Don't Covet

Introduction

Exposition

Original Setting/OT Reflections

This commandment gives us insight into the four preceding it. All though sin often manifest in external action it begins with inner desire. To covet is to sinfully want something that doesn’t belong to you. It is often a breaking of the tenth commandment that leads to breaking commandments five through nine.

King David’s coveting of Bathsheba led to the breaking of the eighth commandment against adultery and the sixth commandment against murder.

King Ahab’s coveting of Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kgs 21) led to him endorsing the violating of the ninth commandment against lying and the sixth commandment against murder.

The Merchants in the days of Amos coveted wealth which led them to break the sabbath (4th), steal (8th), and lie (9th). (Amos 8:4-6)

In the context of Israel, God within His covenantal arrangement with them had promised to provide them with needs and extra blessings. To covet someone else's stuff was not only against them, but also against the God who provides and gives.

Jesus’s Fulfillment

Jesus rather than coveting what didn’t belong to Him surrendered what dead belong to Him (Phil 2:5-8).

Jesus didn’t covet what the Devil offered (Matt 4:4-10)

Jesus gave Himself completely to the will of His Father (Lk 9:51; Matt 26:39)

Jesus set His gaze on heavenly things (Jn 18:36).

Jesus for His obedience has obtained a name above all others (Phil 2:9-11).

Our Requirement

We break this command because we aren’t content with the gifts God has given us. In so doing we essentially smack God in the face and throw a tantrum like a child that doesn’t get something they want. In coveting we follow the patterns of the world (Rom 12:1-2).

Contentment that we need in order to obey this command can only be found in God. As Augustine so eloquently prays in his Confessions, “To praise you is the desire of man, a little piece of your creation. You stir man to take pleasure in praising you, because you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Indeed, contentment must be characteristic of the life of every Christian (Phil 4:11-13).

We must beyond temporary and earthy things to eternal and heavenly things (Matt 6:19-21; 2 Cor 4:16-5:5)

Christ is all satisfying to the thirsty and hungry soul (John 6:35).

If we seek satisfaction in Christ and His will He will be enough (John 4:31-34).

Application

Don’t covet by being content

Don’t covet by looking upward

Don’t covet by trusting Christ

Conclusion