Can Collective Gratitude and Personal Glory Coexist in Faith?
In this article, you will learn how Deuteronomy 10:21 contradicts Isaiah 42:8, John 5:44, 1 Samuel 2:30, Exodus 20:4-5 and Matthew 6:1. Find the translations at the bottom of the page..
The Bible offers a multitude of teachings, yet some appear contradictory, especially regarding the nature of glorifying God. Deuteronomy 10:21 invites believers to find joy in God’s wonders, advocating for a community-oriented expression of collective gratitude. However, several other verses appear to challenge this notion, navigating the tension between community praise and individual faith.
Isaiah 42:8 underscores God’s exclusivity by stating that He will not share His glory with another. This emphasis on divine singularity implies that glory belongs solely to God, while Deuteronomy 10:21 underlines a communal experience of honoring God. Similarly, John 5:44 questions believers on the grounds of seeking honor from one another rather than from God, raising doubts about the authenticity of collective glorification.
Moreover, 1 Samuel 2:30 introduces a conditional perspective, stipulating that only those who honor God personally will receive honor in return. This contrasts with Deuteronomy’s broader, more unconditional call to glorious expression. Analogous to the idea that a team cannot claim victory if only individual members work towards different goals, this conditional honor challenges community-driven expressions.
Exodus 20:4-5 warns against idol-making and bowing down to them, further complicating collective worship. It suggests a danger of unintentionally attributing glory to objects rather than God. Finally, Matthew 6:1 cautions against performing good deeds for public attention, seemingly opposing the idea of communal displays of righteousness encouraged by Deuteronomy. This is akin to the difference between genuine teamwork and merely playing for the crowd.
Presented with these varying teachings, believers might ask: Is the path to divine glory through collective praise, or should one focus on personal integrity and exclusive devotion to God? Navigating this dynamic tension calls for a nuanced understanding of one's faith journey, recognizing the diverse aspects of serving and glorifying God.
| # | Verse | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Deuteronomy 10:21 | He [is] thy praise, and he [is] thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen. |
| 2. | Isaiah 42:8 | I [am] the LORD: that [is] my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images. |
| 3. | John 5:44 | How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that [cometh] from God only? |
| 4. | 1 Samuel 2:30 | Wherefore the LORD God of Israel saith, I said indeed [that] thy house, and the house of thy father, should walk before me for ever: but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed. |
| 5. | Exodus 20:4-5 | Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: |
| 6. | Matthew 6:1 | Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. [alms: or, righteousness] [of your: or, with your] |