do not worship idols
You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Deuteronomy 5:8-10
The second rule is not to make any image of God as a statue or picture for one to worship. We must not worship ourselves, the people around us, animals, education, worldly careers, money, worldly possessions. When a person is led to follow any rules that are contrary to the word of God, it is idolatry.
For since you saw no form on the day the Lord spoke to you at Horeb from the midst of the fire, be very careful that you do not become corrupt and make for yourselves an idol in the form of any form, the likeness of male or female, the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies under the sky, the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, or the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth. When you look up to the heavens and see the sun, the moon, and the stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down to them and serve them, which the Lord your God has given to all the nations under the whole heaven. But the Lord took you and brought you out of the furnace, out of Egypt, to be his people of inheritance, as it is this day.
Deuteronomy 4:15-20
The result of breaking God's laws is death - separation from God and suffering, but the gift - free and for all from God is forgiveness and eternal life by recognizing that He is Perfect and we are evil. By recognizing that we accept the help He offers us and asking for forgiveness for our crimes on the basis of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. After receiving forgiveness, we commit to obeying the Creator by learning and respecting His laws in the new life He offers us.
In Israel, serious crimes were publicly tried by responsible people in society - judges, and people were publicly punished. This was to prevent the entire society of Israel from falling into rebellion and thus under God's judgment. God is Holy - Perfect and dwells in a huge fire of love. Everything in His presence is revealed and evil will burn in His fire.
For us, this means respect for the authorities in individual states, which are entrusted by God with this judgment and punishment. It is up to individual governments and subsequently judges to respect God's laws.
God does not want criminals to perish, but to enter into themselves, to correct themselves and to be able to live through the grace of God. The well-known story of the woman who was caught in adultery, they wanted to stone her according to God's law and brought her to Jesus. He said: "Let him who is without sin be the first to throw a stone." When she was left alone and everyone left, he said: "Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you, go and sin no more." God presents himself to us as righteous, who rewards good and punishes evil, but is gracious to the broken. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. God did not abolish the law, he came to fulfill it through the Lord Jesus.
„11 Say to them, ‘As I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways!’
Ezekiel 33
23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God's grace is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6