God spoke. Exodus 20:1-2 When God spoke from Mount Sinai and inscribed the Ten Commandments on stone tablets, it was a new experience for mankind. The moral law, with its standards of right and wrong, dates back to the very beginning. These are not merely laws to follow but principles that point toward perfection. God's laws are written in the heart of every person and predate even the creation of angels. "Judgment and righteousness" are found within God Himself. These spoken and written laws present God's standards to us so that we may understand what God intends for us to be and how He wants us to live.
Our sinful nature places us at the center of our existence and distorts how we relate to God and others. The word “thou” or “you” is singular in these verses, reminding us that God addresses each individual in these commandments. They are sometimes called “The Decalogue,” which means “Ten Words.” These ten words were given personally to the Israelites by God. Moses served as the mediator through whom the rest of God's words were communicated to them. Rules that establish order within a person or society are necessary to prevent chaos. Laws of many different kinds regulate our lives, and each one benefits us when we obey them. There are consequences we must face when we disobey.
The law of fire can be very useful for warming us and cooking our food, but we can suffer serious harm or die if that law is ignored or misused. Gravity is a law that helps us maintain our balance and prevents us from living in chaos and risking flying objects. It can also cause death if we disobey the law of gravity or think we can misuse it. Electricity has laws that govern its use. There is even the law of health that, when followed, allows me to live well and comfortably, but when ignored, I may die in pain without mercy. Laws are not random or petty but are essential for keeping order. Moral laws are built into every person, and conscience is also within us to guide us in obeying those laws.
Laws require obedience for humans to live rightly. The law of the Lord is perfect and just. Our ideas of right and wrong are influenced by our environment and our fallen nature. Some people today think nothing of stealing by trickery what belongs to others but become very upset when a murderer is sentenced to death. Others believe that nothing is seriously wrong with adultery and refuse to accept that God says it is wrong. The consequences of such actions can cause serious problems, as well as emotional and possibly physical pain, for everyone involved.
Laws form the foundation of human behavior. They are like a mirror on the wall that shows our need for cleansing. However, they do not remove the guilt of bad choices and wrong living. Instead, they reveal the reality of guilt and the necessity for purification. "The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin." The law isn't flawed in any way, but it does expose the faults within us. The first four commandments outline the basics of a relationship with God. God is real. He is not a figment of imagination or some abstract idea created by humans to maintain order in society.
In the same way He spoke to those people long ago, He speaks to us in ways He chooses. Our role in this relationship is to recognize God by listening to what He says and obeying Him. “God spoke all these words” teaches us the importance of the commitments involved in a covenant with Him. A special relationship is formed between God and those He has given eternal life to. He has rescued us “from so great a death," just as He delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery.
This relationship is simple. On our part, we are to “trust and obey, for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus than to trust and obey.” Our Lord is the Creator, Sustainer, and Master of everything. Suggesting that He is limited in sovereign authority would make a relationship with Him impossible. If that were the case, then our responsibility of stewardship of the earth or anything we have would have no meaning or purpose.
The Israelites had just come from Egypt, where they worshipped many idols and false gods. Now, "the Lord thy God" means there is no other god for them. Practical holiness in God's people begins with a true understanding of who God is. It wouldn't have been difficult for the Jews to add God to their list of gods they worshipped. They couldn't be His people if they didn't learn who the One True God was. He was the One who delivered them after the plagues opened the way out of Egypt. He was the One who parted the Red Sea, provided bread and meat, turned bitter water into sweet water, and gave them water from the Rock. He was the One who gave them victory over the Amalekites. He was the One who dwelt in the cloud and fire—now He spoke through the smoke and earthquake.
God's people in every age need to remember whom we serve and how holy and mighty He is so that we might serve Him with reverence and godly fear. No matter how hard we try to keep the other laws, if we don't understand who our God is, it has no real value. The law never made man a sinner; it only revealed very clearly that man is a sinner. God's words aim to help people understand who He is and who they are. Our spiritual guide takes us by the hand and leads us to the cross, showing us that we are sinners and need a Savior because our sin has consequences that far surpass our ability to handle.
The last six commandments teach us the basics for living in this world. Our relationships with family, neighbors, and communities should generally be guided by these rules of conduct. Each person should consistently follow these fundamental principles of social living. Ignoring or disobeying them can lead to broken relationships with others and damage those connections.
The Ten Commandments are seen as outdated, too restrictive, and limiting for many people. They believe these fundamental rules do not apply to them, so they ignore them and face the consequences. No society can function properly without establishing limits that confine behavior, allowing people to live peacefully and prosper. Freedom and safety rely on the boundaries of rules that have consequences when broken. In forming a covenant, there are three essential elements that both parties agree upon. First, we must be fully committed to each other. Second, we adhere to the unconditional principles we agree on. Third, obedience is a personal response that goes beyond merely trying to follow the rules, serving as an expression of devotion to each other.
Being out of harmony with God leads us to misunderstand Him. A wrong understanding of God then gives us the false impression that obeying His commands isn't very serious. People often say, "After all, God is love," which reveals how mistaken their thoughts about God can be. There is also a misunderstanding of what love truly is. The fact that God is willing to speak to us and provides clear guidelines for living, serving, and dying is a powerful testimony of His love for us.
If the nation of Israel is to thrive in a covenant relationship with God, it must share His holy nature to be a holy nation. The next few chapters expand on the brief outline of these absolute principles presented here. Our new covenant relationship with God, in which we share eternal life, requires holiness. “Be ye holy, for I am holy,” God says. We didn’t enter into a casual relationship with God when He saved us. We have been delivered from the wrath to come by the sacrifice of Christ in our place.
Our Savior and Redeemer paid for our salvation with His life. His blood has washed away all our sins. We have been bought with the priceless blood of Christ. The penalty of sin has been fully paid because of His love and grace. Divine justice has been fulfilled. We respond to that grace by having faith and offering our bodies as living sacrifices to Him. We have died to ourselves and now live for Him.
The Ten Commandments reveal God's character, His values, and His expectations for our relationship with Him. These expectations also extend to our human relationships, which are clearly outlined in this decalogue. These are timeless truths that take precedence over any laws devised by humans. The preamble states, "I am the Lord your God." Following this, a prologue reminds us of His grace. Finally, a list of commandments is provided for us to follow, emphasizing submission, loyalty, and obedience motivated by gratitude, trust, and reverence for our Lord.