the geneva catechism 4 (continued)
139. Why does He mention this at the beginning of His law? To remind us how much we are bound to obey His good pleasure, and what gratitude it should be on our part if we do the contrary.
140. And what does He require briefly in this first commandment? That we reserve for Him alone the honour that belongs to Him, and do not transfer it elsewhere.
141. What is the honour due Him? To adore Him alone, to call upon Him, to have our affiance in Him, and all similar things due to His majesty.
142. Why is it said "Before my face"? Since He who sees and knows all is the judge of the secret thoughts of men, it means that He wants to be worshiped as God, not only by outward confession, but also in pure trust and affection of heart.
143. Turn to the second Commandment. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, nor any form that is in heaven above, or on the earth beneath, or in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not do honour to them.
144. Does He entirely forbid us to make any image? No, but He forbids us to make any image with which to represent God, or to worship Him.
145. Why is it unlawful to represent God visibly? Because there is no resemblance between Him who is eternal Spirit and incomprehensible, and corporal, dead, corruptible and visible matter (Deut. 4:15; Isa. 40:7; Rom. 1:23; Acts 17:24-25).
146. You think then that it does dishonour to His majesty to represent Him in this way? Yes.
147. What kind of worship is here condemned? When we come before an image intending to pray, or bow our knee before