When Monotheism Matters

When Monotheism Matters Exodus 20:3 Context • God thunders His ten words/commands from Sinai. • They teach, constrain, liberate, and prepare. • The First Command: 1. First as a foundation for life 2. Affirms God’s existence; the need to worship Him alone 3. Prohibits the presence of any other ultimate god/ruler 4. Most frequently ignored – 5.5 billion adherents of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Spiritism, Atheism, Mormonism, Confucianism, and Taoism (2/3 of the world) • Why does Monotheism Matter? When Life Takes a New Direction • Deuteronomy 4:35-40 (pg. 149) • Words given approximately 40 years after Exodus 20 • Words delivered to the second generation of redeemed Israel. • God was pushing them out of the known and comfortable into an unknown era of war, uncertainty, and displacement. • God was pushing them into a humanly impossible predicament. When Worshipping the LORD • 1 Kings 8:54-61 (pg. 289) • After 7 years of intense construction, King Solomon completed the first Temple of the LORD. • Upon assembly, sacrifice, and prayer, the LORD’s glory filled the Temple (8-10; see also 2 Chronicles 7:1-3). • Monotheism demands total devotion (60-61) When Danger Strikes • Isaiah 37:8-38 (pg. 597-8) • Assyria was a massive empire of unprecedented success that captured all the fertile crescent. • At the height of their power, Sennacherib invaded Judah. • God deliberately isolated Judah (Isaiah 30). • God allowed Assyria to get shockingly close. • See 37:18-20 • “The angel of the LORD went out and struck down 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians” (v. 36) When Sin Overwhelms • Nehemiah 9 (pg. 405) • In Nehemiah 8, the Law is read and the people begin to weep over their disobedience. • The people feel completely overwhelmed by the sins of their fathers. • See especially verses 6, 32, and 38 When Seeking God’s Comfort • • • • • Isaiah 43 (pg. 603-4) Isaiah is preparing the people for coming judgment “Fear not” (v. 5) … but how? See v. 11-12 See also Psalm 62 When Contemplating Eternity • Revelation 15:1-4 • All creation will worship God alone (see Psalm 138:4) • All mankind will bow their knee to Christ for the glory of God alone (Philippians 2:11) • I beg you, plead for God’s mercy while His mercy is still available (Hebrews 9:27-28)