Exodus 20:1-17
The LORD comes down to Mt. Sinai to talk with Moses in front of the people. This was so that the people will see and hear for themselves that Moses does converse with God and when Moses brings a message from God, the people can have confidence that it really is from God and Moses is not making it up.
After this, God calls Moses up to the mountain and gives the Ten Commandments.
It is interesting that what the Jews consider as the Ten Commandments differ from Christians. The Jews consider “I am the LORD your God” as the first commandment, while Christians consider it as a statement. Christians split “coveting” into wife and goods, while the Jews do not include coveting, since they view it as already having been covered by the commands against adultery and stealing.
I am the LORD your God (20:1-2). It is important to note that these laws come directly from God. It did not arise from needs, like human laws. It is also of note that God already identifies Israel as His, which means that this is not something that the people have to follow to have the LORD as God. Instead, it signifies how God expects His people to live their lives, because they are the people of God.
You shall have no other gods before me (20:3). There should not be anything that we put above God. It means to fear, love and trust in God above all things.
You shall not make for yourself an idol (20:4-6). We are not to make or possess any physical representation of God or have anything to worship instead of God.
You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the LORD (20:7). Treat God’s name with reverence and avoid using it casually or disrespectfully, or in a way that brings dishonor to His name. What we do in the name of God should bring honor to God.
Remember the sabbath day and keep it holy (20:8-11). People are not to live as if all time were their own to do with as they please. We should take time out from worldly pursuits to worship as a community of God.
Honor your father and mother (20:12). Respecting parents and family relationships.
You shall not kill (20:13). We are to value life and acknowledge that it is God who should decide life and death.
You shall not commit adultery (20:14). To take seriously the sanctity of a marriage relationship.
You shall not steal (20:15). Respecting others’ property, rights, time, etc.
You shall not bear false witness (20:16). This has roots in the justice system, since the testimony of a witness is an important part, and if lies and falsehoods are presented as truths, then it unravels the whole system.
You shall not covet (20:17). Coveting implies that one is not satisfied with what has been given to us. We are not to want others’ spouse or possessions. This is the one command that goes to the heart of a person. Not only that, but it is also a warning that our inner covetousness can lead to sinful action, as well as having negative impact on others.
We should be aware that these were the basis of how God expected His people to live. The application of it went much wider. For example, Exodus 23:4 – When you come upon your enemy’s ox or donkey going astray, you shall bring it back. This is an extrapolation of the command to not steal. One is to respect others’ property, so one should not only not steal it, but also respect the others’ ownership.
Are we still under the Ten Commandments? Not in the sense that we must keep them for us to secure salvation. However, since these are God’s expectations of how His people should live, we should follow them.
Jesus even internalized them for us. He taught that we are committing murder in our hearts by just wishing harm to others or calling them names. He taught that we are committing adultery just by looking at someone with lust. This makes it much harder to be in compliance than the original version of the Ten Commandments.
How then are we to live as people of God? Jesus has the answer. When asked which is the greatest commandment, He responded in Matthew 22:37-40: 37He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38This is the greatest and first commandment. 39And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Jesus is telling us that all God’s commandments can be summarized as love God and love others. This means showing love and acting out of love towards others – Even those who we do not like or those who we consider as enemies.
We know that this is not an easy thing to do, but God expects us to show love to all the people we encounter. We are not capable of doing this, but the Holy Spirit can provide us the love sufficient to do so. God is love and we, as His children, are to act out of love always.
(The above is a summary of the message shared by Shun Takano during our worship on August 18, 2024.)
Japanese Congregational Church 