How do we know that God does not want us to make images for worship?

The prohibition against making graven images for worship is firmly rooted in God's self-revelation in Scripture. In Exodus 20:4-5, He commands His people not to create any likeness of Him as He is invisible and beyond human comprehension. This theme continues in Deuteronomy 4:15, where God reminds Israel that they saw no similitude when He spoke to them from the fire. By emphasizing His uniqueness and transcendence, God makes it clear that we are not to confine Him to any physical form that could misrepresent His holiness or create an avenue for idolatry.