22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites this: ‘You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

24 “‘Make an altar of earth for me and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, your sheep and goats and your cattle. Wherever I cause my name to be honored, I will come to you and bless you. 25 If you make an altar of stones for me, do not build it with dressed stones, for you will defile it if you use a tool on it. 26 And do not go up to my altar on steps, or your private parts may be exposed. Exodus 20:22-26

The Lord reiterated the second commandment.

He emphasized what was the Hebrews’ weakness: gods of silver and gold. It’s hard for us in a Western context to wonder how people could possibly worship cold and inanimate objects.

It’s not difficult at all. We do it all the time.

Whatever takes the place of God in your life is your god. We don’t like to admit it our gods are just as lifeless and inanimate as theirs was. And sometimes it’s not even something we see, but an action such as sports or education or power. More commonly it’s the things of this world.

All of us need to be challenged from time to time to make sure our priorities and allegiances are right.