By Kyle Beshears
Instructor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Commanded
Exodus 20:1–17
The God of the Commandments (1–2)
Some people believe that the Ten Commandments are all about rules we must follow. This is absolutely true; God is Creator and is in the privileged position to wisely protect us against sin and folly. Others believe that the commandments are all about obedience and faithfulness. This also is true; God is the King whose name we bear and glorify when we faithfully obey His good and perfect will. Yet, verses 1–2 tell us that there is more to these commandments than first meets the eye.
Before giving Israel the Ten Commandments, God reminds them that He “brought [them] out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery” (v. 2). Why? So that Israel would be His people and He would be their God (Ex. 6:7). He desired a relationship with them. You see, the Ten Commandments also are about relationship. From the world’s perspective, there was nothing special about Israel. In fact, she was just a group of undesirables who were trapped in slavery. But God does not see things the way the world sees them. Where the world saw valueless tools, He saw “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:6). So, God redeemed them for relationship and because of that relationship Israel could obey God and act as a beacon of His light to the nations.
By His grace, God does the same thing with us. He does not call us out of slavery of sin just to fit us with arbitrary rules. He calls us out of sin and into righteousness, equipping us not only with His perfect commands but also the Holy Spirit. Through Him alone we are able to glorify God (Rom. 8:6–10).
Relating to God (3–11)
The first four commands deal with the relationship of God to His people. Throughout the Old Testament, God likened His relationship with Israel to the covenant of marriage (Isa. 54:5; Ezek. 16:8–14; Hos. 2:7). In marriage, the partnership must be exclusive. The wife cannot have two husbands (and vice versa), so Israel cannot invite other gods into their relationship. Therefore, the first command God gives is to resist the temptation of worshipping other so-called gods. The second command is like it — resist the temptation to worship idolatrous representations of those so-called gods. The third command is perhaps one of the most misunderstood. God is not merely commanding Israel to abstain from cursing with His name. God also reminds Israel that they bear His name, so they must act accordingly to fulfill Israel’s mission of being a light to the nations. The fourth command is a welcomed relief after centuries of brick-making day after day. We, too, must take time to remember that we are not what we produce; rather, we are what God has produced for us — adopted sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty (2 Cor. 6:18).
Relating to Society (12–17)
The remaining six commands deal with the relationships of people and are meant to allow marriages, families, communities and societies to flourish for God’s glory. These are not arbitrary “thou shalt not” rules. Behind every negative prohibition (“thou shalt not”) is a positive permission (“thou shalt”). The negative prohibition not to commit adultery is actually the positive permission to enjoy a loving, secure and flourishing relationship with your spouse. The negative prohibition not to covet is actually the positive permission to enjoy in contentment all the blessings that God has given you. Yet, lest we forget, we can only enjoy obedience to God through His own power. We can only obey through the power of the Holy Spirit out of Christ’s righteousness given to us by God through faith in Christ’s work.
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