Exodus 20:6 - The Most Important Tablets of All.
Exodus 20:6 (NLT) But I lavish unfailing
love for a thousand generations on those who love
me and obey my commands.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Tablets are so much a part of our lives
today. We read our emails on them, follow social
media on them, and watch movies on them. Well, God
had the original tablets - and a tech company
didnt make them. He gave them to Moses, engraved
with His words by His very finger. We call them
the Ten Commandments.
At little more than three hundred words
in English, the Ten Commandments form the
foundation of the legal system and are at the heart of
Western civilization. Most people acknowledge that
the Ten Commandments are important and are true,
but very few people know the Ten Commandments.
A recent survey revealed that only 14
percent of Americans could name the Ten
Commandments. If you can remember details like the names
of the Beatles or all the kids in the Brady
Bunch, we could manage to memorize the Ten
Commandments.
But we need to do more than memorize
these commandments; we need to internalize them
because theyre not obsolete. Theyre absolute.
In fact, Psalm 1 tells us, Oh, the
joys of those who do not follow the advice of the
wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in
with mockers. But they delight in the law of the
Lord, meditating on it day and night (verses
1"2 NLT).
In other words, if you keep Gods
commandments, you will be a happy person. The commandments
are not like the bars of a prison to keep us
inside. Theyre like walls of protection to keep
evil out of our lives.
God has given us the solution to all our
problems in the Scriptures, and theyre broken out
for us in the Ten Commandments.
He has given them to us for our own good,
so we can go from hopelessness to happiness.
[Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries;
https://www.harvestdaily.com]
INTRODUCTION
The law does not save sinners (Gal. 2:21;
3:21); it reveals God's holiness and man's need for
salvation (Rom. 3:20). It is a mirror that shows us
how dirty we are (James 1:22-2), but it does not
provide the cleansing we need. Only Christ can do
that.
Under the old covenant, God's law was
written on tables of stone (Exod. 24:12), but under
the new covenant, God writes His word on our
hearts (2 Cor. 3:1-3). As you meditate on the Word,
the Spirit makes it a part of your inner being,
and you become more like the Lord Jesus Christ
(2 Cor. 3:18). The Holy Spirit enables us to
fulfill the righteous demands of God's law (Rom.
8:1-4).
The first four commandments deal with our
relationship with God, while the last six deal with our
relationship with others. If we love God and obey Him, we
will also love others and serve them. (See Matt.
22:34-40.)
Some people obey God because of fear (vv.
18-21). Others obey only because they want His
blessing. The highest motive for obedience is our love
for the Lord. [Chapter by Chapter Bible
Commentary by Warren Wiersbe]
The commandments list what our priorities
should be:
* The first four commandments (1-4)
indicate our first priority is to God.
* The fifth commandment (5) indicates
that our next priority is to our
families.
* The next four commandments (6-9)
indicate our next priority is to others.
* The last commandment (10) indicates our
last priority is for self. [2005 GC
Session]
COMMENTARY
Are the Ten Commandments outmoded
expectations or divine demands?
People make a serious error when they
speak about "breaking the Ten Commandments."
History amply displays the fact that people persist
in breaking themselves on the Ten Commandments.
They represent God's absolute and unchanging
standard despite any arguments over their
interpretation and application.
The title "Ten Commandments" comes from
Moses (Ex. 34:28). The emphasis on God Himself
speaking and writing these words makes unacceptable
any theories of Israel's borrowing legal
patterns or concepts from surrounding nations.
The Ten Commandments may be grouped into
two broad categories: the vertical - humanity's
relationship to God (Ex. 20:2-11); and the horizontal -
humanity's relationship to the community (Ex.
20:12-17). By these Ten Commandments, true theology and
true worship, the name of God, family honor,
life, marriage, property, truth, and virtue are
well protected. [MacArthur Daily Bible 2003]
God has given us His holy precepts,
because He loves mankind. To shield us from the
results of transgression, He reveals the principles
of righteousness... God desires us to be happy,
and He gave us the precepts of the law that in
obeying them we might have joy...
Since the law of the Lord is
perfect, every variation from it must be evil. Those
who disobey the commandments of God, and teach
others to do so, are condemned by Christ. The
Saviours life of obedience maintained the claims of
the law; it proved that the law could be kept in
humanity, and showed the excellence of character that
obedience would develop. All who obey as He did are
likewise declaring that the law is holy, and just,
and good. Romans 7:12. On the other hand, all
who break Gods commandments are sustaining
Satans claim that the law is unjust, and cannot be
obeyed. Thus they second the deceptions of the great
adversary, and cast dishonor upon God. They are the
children of the wicked one, who was the first rebel
against Gods law. To admit them into heaven would
again bring in the elements of discord and
rebellion, and imperil the well-being of the universe.
No man who willfully disregards one principle
of the law shall enter the kingdom of heaven.
DA308-309 [Remnant SB]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Psalm 1:1-3 - The Blessing of Gods Word.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220210-0919.html
Matthew 5:17, 18 - Did Jesus Do Away With
The Law Or Fulfill It?
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2005/20051028-0906.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
