Day 23

The Ten Commandments

Read: Exodus 20-22

The introduction to the Ten Commandments is very important. God begins by saying what he has graciously done for the children of Israel. He has rescued them from slavery. The commandments are to be their response to his gracious initiative. The old covenant was a covenant of grace.

The first commandments deal with our relationship to God and those that follow with our relationship to our fellow human beings. The great commandment is love, but love expresses itself in specific ways. For instance, if we really love God, we will have the deepest respect for his name and his day. And if we really love people, we will not hurt them by stealing from them their lives, their spouses, or their possessions.

The commandments in the chapters that follow further define what is involved in the Ten Commandments and point out the penalties that enforce these laws. There are so many ways we can hurt our fellow human beings. God wants us to realize that hurtful actions carry with them very negative consequences. Because there is a God in heaven, sin does not pay. Notice how again and again God’s Word says “when” this is done, then this will be the result; “if” we do this, then this will be the penalty. This is not legalism; it is the protection of the rights of our fellow human beings.

PRAYER
Father, we praise you for our deliverance through Christ. Help us to show our love by obedience. Amen.