“Whoever sacrifices to any god, other than the LORD alone, shall be devoted to destruction.
It must be remembered here that these instructions are for those who have entered into a covenant with God (YHWH) and are living in His community under His favor. They have committed to do all that YHWH says and now He is giving His people commandments that will lead to life and not death. To commit oneself to YHWH and then worship another god is deadly and He wants this made clear to those He has chosen and those who have chosen to submit to Him. He never forces Himself upon anyone; yet, He makes it perfectly clear that if you choose Him and submit to Him, He must be the only one you worship. Period. The first commandment is reiterated here.
YHWH is jealous for His chosen blessed ones because He knows that any other worship alternative is deadly for the worshiper. Those who worship other “gods” will naturally emulate them and take on their characteristics. He knows the deadly effects of such emulation and He graciously condemns it.
A song by David Crowder sums it up well….
You are the only One I need
I bow all of me at Your feet
I worship You alone
You have given me more than
I could ever have wanted and
I want to give you my heart and my soul
You alone are Father and
You alone are good
You alone are Savior and
You alone are God
Ventanas 