THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Deuteronomy 5 In reviewing God's covenant with Israel, Moses returned to the Ten Commandments and explained to the next generation and their children what these commandments were and what they meant. This practice is valuable to follow—repeating the fundamental principles of life and faith. People often offer many explanations and excuses when they face obligations they prefer not to fulfill. When we have opportunities to speak with neighbors and family members, we should remind them in some way of what is truly important in the long run. Busy lives, under the pressure to produce, can cause people to forget their moral responsibilities to God, themselves, and others. God intended Moses to communicate the Ten Commandments to the Israelites in a way that they would listen with understanding, grasp the meaning, internalize the truth, and act on what the law said. It is possible to possess knowledge about God and truth without truly understanding what it means. Many conversations along those lines include comments like, "I think...," "I don't believe that way...," and "I am not comfortable with that." When we share God's truth with others, we need to ensure they understand that the authority behind what we say is not from our own ideas. Otherwise, it just leads to arguments where no one wins. One person's word against another is simply that, and arguments rarely lead to change or resolution. In fact, positions are often pushed further apart.
When a person's ear is opened to listen to what is said from the Word of God, there is hope that they might heed what is spoken. To hear with understanding means that the information provided is truly grasped and absorbed. That is why the public proclamation of the Gospel is essential. Private conversations are mainly for unbelievers, serving as an exchange of information between equals, with each person having equal rights as the other's opinion is considered most valid.
When a chosen servant proclaims the truth of God, they capture people's attention long enough to identify the problem that separates them from God. Then, they can offer solutions from various angles. In a public message, a speaker can then focus the audience's attention on the issue to exclude other opinions and motivate listeners to act on what has been said. Those who hear can understand what is spoken because they "have heard with the hearing of the ear."
The learning process isn't instant and can take a long time depending on a person's beliefs and whether they are open to being taught. After hearing a message from God, learning means considering how to act on that message. The meaning of the message is understood. The effects that acting on the message could have on one's life will take time to evaluate, depending on that person's perspective, background, and willingness to make changes.
Keeping and doing involve claiming the truth for oneself and putting it into action in a person's life. Following what has been taught, learned, and received with understanding is how a relationship with God is built and maintained. God intends for His people to be willing to form such a connection through reconciliation with Him and to live in that fellowship continually. In this way, a person's life can be effective for themselves and those who come after them. We pass on what we know and have personally experienced.
Not everyone worships a visible deity; some have idols made of gold, silver, wood, or stone, as certain religions do. Their idols are unseen but often hold more influence. Power, money, materialism, influence, and popularity are some of the idols that drive their lives. Anything that claims to be the central focus of my life is the "god" in my life. The Lord God should have the first place in my heart and deserves my devotion, attention, and allegiance. I must remain loyal to Him regardless of the consequences. Each day, I need to prioritize His interests in all my activities. Love for Him motivates my life, and when I fail Him, I must confess my sin and turn away from it. Thankfully, He has promised to forgive me.
No other gods—neither self nor pleasure, fame nor money—can claim first place in my life. The Eternal God is the One and Only Supreme Being in the universe, and my gracious Lord is Love, Life, and Light. Images created by man are only illusions. The Living God should never be portrayed thus. Any attempt by people to make God ordinary must be rejected—“God is greatly to be praised.” The name of the Lord is like a great high tower where the righteous can run to and be safe. Take that name in vain, and to your own great sorrow, you will be held guilty for spurning His grace.
God is not interested in me having His photograph and hanging it on a wall alongside other ancient people or family members who have lived and died. Displaying a likeness of Him, whether made by someone else or one I might think resembles Him, in a frame would be demeaning. It would be like diminishing Him to a merely human perspective. Attempting to contain an infinite Person who "inhabits eternity" and to whom "the earth is His footstool" is truly an insult to Him.
Those who refuse to be photographed or have pictures painted of them are, to some degree, elevating themselves instead of recognizing who they truly are. Our God is the Living God who lives His life in and through us. He is the essential part of all we are and do. He does not allow us to place Him in a humiliating spot alongside other mementos of life that we collect.
Our speech should always be "be with grace, seasoned with salt." What men call "salty language" should not come from the lips of God's people. Such speech has no redeeming qualities. It goes against God's intent for our voices and words to be used in that way. Praise God with words and songs that glorify Him. Worship involves words that express the thoughts of our hearts in ways that honor God.
There are several ways we can honor Him. God made a covenant with the people of Israel, in which the last day of the week became the Sabbath. That day was set apart for rest and fellowship with God. It signified the end of creation at the beginning and also marked the conclusion of God's agreement with Israel. God established the last day of the week as a covenant between Israel and Himself. They were to remember their deliverance by power and blood, and the Sabbath serves as a reminder of God’s mighty hand and arm.
To those of us who live during the era of the New Covenant (Testament), the first day of the week is called the Lord's Day. The significance of this day begins with the resurrection of Christ, an event that shifted everything from being merely historical to actively present in our lives. "Because He lives, we live also." The first day of the week is a day of resurrection and remembrance, during which we reflect on Christ and publicly proclaim His death. It is also a day of responsibility when we offer our financial gifts to God. Additionally, the first day of the week is a day of review when God's word has ministered to His people, and a day of revelation, as when John received prophetic insights into the future.
Parents have a unique role that no one else can fulfill; they are responsible for training and guiding their children. Dishonoring, ignoring, or refusing to submit your will to them and their authority can shorten your life because you refuse to yield. When a person is young, we are told, "Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Parental authority is the same worldwide because children's survival depends on the provisions made for them by fathers and mothers. As years pass, adult children are called upon to "honor thy father and mother." The influence, values, and moral and spiritual guidance of parents all contribute to shaping their grown children. While differences of opinion may arise, and children may choose a different path in life than their parents, parents still deserve their children's and grandchildren's respect.
Just judgment by a nation or government and intentional murder by an individual are two different things. The right to give or take life is not within our power. Anger and hatred in a person's heart against another are considered equivalent to murder in the heart. To murder someone is to take a life that God has given, and we do not have the right to do this. Additionally, each person has a soul that may never be saved, and you will never be guiltless for this. The keys to life and death are held by the Lord.
For a man to look at women below the level of their face can lead to sin that may control his mind. Lustful desires for another person are considered by God the same as committing adultery. When temptation arises, flee that place; you will surely find a place of refuge. Taking from another is not just a sin against them but also against God's command. Your rights stop at home; it is serious when you reach out with the dirty hand of greed.
Telling a lie may seem insignificant to some, but it’s not insignificant to our God, who hears every word, even exaggerations made so casually that they will return someday, far beyond all your fears. Wanting what belongs to another is different from stealing. Covetousness from deep within the soul may never be known except by God, who understands what you are feeling. Once it begins, you will never be truly whole.
Deliberately lying and misrepresenting the truth through false statements, taking what is not ours, and coveting what belongs to another, not only violates the law but also fails to bring joy or satisfaction to those who ignore or break these laws. In fact, it fosters feelings of guilt and dissatisfaction because that's the purpose of the law. We will never find contentment in claiming what isn't ours or attempting to rob someone of their character.
All of God's commandments make us aware of our flaws and shortcomings. We are motivated by the awakening of our conscience to the fact that we "have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Someone who loves the Lord wants to honor Him. They desire to know God and follow His ways. When our lives are dedicated to the Lord, it is because our hearts are drawn by love for Him. When we love someone, we want to please that person both in everyday life and spiritually.
The result of living for God is fellowship with Him and His people. Our lives improve when we submit to divine authority, and even our lifespan is influenced by how well we keep God's commands. The principles outlined in the law are just and good because they reveal our sins and lead us to accept not only God's judgment because of sin but also His solution of salvation through grace by faith. Those who live and walk by God's judgments and commands will be able to resist the pressure to compromise. God is honored when we obey what He has said and focus on doing things that please Him.
These commands of the Lord awaken our hearts to the fact that there is a standard to meet. God has made it clear that we are no longer free from the consequences once sin begins. Our Lord Jesus Christ fully fulfilled the law on our behalf by taking His place on the cross for us. Now, it is evident through His Word that by God’s grace alone, I am free from the curse of breaking God’s law.