Exodus and the Ten Commandments 11.14.07
Exodus and the Ten Commandments
Background
Moses has led the Israelites out of
The 10 Commandments defined the Israelites relationship with God and each other. They are a gift from God’s heart to ours...to help us take care of our hearts in our relationship with God and the people in our lives. The 10 Commandments are a covenant/agreement with God. The 10 Commandments are so important that they can be found in three places in the Bible and three places in the Book of Common Prayer.
By the time of Jesus, the law had been expanded into a list of 618 rules of conduct—it had become confusing and frustrating. A lawyer came to Jesus asking “which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus replied “Thou shalt love the Lord your God with all you heart, with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment and the second is like unto it…Thou shalt love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
The First Four Commandments are about our relationship with God
Exodus Chapter 20:1-17
1. No other Gods but me. God knew they were headed to a place where the people believed in many Gods. He did not want them to be seduced by these practices. Something is a god or object of worship when it becomes the source of our self-worth and ultimate consideration in our decision making—it dominates our lives. How do we make God first? Stop to worship, look for the things you have to be thankful for and recognize the competition for our attention.
2. You shall not make for yourself a false idol. It is possible to worship God in a false way. You can want him, but only on your terms. For example, you come to church, but spend the time thinking about your soccer game instead of listening to the sermon. It is hard to develop your faith and you have to put the time in to work at it.
3. You shall not misuse his name (use his name in vain). A name symbolizes a person…if we use someone’s name in an offensive way, we are being offensive to that person. The word vain is an old English word meaning empty, useless or for a worthless purpose. As Christians we must walk the talk. If you call yourself a Christian, you should behave like one.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy. God describes this commandment in more detail than any other. It must be important. You should set aside time to worship God and give your spiritual side attention. Make Sunday your day of rest—balance your work and your play.
Commandments 5-10 tell us about our relationship with others
5. Honor thy father and mother. Honor is the Hebrew word for heavy or weighty. Give importance to your parents by respecting them. Family is important because it is the place God created to shelter us from the stress and demands of everyday life. We are loves and accepted because we are part of the family, not because we are smart or popular. Family is also important because that is the place we learn to relate to others.
6. You shall not kill. This does not only mean literally killing someone. You can “kill” a person with your attitude, intention or words. For example, if a group of friends decides to turn on one of the group and shut them out, only for the reason of feeling better then that person.
7. You shall not commit adultery. Don’t have a romantic relationship with someone other than your spouse—you have committed/promised that person, don’t betray them.
8. Do not steal. Choose the path of honesty. Don’t withhold yourself from God or others. Do everything to the best of your ability. Do something to contribute to the well being of others.
9. Do not say false things against your neighbors. Do not start of spread rumors.
10. Do not covet. Do not worry or become obsessed about what other people have i.e. material goods, great looks, big houses, etc. This commandment has to do with inward desires vs. visible acts. Coveting is the secret sin and often will cause the breaking of the other commandments. Coveting is the opposite of contentment. Focus on what you have and what you are grateful for.
