The tribes of Israel received the Ten Commandments at Mount Horeb having travelled from Egypt to Midian, via the Gulf of Aqaba at the top of the Red Sea. Meaning ‘a place of desolation’ Horeb is where Moses met the Angel of the LORD when he went to investigate the burning bush. It was during his exile from Egypt where Israel had been captive for 400 years. Having been told the mountain was a Holy Place; Moses was to return after bringing the tribes of Israel out. When you have brought forth the people out of Egypt, ye shall serve God upon this mountain. (Exo 3:12)
We will use Origen’s complete set of the Ten Commandments given in Exodus 20. In the Jewish (Talmudic) and Catholic (Augustine) editions the Second Commandment has been removed; the nine remaining have been re-ordered. The Commandments consist of two tables, four in the first table and six in the second. The fourth however, acts as a bridge connecting the three about God and the six concerning us. The first three are:
- I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt have no other gods before me.
- Thou shalt not make for thyself any graven image.
- Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain
These three Commands sit over the others. The second table lists our obligation to honour our parents and neighbours. They are the keystone of charity, restated in the Command from Jesus that we love our neighbour as ourselves. They are also the foundation of the Commandments pertaining to the LORD. They are then an interlocking set, however the fourth has another and unique dimension as we will see.
- Remember the Lord’s Day to keep it holy.
… and they did not rest day and night saying, holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. (Revelation 4:8)
- Honour thy Father and Mother.
- Thou shalt not murder.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
- Thou shalt not covet.
These complete the Ten given to Moses, yet there were many supplementary commands given to Israel prior to entering the Promised Land. The leading one is;
Hear O Israel: The LORD our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. (Deuteronomy 6:4-5)
Known as the Great Command, we again see it in the Gospel of the Lion (Mark 12:29-30) this time with a small addition. Jesus added the word “mind” when commanding how we must love the LORD: with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with thy entire mind, and with all thy strength: Jesus instructs us to keep the LORD upmost in our thoughts. He also reminds us of the underpinning of the Commandments given to Moses. And the second like this; thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (12:31)
But, you may have noticed that when replying to the question from the Scribe, Jesus made no comment on the fourth Commandment given to Moses; no mention at all of the day of rest. He covered all of the others, indeed added to them, but did not mention the Sabbath…
The Ten Commandments
1- I am the Lord thy God and thou shalt have no other gods before me.
At the time they were given, the known world worshiped a variety of Gods. For the previous 400 years, the Israelite tribes had been under the rule of such a society with various deities featuring in all aspects of daily life. They included Amun-Ra (the hidden one); Mut (the mother goddess); Osiris (king of the living); Ra (god of sun and radiance); Horus (god of vengeance); and Thoth (the god of knowledge and wisdom). Yet, Israel acknowledged only one God; the God of their ancestor Abraham.
It is in this setting Israel was now reminded it was the God of Abraham who spoke with Moses and gave him the Law. This Commandment sets the stage with the definitive statement; I am the Lord thy God. In this the LORD claims Israel as His. I am your God and you will from now on have none other but me. All and any worship of strange gods ends here. And, it is from this moment sin becomes attributed to the sinner. For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. (Romans 5:13)
The first Commandment reveals there is one Ever-Living God. Is there a God beside me? Yea, there is no God; I know not any. (Isaiah 44:8)
The LORD made known His existence power and authority that He had come to save Israel out of bondage. He was the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Yet when Moses asked his Name, the LORD only replied I AM THAT I AM.
It is in the New Testament are we given further insight into the true depth and meaning of that Name.
2 – Thou shalt not make for thyself any graven image.
This Commandment is not found in the Jewish or Catholic versions. And it was the Second Commandment, which was the first to be violated with the making of the golden calf. Such was the penalty for this idolatry; none that took a part was to enter the Promised Land.
And the LORD’S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation that had done evil in the sight of the LORD was consumed. (Numbers 32:13)
A graven image is a pillar or likeness representing a deity. Or something for worship as we see with Baal’s altars; the grove to Ashtoreth built by King Manasseh; or the golden calves erected by Jeroboam placed in Bethel and Dan. (1Kings 12:29)
The connotation of a graven image is any figure or representation of a god or gods, or form of gods and especially the LORD. It is forbidden to depict or worship Him in the form of an image. (Hosea 8) Thus, it is not surprising to see this Commandment removed where icons, statues and the like appear in abundance. The fact it has been torn out by the root is unpardonable.
The second Command is about Idolatry. No matter what appearance it takes; images, icons words or symbols, idolatry is giving such things veneration and precedence. An image is a reproduction of the true and as the Prophet says, an image is a teacher of lies. (Habakkuk 2:18) These types of idolatry replace the truth of God with a false notion of faith; that by showing reverence to an object or item, which reminds us of God, it will then lead us to God. It is an illusion. The true worship of the LORD is via the Spirit; truth to truth. Believing an inanimate object or a long dead Saint can do anything good is a figment of one’s imagination.
But, the most deceptive graven image is the doctrine of trinity. It presents the Father and Son as separate though with a combining Spirit. Yet, when we read Isaiah 9:6, we find the Father is the Son and the Son the Father. We also discover that only the LORD is our Redeemer; I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour; (Isaiah 43:11) which shows us the LORD and His Christ, are one and the same. To diminish this in any way is to construct a false image of the Ever-Living God denying His ubiquitous nature and eternal presence, an idolatrous act.
3 – Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Therefore shall ye keep my commandments, and do them: I am the LORD. Neither shall ye profane my holy name; but I will be hallowed among the children of Israel: I am the LORD which hallow you; that brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. I am the LORD. (Leviticus 22:31-33)
If there is any Commandment that is ignored today it is this one. The LORD’S name is above all names, kingdoms, dominions and men. It is therefore not an expletive as regularly heard today in movies, television and on the street. To cast down His Name is to issue an oath against God. We sanctify the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for how we use it defines us. It can raise us in glory or convict us in shame: … those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies. (Matthew 15: 18-9)
To lower His name is to raise ourselves that we are greater than creation itself, for there is only one creator; only one LORD. To trample the name of JESUS is the road to perdition.
The rest of this Commandment reads; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes His name in vain. So, there is a cost should we speak ill of the LORD and His Salvation. (The Christ) I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me. (Deut 32:41) It is not a reward anyone should seek.
It’s time for us to wake up to our sin. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth, who has set thy glory above the heavens. (Psalms 8:1)
4 – Remember the LORD’S day and keep it Holy
By tradition, the fourth Commandment concerns the day of the week we rest give thanks, and hear the gospel; a celebration of the six days of creation with God resting on the seventh, wherefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and hollowed it. (Exo 20:11) Neither Origin nor Augustine used the word Sabbath preferring The Lord’s Day. Only Judaism uses Sabbath, which they observe from sunset Friday until first stars rise on Saturday night. Older denominations observe Sunday; some newer congregations prefer Saturday. This has become one of the most debated Commandments since Constantine changed the customary day at Nicaea. Still, Jesus will have the final word: for the son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath day. (Matt 12:8)
Earlier, we briefly looked at the Commandments from Jesus where He made no reference to the fourth given to Moses. It was not a mistake as this Commandment pertains to Him. Jesus is the subject of the fourth Commandment; Jesus is our Sabbath rest. This refers to, I AM THAT I AM and an important verse in Revelation. In addition, many do not grasp the significance of Isaiah where significant titles of Jesus are given. So, let’s begin with the words of the Lord Jesus Christ stating His ultimate authority, when speaking to the Apostle John.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. (Rev 21:6)
The name given by God to Moses rendered; I AM THAT I AM is much longer in the original text and translates in part I am becoming who I am becoming. Inescapably it ties to Revelation 4:8. … and they did not rest day and night saying, holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. So, let’s look at which was, and is, and is to come from the Revelation of Jesus Christ.
Which was: YHWH:
The Existing One; the timeless one; the ancient of days; the antecedent of creation. In the beginning was the Word … before Abraham was, I AM. (John 8:58)
And is: I AM:
The everlasting Father; The mighty God; the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Moses; ubiquitous, omniscient and omnipotent. God is a Spirit. (John 4:24)
And is to come: JESUS:
The LORD’S Salvation; The Prince of Peace; the Comforter. He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. (Rev 21:7)
Now, notice it is Jesus who says He will be God; it is not the Father or the Son. Nor any other imagining we may have about the LORD of Heaven. “…and I will be his God.” As we see from Zechariah when speaking of the Kingdom and the LORD, the Prophet is speaking of the Christ. The one Name is JESUS: the name given to Joseph by the Angel Gabriel before Mary had yet conceived; a Holy name, which came down from Heaven; the very same name we are baptized into and sealed by. (Matt 28:19; Acts 2:38) We can only be redeemed by the one with authority.
And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD and his name One. (Zechariah 14:9)
5 – Honour thy Father and Mother.
Like the following Commands this is pretty straightforward; respect one’s parents. Even Jesus set a good example keeping this Command when a child in Nazareth. He was subject to them and their guidance on matters of daily living, work and religious observance; it was they who took Him to the temple at Jerusalem. He obeyed his mother at Cana. However, we have seen this Command broken like all the others, today more than ever.
This Commandment often comes down to mis-judgement in the young, thinking they are better than those who went before. It is only when we are older we learn the truth of it; our parents, without fear or favour, knew more than us at the time. The Command is therefore about patience that we learn these things at the feet of those who gave us life and love us most. So, when we turn our back to them we are shunning God also. But age itself is no excuse; we are to respect our parents all the days the LORD gives us and them.
Along with our instruction there is a blessing in this Commandment; that thy days may be long upon the land, which the LORD thy God gives thee. It speaks to harmony and peaceful living. And by keeping the Word of God and honouring our parents, it is the beginning of knowledge.
6 – Thou shalt not murder.
It should be remembered that the first recorded murder followed the first lie. The destruction of truth therefore, is the foundation upon which murder might follow. The Commandment often seen as, thou shalt not kill, is about control, perceived or otherwise. The core of the Command concerns the aim of one to cause mortal harm to another; resolute desire to unlawfully take the life of another. It is therefore not about killing per’se, as we are given authority over the Earth’s bounty for our nutrition and well-being; it is to be at peace with our neighbour.
Of the Commands concerning our behaviour this is the one commonly debated; a contention born of ignorance and with more than a little irony. The kill or murder dispute, has put aside the word of God in favour of intellect, the upshot being disagreement and confusion. ‘Thou shalt not kill’ has become the forefront of social issues, activist aims resulting in more than a few black eyes. The discussion is based on one’s viewpoint and not God’s hope for us all.
So, to murder is to fall to judgment, when all are equal under God. Long-suffering therefore is our teacher. The Commandment forbids malice or hatred, likewise anger, said or done leading to conflict …whosoever is angry with his brother without cause shall be in danger of judgment. (Matthew 5:22) Agree with thy adversary quickly… (5:25) in other words don’t let things get out of hand, put matters right without delay or bear the consequence.
Of Satan, Jesus said he was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth: (John 8:44) showing his desire to kill the truth and wreck our faith. Due to envy, Cain murdered his brother in an act of purpose to remove a supposed obstacle to God’s acceptance of him; intent born of hatred. Cain ‘rose up’ against Abel his brother and slew him. (Gen 4:8)
But, the often avoided issue is God and carnage by instruction, even at His hand. The reality is God and His Prophets are responsible for deaths on a vast scale throughout the history of Israel and seen in much of the Old Testament. The Angel of the LORD killed 185,000 Assyrians in one night. Joshua was ordered to wipe out numerous people and take their lands. The young King, Josiah killed the priests and prophets of Baal.
At Horeb, Moses called on Levi to put to death worshipers of the golden calf; and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. (Exo 32:28) And the LORD said unto Moses, whosoever has sinned against me, I will blot him out of my book. (Exo 32:33) And it’s not over yet. Now, for anyone raised on ‘gentle Jesus meek and mild’ this may come as a bit of shock. This is from the Lord Jesus Christ, the author of our faith.
I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (Rev 2:23)
While we must not purposely kill another person, the Creator holds the ultimate right to remove anyone by death as He did in the time of Noah. The hard truth is, Almighty God shows no partiality and why we are wise to honour and respect Him. Peter made it plain that God is no respecter of persons. (Act 10:34) The LORD is the sovereign power when all is said and done. We take our place by abiding in His Gospel and the faith of Jesus. It is about eternal truth and life. Life is for the living, death is for the dead.
We are to love God, love our neighbour, and also love our enemies. Charity is greater than faith and hope. To believe we are larger than God has but one outcome to our end. To question His authority or decisions can only lead to ruin; what the LORD does with His creation is entirely up to Him. But, we are told not to murder. It’s a simple as that.
7 – Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Of all the Commands regarding our social conduct, the seventh Commandment is effectively ignored. Along with the growth in abnormal conventions, adultery has become common to such an extent; this law has been made essentially null and void. In truth, the world has told God to take a hike! It is about short term pleasure driven by bodily desire. Its abuse can only lead to loss; pain and hurt for anyone caught up in it, above all the innocent. Adultery is a trust killer. The seventh Commandment is about disloyalty and lack of faith.
The seventh commandment concerns our own and our neighbour’s chastity; for our chastity should be as dear to us as our lives, and we should be as much afraid of that which defiles the body as of that which destroys it. (Matthew Henry)
Whatever poisons our imagination, or inflames passion falls under this law. God instructs us to avoid at all costs putting our decency at risk. When unfettered desire is acted upon, it opens the door to all manner of torment as King David learned to his cost. (Psalm 51) It has caused wars and the falling of kingdoms. Herod’s desire for his step-daughter, Salome cost John the Baptist his life. Infidelity destroys respect, love and trust, things we should all value and cherish.
Today, licentious behaviour is encouraged and promoted constantly across all media targeting mainly the young. This Command especially, is under attack from all sides by an industry of depravity set on reducing any form of upright living to that of a memory. A spirit of moral corruption is causing acts that war against the soul; which pull us down to the level of beasts; shameless deeds that Angels were sent to destroy. Even the word adultery has been replaced by epithets that slide of the tongue. Now a common currency, infidelity is driven by errant desire, expectations and money. The grass is never, ever, greener on the other side…
8 – Thou shalt not steal.
On the surface this Command is pretty clear; don’t take anything that doesn’t belong to you. Do not rob, embezzle or purloin, directly, forcibly, or by underhand means that which is owned by another, which includes withholding due payments, interest, wages or anything that is theirs as of right. The Command concerns unwarranted invasion, and/or theft of possessions be they personal, corporate or communally owned.
It is about social equity and entitlement to conduct one’s affairs; be they personal, family or business, including communal and fiscal assets, without concern to its breach.
The act of stealing also takes from the doer; for to take from another robs our character, which eats away the fiber of one’s integrity. It installs false ideas of morality and right of ownership; that one is above the common governance of society. To steal then creates an illusion of primacy over others; I am worthy and they are not. As we are reminded in Scripture it is the LORD who deals with the giving and taking in our lives.
9 – Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
The Ninth Commandment is about reputation; the value of one’s good name that our utterances can be deemed reliable and truthful. Consequently, we must not injure or malign with malicious intent, or for any other reason, the good standing of another.
It includes gossip, slander, evasion and prejudice. Making an untruthful statement in a public place, or court of law, for dishonest gain contravenes this Commandment. Trickery, any form of deceit or fraud for personal advancement is to bear false witness.
It is any way we seek to raise our own standing to the detriment of others by untruthful means: i.e. lying.
This is about self-aggrandizement. We are instructed to walk through life of humble heart, to act with kindness and to speak honestly … let what you say be simply yes or no; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:37) It was the Sanhedrin’s fabricated statements that led to the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ. By that example alone, we must at all times be fair-minded and truthful in our dealings with our neighbour in all we say and do. We should always try to uplift and support truthfully, and not pull down. It is in the giving we are rewarded.
10 – Thou shalt not covet.
Of all the Commandments this was the reason for Eve’s deception and Adam’s fall. They desired what wasn’t theirs. Rather than rejoicing in the fact we have good health, life or liberty, it seems we can never be satisfied with our lot, believing forbidden fruit is always the sweetest. It is a myth of our own making to mask our envy of others and their apparent good fortune. This is about feelings of discontent when our desire should be God-ward, and not for worldly things.
For where your treasure is your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21)
As the Proverb rightly states, by humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour and life. (Pro 22:4)
To crave the possessions of another; to desire someone’s spouse, or to hanker after anything that isn’t ours, is born of delusion we are deficient in some way, when in truth we have God’s bounty at our doorstep. To covet then is unfaithfulness, first to us more importantly to God. Only in humility, faith, love and patience are such cravings appeased. This Command is at the root of the second table. It concerns charity in all things, especially in our dealings with our neighbours and those we love. Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:8)
It is about living a clean and simple life in the knowledge there is nothing in Heaven or Earth that can replace the Grace of God, or the Blood He shed for us.
Synopsis
The Ten Commandments is a law of God’s making given to His servant Moses; a law spoken, and a law engraved. Commandments for the son’s of Jacob, for not all of Abraham’s progeny received the Law. It is then a gift of God to His people saved out of Egypt, and in keeping with the LORD’S promise to Abraham and his offspring. It is a moral code, the foundation of social justice and the laws we live by.
The LORD has many ways of speaking; His voice through chosen men and women, all of which we must consider. And, by His Spirit through which we are called, touched or moved to act. But, He never spoke upon any occasion prior to His living form on Earth as He uttered the Ten Commandments. We should with our best attention heed them. And though a natural law was written in Adam’s seed, sin had so defaced that writing it was necessary to revive its knowledge.
Still, accusation, being in the law, is where judgement sits. The law then is for ruling at the hand of the accuser to take measure of the light and the dark in us all. Therefore, the Commandments are for the testing of fidelity, love, peace and charity. They are the path to understanding that by believing, we may cast the darkness into the light by the true law of faith.
The Apostle Paul to the Church at Rome…
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely,
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love works no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
And that, knowing the time; that it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put you on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
In love and peace,
James