10 Commandments

Introduction

Biblical Timeline

Israelites were going to and in Egypt.

They were brought into Egypt through Joseph to be saved from the famine. They were later put into slavery by the Egyptians.

God would deliver them from slavery and bring them into the promise land through Moses. Within this time, God establishes his covenant relationship with the nation of Israel, establish the Law and Sacrifices, the tabernacle, and guides them to the promise land.

Moses

After the Exodus, Moses and the Israelites returned to Mt. Sinai.

The Encounter with God (Exodus 19)

Chapters 19-20 is a literary unit because there is a clear connection between the events of ch 19 and the reaction of the Israelites in 20:18-21

This encounter is foundational to the Covenant relationship between God and the Israelites.

Here at Mount Sinai, God is going to establish the Covenant relationship with it’s stipulations.

God meets with the Israelites.

God’s Message (19:3-6)

Exodus 19:3–6 (ESV)

3 while Moses went up to God. The Lord called to him out of the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”

God’s presence on the Mountain (19:16-20)

Exodus 19:16–20 (ESV)

16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. 18 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. 20 The Lord came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the Lord called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up.

This incredible experience is the context around the giving of the 10 Commandments.

The rest of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers is about establishing this covenant relationship between God and the Israelite people with the stipulations of the covenant.

The Commandments from God (Ex. 20:1–17)

10 Commandments: Significant

These commandments are the Tablets of the Testimony given by God.

Exodus 31:18 (ESV)

18 And he gave to Moses, when he had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, the two tablets of the testimony, tablets of stone, written with the finger of God.

2 tablets of the Testimony - testimony object n., the written copy on stone of the regulations of the covenant given to Moses, functioning as a witness between the parties; in some contexts this can refer to the tablets and their container or sometimes to the container only (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“Written with the finger of God: see Exodus 8:19, where the same metaphor is used of the plagues of Egypt, and Luke 11:20, where it is used of Christ’s ministry. This is a strong statement of divine source and causation, but need not be pressed in a strictly literalistic sense.” (Cole, R. Alan. Exodus: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 2. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.)

The importance of these commandments to the Israelite people and this covenant relationship with God.

Exodus 34:27–28 (ESV)

27 And the Lord said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 So he was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

These 10 Commandments are specifically restated in the book of Deuteronomy. (Deut. 5:6–21)

“The Ten Commandments (in 34:28 “Ten Commandments” is lit., “Ten Words”), the hub of all of Israel’s religious and civil laws, has two parts. The first four commandments pertain to the relationship of the Israelites with God, and the other six deal with social relationships within the covenant community.” (Hannah, John D. “Exodus.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. 139. Print.)

10 Commandments: Relationships

Israelites covenant relationship with God (Command 1-4; vs. 1-11)

Commit to God alone (1-3)

Exodus 20:1–3 (ESV)

1 And God spoke all these words, saying, 2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 “You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall have no other gods before Me."(Or besides Me)

“The first commandment serves as a “first principle” (Capetz, “First Commandment,” 174), anchoring the remaining commandments to the unique relationship between Yahweh and His chosen people. Jewish interpreters understand that the phrase “I am Yahweh your God” has an implied imperatival force, and take it as the first commandment in itself.” (Beal, Matthew S. “Ten Commandments.” Ed. John D. Barry et al. The Lexham Bible Dictionary 2016: n. pag. Print.)

“Israel was to choose Yahweh to the exclusion of the myriad deities of the nations around them.” (Beal, Matthew S. “Ten Commandments.” Ed. John D. Barry et al. The Lexham Bible Dictionary 2016: n. pag. Print.)

No Idols (4-6)

Exodus 20:4–6 (ESV)

4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

“The use of images was important to ancient worshipers because they believed that the deity was present in the image. An image provided immediate access to the god. By banning the making of images, the Lord indicates that his presence will not be experienced in this way. Rather, as the rest of Exodus reveals, God will reside among the Israelites in the tabernacle.” (Alexander, T. Desmond. Exodus. Ed. John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2016. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

“This raises the question as to why such image-representation of the true God (even by human form) was forbidden. Perhaps the reason is that no likeness could possibly be adequate, and that each type of image would imprint its own misunderstandings. ... The localization and materialization of God was another danger inherent in idolatry. Even Israel in later days tended to believe that God’s presence was localized and contained in ark or temple; how much more so, if there had been an image? Finally, there would have been the danger of quasi-magical attempts to placate or control God through possession of some such localization of his presence, such as we can see in connection with the ark in 1 Samuel 4:3.” (Cole, R. Alan. Exodus: An Introduction and Commentary. Vol. 2. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1973. Print. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries.)

Honor the name of God (7)

Exodus 20:7 (ESV)

7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.

vain - vanity (worthlessness) n., the quality of being valueless or futile (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“This commandment thus forbids any careless, flippant, or crass use. Israel is forbidden from any use of the divine name that is less than fearful, reverent, thoughtful, and calculated.” (Beal, Matthew S. “Ten Commandments.” Ed. John D. Barry et al. The Lexham Bible Dictionary 2016: n. pag. Print.)

Sabbath Rest (8-11)

Exodus 20:8–11 (ESV)

8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.

“Israel’s Sabbath, in contrast, was positively motivated. Exodus bases the command on Yahweh’s own example of rest in Gen 2:2, while Deuteronomy views it as a commemoration of Israel’s deliverance from slavery.” (Beal, Matthew S. “Ten Commandments.” Ed. John D. Barry et al. The Lexham Bible Dictionary 2016: n. pag. Print.)

Deuteronomy 5:15 (ESV)

15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

Israelites relationship with others (Command 5-10; 12-17)

Parent/Child relationship (12)

Exodus 20:12 (ESV)

12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.

Honor - to respect (honor) v., to show esteem or honor towards. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“Expressed positively, this commandment highlights the special status of parents. To “honor” means more than “obey”; it is to prize highly. Within the tribal structure of ancient Israel, parents exercised an important role in ensuring a stable society.” (Alexander, T. Desmond. Exodus. Ed. John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2016. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

“‘honor your father and your mother …’ (Exod 20:12; Deut 5:16), was addressed to adults. It was a prescription requiring the able-bodied to provide care and support for the elderly and is to be understood within the context of the extended, rather than the nuclear, family.” (Collins, Raymond F. “Ten Commandments.” Ed. David Noel Freedman. The Anchor Yale Bible Dictionary 1992: 385. Print.)

The family structure in the Ancient near east were more broad than the nuclear family of out culture.

Social conduct (13-15)

Exodus 20:13–15 (ESV)

13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal.

Murder - tn The verb רָצַח (ratsakh) refers to the premeditated or accidental (Numbers 35) taking of the life of another human being; it includes any unauthorized killing (it is used for the punishment of a murderer, but that would not be included in the prohibition). This commandment teaches the sanctity of all human life.” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Adultery - to commit adultery v., to have sexual intercourse with other than a spouse, as a married or betrothed person. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.) Marriage and family seen in high value.

Steal - to steal v., to take without the owner’s consent. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.) This law protected the property of the Israelite citizen. (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Social accountability (16)

Exodus 20:16 (ESV)

16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

“The terminology used here associates this commandment with the judicial system. A fair trial depends on truthful witnesses.” (Alexander, T. Desmond. Exodus. Ed. John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2016. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

“The prohibition is against perjury. While the precise reference would be to legal proceedings, the law probably had a broader application to lying about other people in general (see Lev 5:1; Hos 4:2).” (Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible. Second Edition. Denmark: Thomas Nelson, 2019. Print.)

Personal contentment (17)

Exodus 20:17 (ESV)

17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

To covet v., to desire, wish, long for, or crave something to a fault or detrimentally, especially the property of another person. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“It speaks to obsession or a desire so strong that it compels someone to violate another person’s property.” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

“By addressing the issue of coveting, this commandment indicates that thoughts matter as much as actions.” (Alexander, T. Desmond. Exodus. Ed. John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2016. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

10 Commandments: Summary

“The Ten Commandments are broad principles, and they need to be read and understood as such. The Sinai covenant is based on the underlying assumption that the Israelites will fulfill the covenant obligations out of love for God. They do not keep the commandments in order to merit the love of God. God has already shown his love for them by delivering them from slavery in Egypt. This pattern is reflected in the words of Jesus: “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). God’s speech to the Israelites is a concise summary of what he wants them to be. It is like a constitution or mission statement, setting out what is expected of those who wish to serve the Lord as their sole God. Since the Ten Commandments are an integral component of the Sinai covenant, Christians, under the new covenant, are not directly required to keep them. This explains in part why Christians are no longer bound to keep the Sabbath (that is, the seventh day of the week) as a day of rest. Nevertheless, the Ten Commandments remain an authoritative guide to the kind of behavior that pleases God. We can learn much by pondering them.” (Alexander, T. Desmond. Exodus. Ed. John H. Walton. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books: A Division of Baker Publishing Group, 2016. Print. Teach the Text Commentary Series.)

Most of the 10 Commandments are required or restated for the Christian in the New Covenant. The only one that is not is the Sabbath observance.

The Reaction to God (Ex. 20:18–21)

Peoples reaction (18-19)

Exodus 20:18–19 (ESV)

18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off 19 and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.”

Physical reaction of fear from what they were seeing. (18)

Verbal response to the the presence of God. (19)

Moses’ instructions (20-21)

Exodus 20:20–21 (ESV)

20 Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” 21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was.

Test - to test v., to put to the test in order to ascertain the nature of something, including imperfections, faults, or other qualities. (The Lexham Analytical Lexicon of the Hebrew Bible 2017: n. pag. Print.)

“20:20 his fear will be before you Moses explains that the thunderous scene has a practical function: to move the people to reverence that inspires obedience. Like the storms of the eastern Mediterranean, Yahweh has the power to destroy, but also to give life. By following or not following the law, Israel chooses which side of this power it will experience.” (Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016. Print.)

Lessons from the 10 Commandments

Israelites - Commands and Truths

These 10 Commandments are a basis and understanding of the relationship they were to have with the One true God and others in the covenant community.

These 10 Commandments were the foundation for the rest of the Covenant Law, stipulations and worship of God in this covenant relationship.

This encounter was used by God to show who He was and who they were. He wanted them to know how powerful He is and His calling and love for them.

Christians - Commands and Truths

The 10 Commandments are applicable to the relationship between the church and God through Christ. 9 of the 10 Commandments are clearly reestablished as a part of the New Covenant relationship. (Except Sabbath observance).

Just as the 10 Commandments showed the Israelites of their unique relationship with God and how precious that relationship is to Him, and that they are in community together, we can see that we are in a unique relationship with God through Christ and in relationship with others in the church.

10 Commandments focus on our relationship with God and others.

Matthew 22:37–40 (ESV)

37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Benediction

2 Corinthians 13:11–14 (ESV)

11 Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints greet you. 14 (May) The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.