GOD’S COMMANDS
Exodus 20:1–17
Children in Sunday School or Vacation Bible School may be challenged to memorize the Ten Commandments. While memorizing them is important, living out the Ten Commandments is a key to living an obedient life that honors God. The Ten Commandments reveal God’s character and standards for holy living.
God’s Identity (1–2)
God rescued His people from bondage and slavery in Egypt because of Pharaoh’s unwillingness to allow the Hebrews to leave Egypt for the purpose of worshipping God. God sent 10 plagues as a judgment on the Egyptian leaders and the people. Three months after leaving Egypt, the Hebrews came to Mount Sinai. At Mount Sinai, God gave Ten Commandments for His covenant people to obey. God’s words are not God’s 10 suggestions. The Ten Commandments are principles by which God’s people should guide their community and personal lives.
Which aspects of God’s character do we usually emphasize? Which ones do we tend to downplay?
Relating to God (3–11)
The Ten Commandments are not only an expression of how we should relate to God; they are also principles for successful living. The first commandment focuses on whom or what we worship. In our contemporary culture, we may not worship a physical image or being, but we may worship a god created through mental images. Every person in one sense is a worshipper. An individual may worship self, another person or even a possession. Possessions can possess a person. (I am thinking about large vehicles.) Years ago, author J.B. Phillips wrote a book with the title “Your God is Too Small.” As an example, Phillips claimed that some people view God as a beat cop ready with a nightstick to hit anyone in the head who may even think about having fun. The Ten Commandments did not come from a cosmic killjoy. God is a personal God, and we must have a personal relationship with Him to properly relate to Him. The principles God highlights here emphasize proper worship (no idols), proper respect for God’s name and observing the Sabbath as a day of rest and worship. God Himself established the principle of rest from work and the value of worship on a regular basis on the Sabbath day. Some groups, such as Seventh-day Adventists, say the Bible requires worship on Saturdays. I do not find this in Scripture. The largest number of believers worship on Sunday because Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week.
How are God’s commands about His name and His Sabbath related to the commands about idolatry?
Relating to Others (12–17)
The commandments detailed in verses 12 through 17 provide the foundation for the flourishing of human life in a society as well as the flourishing of the individual person. Human flourishing begins with proper respect — honoring parents. The sins mentioned in the verses describe the breakdown of human flourishing.
Paul commented on this concept in Ephesians 6:2–3 as a reminder that the command includes a promise of long life in the land.
In other words, a society that honors parents tends to last longer than a society that disrespects parents. It is a command to honor your parents. The other sins listed include murder, adultery, stealing, false testimony and coveting property, spouses, servants, animals or “anything that belongs to your neighbor.”
How can the way we honor others bring glory to God?
By Mark Rathel
Pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Florida
