Deuteronomy 5 THE TEN COMMANDMENTS In reviewing God's contract with Israel. Moses went back to the ten commandments and explained to the next generation and their children what these were and what they meant. This is a practice that is well to be followed - repeating the fundamental principles of life and faith. There are a lot of explanations and excuses people make when there is some obligation, they have with which they do not want to comply. When we have opportunities to talk with neighbors and family members, we do well to remind them in some way of what is important in long run. Busy lives lived under the pressure to produce something can make people forget their moral obligations to God, to themselves and to others.
God intended Moses to review the Ten Commandments to the Israelites in a way that they would hear with understanding, grasp the meaning, keep the truth in them and act on what the law said. It is possible to have information about God and truth without knowing what it really means. Many such conversations along that line have comments such as, "I think...," "I don't believe that way...," "I am not comfortable with that." When we pass on the truth of God to others, we need to make sure they understand the authority with which we speak is not from our own ideas. Otherwise the result is an argument that no one wins. One person's word against another is only that, and nothing is accomplished by an argument, nor are differences of opinion usually changed. In fact, often positions taken are polarized.
When one's ear is opened to actually listen to what is said from the Word of God, then there is hope that one might give heed to what is said. To hear with understanding means that information given is really understood and is being absorbed. That is why the public proclamation of the Gospel is needed. Private conversations are basically to the unbelievers, an exchange of information by equals with each having equal rights as the which one's opinion is most valid. When there is the heralding forth of the truth of God by a chosen servant, that person has the attention of people long enough to define the problem that separates people from God. Then they can give the solution to the problem from as many angles as possible. In a public message a speaker can then focus the hearer’s attention on the issue to the exclusion of other opinions, and urge those who hear to act upon what has been said. Those who hear are able to absorb what has been spoken because they "have heard with the hearing of the ear."
The process of learning isn't an instant thing and may take a lengthy period of time depending on the convictions a person has and whether they are willing to be taught. After hearing a message from God, learning has the implication that acting on that message will be considered. The meaning of the message is understood. The implications that will affect one's life if the message is acted upon, will take some time to be decided on depending on that person's frame of reference, background and willingness to effect change.
Keeping and doing involved claiming for one's self the truth, and putting the truth into action in a person's life. Following what has been taught, learned and received with understanding is the way a relationship with God is formed and maintained. It is God's intention that His people not only are willing to have such a connection formed by reconciliation to Him, but that we live in that fellowship continually. In that way a person's life is able to be effective not only for themselves, but for those who come after us. We pass on what we know and have personally experienced.
Not everyone who has a god before the one true God, has an idol formed out of gold, silver, wood or stone as some religions do. Their idols are unseen but often are more powerful. Power, money, materialism, influence and popularity are some of the idols that are driving forces in their lives. Anything that claims the central focus of my life is the "god" in my life. The Lord God is to have the first place in my life and deserves my devotion, my attention and my allegiance. I am to be loyal to Him no matter what the consequences are. Each day I need to make sure His interests are the priority in all my activities. Love for Him is the motivating force of my life and when I fail Him, I need to confess my sin and forsake it. Thankfully He has promised to forgive me.
God is not at all interested in me having His photograph and hanging it on a wall along with other ancient people or even family members who have lived and died. To put a likeness of Him that someone has made or even one that I might think is like Him into a frame would be demeaning to Him. It would be like I am relegating Him to mere human perspective. To try to encapsulate an infinite Person who "inhabits eternity" and to whom "earth is His footstool" is really an insult to Him. Those people who refuse to be photographed or have pictures painted of them are to a certain extent exalting themselves rather than recognizing themselves for who they really are. Our God is the Living God who lives His life in us and through us. He is the vital part of all we are and do. He is not allowing us to give Him a humiliating place alongside of the other mementos of life that we collect.
Our speech is to always "be with grace, seasoned with salt." What is called "salty language" by men is not to come from the lips of the people of God. That kind of speech has no redeeming features at all. It is contrary to what God intends our voices and words to be used for. To praise God in words and songs glorifies Him. Worship uses words to communicate the thoughts of our heart in ways that honors God. There are a number of ways we can honor Him. God formed 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. That day signified the end of creation in the beginning and then the end of the agreement God made with the nation of Israel. To those of us who live in the days of the New Covenant (Testament), the first day of the week is called the Lord's (lordly) Day. The important points of the first day of the week begin with the resurrection of Christ; the event that changed everything from being historical, to presently active in our lives. "Because He lives, we live also." The first day of the week is not only the day of resurrection but also of remembrance in which we remember Christ and make a public proclamation of His death. It is a day of responsibility when we give our financial offerings to God. The first day of the week is a day of review when the word of God is ministered to God's people, and it is a day of revelation as when John gave prophetic insights into the future.
When a person is young, we are told, "children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right." Parental authority is the same world-wide because the survival of children depends on the various provisions made for them by fathers and mothers. As years pass by adult children are called upon to "honor thy father and they mother." The influence of parents, the values of parents, the morals and spiritual influence of parents are all part of what makes their grown children who they are. There may come differences of opinion and the children may choose a different path in life then that of their parents, but the parents still deserve the respect of their children and grandchildren.
The carrying out of just judgment by a nation or government, and deliberate murder by an individual are two different things. The right to give or take life is not in our hands. Anger and hatred in the heart of a person against another is considered the same as murder in the heart. The keys of life and death are held in the hands of the Lord. Lustful desires for another person are considered by God the same as committing adultery. Deliberate lying and misrepresenting the truth by false statements, taking what is not ours to have, wanting what belongs to another with a view of claiming it, are not only forbidden by the law, but the result of it does not bring joy and satisfaction to those who ignore and break those laws. It actually will promote an inward sense of guilt and discontentment because that is the purpose of the law. We will never be satisfied by claiming for ourselves what belong to others or even by an attempt to rob another person of their character.
All of the commandments of God make us conscious of our failures 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." One who loves the Lord wants to respect Him. It is their desire to know God and obey Him. When our lives are dedicated to the Lord, it is because our hearts are drawn by love to Him. When we love someone, we desire to please that person both in the human, natural sphere of our lives and in the spiritual.
The outcome of living for God is fellowship with God and His people. Our own lives are enhanced by yielding to divine authority and even the length of life is affected by the degree to which we keep God's commands. The principles stated in the law are right and good in that they reveal our sin and lead us to accept not only God's verdict because of sin, but His solution by providing salvation by grace through faith. The people who live and walk by the judgments and commands of God, will be able to withstand the pressures to compromise. God is honored when we obey what He has said, and apply ourselves to those things that please Him.