Deuteronomy 15-16: Statues

Since Deuteronomy is, as its name suggests, a second telling of the Law, there isn't a whole lot of new information in this book to comment on.  Every now and then, though, there is a verse or two that includes an interesting statement, or a rephrasing of a statement already made in an earlier book.  The issue of idolatry obviously is a pressing one, especially in these early books of the Bible.  Idols have been condemned, as well as graven images of, in particular, animals.  Yet, some graven images have been not just allowed but ordered!  The cherubs holding the divine seat of God upon the Ark are obvious examples.  And, though it is an example from before Mosaic times, Jacob in Genesis 28 erected a stone monument to God to glorify Him.  The reason I mention all of this is because the very last verse of Deuteronomy 16 states, "Neither shalt thou make, nor set up to thyself a statue: which things the Lord thy God hateth."  This is a strongly worded verse and one that I think deserves a close look.  There is a divide within Christianity over the role or lack thereof that images should take in the practice of the Faith.  Catholicism obviously permits images, many denominations of Protestantism do not.  And though it appears that Deuteronomy 16:22 states resolutely that statues are forbidden, one must apply it within the greater context of the Bible before coming to that conclusion.  I've already mentioned the images that have been permitted, namely the graven cherubs of the Ark.  But there was also the brazen serpent.  Clearly the issue of statuary, or images, is not black and white.  Furthermore, we must look at what the law is directed.  Most of Deuteronomy, thus far, has been concerned with the Israelites not falling into the same errors as the pagans around them.  The Chanaanites, as we know, worshiped idols, material objects, animal statues, stone gods and so forth.  This is what must be condemned.  Not just a statue, but a statue that is worshiped as itself a god.  The English translation of Deuteronomy 16:22 uses the word "statue," but in Hebrew the word is matseba, which means "pillar," or "monument."  So the true meaning of the word is not just a visual representation of someone (which is really all a statue is), but instead a much more significant, solemn structure meant to play some sort of ceremonial role.  Statues as used by the Church today are not what is meant by "statue" in Deuteronomy 16:22.  To quote my commentary, "statues and pictures may be very instructive and commendable."  A statue of a saint, or Mary, or even Jesus, can be used to increase devotion to God, to remind us of those who walked in the way of the Lord, to instruct us in our Faith.  The furthest thing from our mind when gazing upon a statue is idolatry, as if the statue itself were a living god.  I bring this issue up because it is after all rather significant.  My commentary also says that "this subject is of such vast importance, the accusation of idolatry is of so black a nature, that it deserves to be accurately and frequently refuted."