Ten Commandments: Context

Introduction

H: Courthouses, schools, and hearts

Body

Context: From Adam to Abraham, Abraham to Egypt, Egypt to the Wilderness, and Wilderness to the Promised land.

Moses summoned the people to renew the covenant made with them at Sinai before they entered the promised land: 1

They were to hear, learn, and obey what statutes and rules were given to them: 1

Yahweh, after redeeming His people from slavery, made a formal covenant with them: 2-5

Tes

God initiated it

It was not made with the fathers

It was made with them

It comes from God

It was mediated by Moses

Yahweh is the self-existent creator of the Universe who has made a covenant with Israel, whom He freed from the bondage of slavery in Egypt: 6

Who He is

What He did

The ten commandments are a summary of the moral law God expects of all people in all places at all times. It was placed within the covenant at Sinai as guardian to regulate behavior of the nation, a teacher of their need for Jesus, and a rule of life for those who believe in God’s promised redemption.

Bridging the gap: We aren’t Israel. We aren’t under the Mosaic Covenant. Christ who obeyed the Law and was foreshadowed in the Old Covenant has come, lived, died, rose, ascended, and will return. The Ten Commandments couldn’t save Israel and they can’t save you. However, once we have been united to Christ God by His Spirit empowers us to live in grateful obedience to His moral law.

Main Points

Obey the Law because you are loved

Cleave to the Redeemer for your redemption and for the strength you need to obey the Law

Obey the Law because you love God

Memorize the Law of God

Obey the Law because you love neighbor

Teach the Law of God to your children

Conclusion

When we look at the Law and realize our own failure and inability to keep it, we must to turn to our only hope for forgiveness, namely Jesus Christ. He in His humanity worshiped God alone, didn’t fashion idols, didn’t take God’s name in vain, kept the Sabbath, honored his parents, didn’t murder, commit adultery, steal, lie, or covet. He shares His perfect record of righteousness with all who believe in Him. He shares His inheritance which is resurrection and eternal life on the New Earth. Therefore, we obey the Law not for life, but because we have life in Him. We obey not for redemption, but because we have been redeemed in Him. We obey the Law because, He who was sinless became sin for us. Christ loved the Law. Christ fulfilled the Law. Christ commanded the Law not for salvation but as the rule of life that flowed from the redemption He accomplishes in the life of a sinner. Jesus loved the Law and we should too.