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God had the Israelites make images for religious purposes.
Exodus 25:18 (God is telling Moses how to build the ark of the
covenant.) "Thou shalt also make two cherubims of beaten gold,
on the two sides of the oracle."
Numbers 21:8 (God tells Moses how to save those who are bitten
by the serpents he sent as punishment.) "And the Lord said to
him: Make a brazen serpent, and set it up for a sign: whosoever
being struck shall look on it, and live."