12:1-4 Moses comes to the statutes he had to give in charge to Israel; and begins with such as relate to the worship of God. The Israelites are charged not to bring the rites and usages of idolaters into the worship of God; not under colour of making it better. We cannot serve God and mammon; nor worship the true God and idols; nor depend upon Christ Jesus and upon superstitious or self-righteous confidences.

3. And ye shall overthrow their altars—piles of turf or small stones.

and break their pillars—Before the art of sculpture was known, the statues of idols were only rude blocks of colored stones.