By Douglas K. Wilson, Ph. D.
Professor of Biblical Studies, University of Mobile
GOD’S COMMANDS
Exodus 20:1–17
Scholars have identified 613 laws within the Torah. This week’s passage content was first called the Ten Commandments in Exodus 34:28, and this group was the first generation to witness God’s deliverance. The commands were given to the second adult generation almost 40 years later. They are listed in Deuteronomy 5, along with the Shema (Deut 6:4–5) immediately afterward.
Jesus pointed to these commandment verses when asked to identify the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29–30). He summarized the commandments related to God with Deuteronomy 6:4–5, and then pointed to Leviticus 19:18 to summarize the commands relating to others.
God’s Identity (1–2)
Four hundred years of bondage shaped the people’s worldview. Moses rightfully asked God to identify Himself at the burning bush (3:13), since Israelites dwelt in a polytheistic culture.
His Name — from Abraham to Moses, God was known by many descriptive names, including God Most High (Gen. 14:18), God who sees me (Gen. 16:13), God Almighty (Gen. 17:1) and Everlasting God (Gen. 21:33). When God revealed Himself to Moses, He declared His divine Name to be Yahweh (Ex. 6:2). The first statement in the Ten Commandments is His Name: “I am the LORD your God.”
His work — Yahweh delivered the Israelites from the land of Egypt. He punished Pharaoh and all the gods of Egypt (12:12). He protected them in the Passover. He parted the sea. He placed them at the base of a mountain where they could receive instructions that would identify them as His chosen people.
Relating to God (3–11)
No other gods — worshipping another god is a rejection of the authority of the one true God.
No idols — representations of creatures for the sake of worship is exchanging the truth of God for the lie, worshipping created things rather than the Creator (Rom. 1:25). In the plagues of Egypt, Yahweh demonstrated His power over the waters, the earth and the heavens. Israel was forbidden to worship such representations. To break this prohibition was to declare their hatred for God (“those who hate me”).
No misusing the divine Name — does this mean using it as a curse? Probably not. Israel was called to live as people of the Name. Deuteronomy 18:20 records a death sentence for falsely invoking the Name. Jeremiah indicted contemporary prophets-for-profit who spoke in the Name without receiving revelation from God (Jer. 23:16–17).
Work six days — to work diligently for six days and rest on the seventh was to imitate God’s work in creation. While we often highlight the Sabbath day in the commandment list, we regularly fail to honor the command. As such, it affects our relationship both with God and with other people.
Relating to Others (12–17)
Honor your parents. The child who does not honor father and mother will not likely learn to honor any authority. We never outlive this commandment. While Jesus was hanging on the cross, bearing our shame and our guilt, he demonstrated honor for his mother by entrusting her welfare to his closest friend.
No murder. No adultery. No stealing. No perjury. No coveting. Walking in covenant relationship with God is borne out in treatment of others. It is no wonder that Jesus summarized these commandments by this: “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31).
Our greatest takeaway from this is that we are absolutely dependent upon the grace of God. Only Jesus was capable to fulfill the commandments in our stead.
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