What does God require in the second commandment?
That we in no wise represent God by images,1 nor worship him in any other way than he has commanded in his word.2
Are images then not at all to be made?
God neither can, nor may be represented by any means:3 but as to creatures; though they may be represented, yet God forbids to make, or have any resemblance of them, either in order to worship them or to serve God by them.4
4 Exod. 23:24, 25; Exod. 34:13, 14, 17; Num. 33:52; Deut. 7:5; Deut. 12:3; Deut. 16:21; 2 Kin. 18:3, 4.