The portrayal of the Old Testament God appears to conflict with Moses’ commandments precisely because of the obvious discrepancy between the Divine commandments received and the actions performed under His directive.

Divine Paradox: Questioning Moses’ Actions Against Idolatry

The portrayal of the Old Testament God appears to conflict with Moses’ commandments precisely because of the obvious discrepancy between the Divine commandments received and the actions performed under His directive. In particular, one of the commandments given to Moses is stated as: “You shall not make for yourself an idol, any likeness of anything.” However, as noted in the discussion, Moses, already aware of this prohibition, organized the creation of several religious images – for example, he placed an image of cherubim at the Ark of the Covenant, and he also made a bronze serpent which he raised on a pole to serve as a type for the crucified. (This issue draws criticism, for at first glance such actions seem to contradict the explicit prohibition against making idols.)

This situation, where the very bearer of the law undertakes actions that on the surface appear to violate that law, creates a sense of contradiction: God, through Moses, gives a clearly expressed command against idolatry, while subsequent regulations and even pragmatic uses of images can be interpreted as departures from the original mandate.

Supporting citation(s):“Then I will also answer like this: For what reason, having received the commandments of the LORD, among which was this one – ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol, any likeness of anything’ – did Moses, already knowing this commandment of the LORD, nevertheless arrange for the image of cherubim at the Ark of the Covenant, make a bronze serpent, and raise it on a pole, to serve as a typification of the crucified Jesus?

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“Then I will also answer like this: For what reason, having received the commandments of the LORD, among which was this one – ‘You shall not make for yourself an idol, any likeness of anything’ – did Moses, already knowing this commandment of the LORD, nevertheless arrange for the image of cherubim at the Ark of the Covenant, make a bronze serpent, and raise it on a pole, to serve as a typification of the crucified Jesus?” (source: link txt)

Thus, the contradiction arises precisely because the divine revelation through Moses encompasses both strict prohibitions and subsequent actions that, in terms of mechanism and symbolism, may be perceived as violating those very prohibitions. This discrepancy prompts questions about the true meaning of the established commandments and how they should be interpreted in a historical and religious context.