Commandment 2: the reason for it: I am a jealous God
<p><b>Exodus 20:5-6 (NIV) </b>
<sup>5 </sup> You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,
<sup>6 </sup> but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments.</p>