What are the reasons annexed to the second commandment?
The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship.
Proofs
- The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God’s sovereignty over us, (Psalm 45:2–3, 6)
- his propriety in us, (Psalm 45:11)
- and the zeal he hath to his own worship. (Exodus 34:13–14)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is God the Lord?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I am the Lord, (Leviticus 19:4)
Is that a reason why we should worship him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, (Psalm 95:5)
And is idolatry therefore an act of rebellion against him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We have rebelled by departing from thee, (Daniel 9:5)
Is he our God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I am the Lord your God, (Leviticus 26:13)
Is that also a reason why we should worship him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We will serve the Lord, for he is our God, (Joshua 24:18)
And cleave unto him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For hath a nation changed their gods, (Jeremiah 2:11)
And is it a breach of covenant if we do not?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They will turn unto other gods, and serve them, and break my covenant, (Deuteronomy 31:20)
Section 2
Is God a jealous God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The Lord thy God is a jealous God amongst you, (Deuteronomy 6:15)
Doth jealousy imply the height of anger and indignation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: God is jealous, the Lord revengeth, and is furious, (Nahum 1:2)
And doth nothing stir up the jealousy of God more than idolatry?
Answer: No.
Proof: They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God, they have provoked me to anger with their vanities, (Deuteronomy 32:21)
Section 3
Will God visit the iniquity of such?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Shall I not visit them for these things, (Jeremiah 5:9)
And that upon their children?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thou recompensest the iniquity of the fathers, into the bosom of their children, (Jeremiah 32:18)
And their children’s children?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: To the third and fourth generation, (Exodus 34:7)
But will his judgments fall most heavily on those who make their father’s sins their own?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Behold ye are risen up in your father’s stead, an increase of sinful men, to augment the anger of the Lord, (Numbers 32:14)
Section 4
Amidst the most general apostacy are there some that love God* and keep his commandments?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I have left me seven thousand in Israel that have not bowed to Baal, (1 Kings 19:18)
And may such expect to be exempted from desolating judgments when they come?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Go set a mark on the forehead of them that sigh and cry, (Ezekiel 9:4)
And to meet with peculiar tokens of the divine regard?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting, upon all them that fear him, (Psalm 103:17)