unable to capture His true nature.
These would only distract worshippers and diminish God in their estimation. The living and true God cannot be represented by any lifeless, created image. He stands apart from self-made gods, and His true worshippers must have ‘no other gods against His face’ as partners in genuine godship. His demand for exclusive devotion earns him the designation “a jealous God.”
The Universal Requirement
Whether welcomed or not, all His intelligent creatures must render exclusive devotion to Him if they desire eternal happiness. Consequently, today’s political powers might echo Pharaoh’s words and ask, “Who is Jehovah?” so that all should worship him.
Modern False Gods
Besides the State, mankind today worships numerous false gods. The majority unknowingly worship the symbolic “wild beast”—the political state that governs:
“. . . every tribe and people and tongue and nation”.
—Rev. 13:7
Physical science has become a “sacred cow” for many who believe human scientists can solve all problems. Additionally, there is widespread idolisation of theatrical stars, movie celebrities, and television performers. Sexual immorality continues to gain worshippers as moral standards decline.
The Danger of Materialism
In our era of unprecedented material comfort, with labour-saving devices and modern conveniences, people can be easily lured by material abundance. Economic pressures may drive individuals to focus primarily on gaining material possessions.
This materialistic mindset can consume one’s time and interest, leaving no room for spiritual matters. Though one might resist acknowledging it, materialism effectively becomes their god.
Ancient Wisdom on Material Balance
Agur, son of Jakeh, recognised these dangers and wisely prayed: “Two things I have asked of you. Do not withhold them from me before I die. Untruth and the lying word put far away from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Let me devour the food prescribed for me, that I may not become satisfied and I actually deny you and say: ‘Who is Jehovah?’ and that I may not come to poverty and I actually steal and assail the name of my God”
—Prov. 30:1, 7-9
The Impossibility of Serving Two Masters
As Jesus, who was wiser than Agur, stated:
“No one can slave for two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stick to the one and despise the other. You cannot slave for God and for Riches [Mammon].”
—Matt. 6:24
Modern Worship of Self
Today’s humanity is caught between nationalism and materialism, with many worshipping both. Even those claiming no belief in a personal god often worship something—be it nationalism, materialism, sports, sex, or their own desires. In doing so, they unknowingly worship Satan, “the god of this system of things.”
The True God, Jehovah
The one God who stands opposed to all false gods is Jehovah, whose name appears approximately seven thousand times in the Bible. As stated in:
“That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth”.
—Psalm 83:18
The Call to True Worship
Since 1919 CE, Jehovah’s Christian witnesses have publicised His name worldwide across 207 lands and island groups. They address the fundamental question: “Who is Jehovah, that all should worship him?” The authoritative answer comes from the Bible itself, which reveals His works, His dealings with mankind, and His supremacy over all other gods. It also shows how He will address the world’s current state and prove His worthiness of exclusive worship.
