Fridays with the Heidelberg

The general outline of the Heidelberg Catechism is broken down into three sections; the Apostles’ Creed, the Ten Commandments, and the Lord’s Prayer. We begin that second section with today’s reading;

Lord’s Day 34

92. Q. WHAT DOES THE LORD SAY IN HIS LAW?
A. [The Catechism quotes from Exodus 20:1-17, reciting the giving of the Ten Commandments]

93. Q. HOW ARE THESE COMMANDMENTS DIVIDED?
A. Into two tables. The first has four commandments, teaching us what our relation to God should be. The second has six commandments, teaching us what we owe our neighbor.

94. Q. WHAT DOES THE LORD REQUIRE IN THE FIRST COMMANDMENT?
A. That I, not wanting to endanger my very salvation, avoid and shun all idolatry, magic, superstitious rites, and prayer to saints or to other creatures. That I sincerely acknowledge the only true God, trust Him, alone, look to Him for every good thing humbly and patiently, love him, fear Him, and honor Him with all my heart. In short, that I give up anything rather than go against His will in any way.

95. Q. WHAT IS IDOLATRY?
A. Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word.

I find the definition of idolatry very helpful. It points to the reality that we cannot serve two masters. “Idolatry is having or inventing something in which one trusts in place of or alongside of the only true God, who has revealed Himself in His Word.” We might not be able to identify with the carved images or the Asherim that the Israelites struggled with, but “trusting in something in place of or alongside of the only true God” is part of our human nature. Calvin described our hearts as “idol factories.”

May today’s reading remind us of what the Lord requires and motivate us to acknowledge, trust, worship, fear, love, and honor Him alone.