Read Exodus 20
Highlights:
Ten Commandments and other laws and regulations given.
The Ten Commandments are of utmost importance since they were given to us by our Creator. It is no surprise that those who hate and reject God also hate to see them displayed. However, they are essential, basic principles for the spiritual and moral conduct of mankind. Without them we have uncontrolled chaos. Eight are expressed negatively: Thou shalt not. Six present requirements for our relationship with others. Four reveal the perfection of the Holy, One True God, who alone is to be worshiped.
God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God. . . . Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing . . . in heaven above, or . . . the earth . . . for I . . . (show mercy to) them that love Me, and keep My Commandments. Thou shalt not take the Name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh His Name in vain. Remember the Sabbath (Rest) day, to keep it holy. . . . Honour thy father and thy mother . . . . Thou shalt not kill. . . . commit adultery. . . . steal. . . . bear false witness against thy neighbour. . . . covet (20:1-17).
We are warned that it is wrong to steal — whether it is done by shoplifting, cheating on income tax, or failing to give an employer a full day's work. It is wrong to bear false witness (to lie, or to wrongly accuse) against a neighbor, and it is wrong to commit adultery. God warns us of the inevitable consequences for those who fail to heed His commands. The . . . unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8; Eph. 5:5-8). We are also warned against the practices of witchcraft, sorcery, bestiality, and sacrificing unto any god, save unto the LORD only (Ex. 22:18-20). All who were guilty of these sins were to be put to death immediately. Obedience to His Word should come from the heart. If I love my neighbor, I will not steal his property, commit adultery with his wife, or commit fornication with his daughter. I will protect and respect his loved ones because they belong to God.
The Law is a mirror that reveals with absolute accuracy what we should be. The Apostle Paul said: I had not known sin, but by the Law: for I had not known lust (evil desire), except the Law had said, Thou shalt not covet (Rom. 7:7).
Thought for Today:
For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him (II Chr. 16:9).
Christ Revealed:
The perfection of Christ is revealed through the Ten Commandments, for He kept all of them (Ex. 20:1-17). He was perfect and without sin (Heb. 4:15). He also gave us a new Commandment . . . That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34).
Word Studies:
20:13 kill, murder; 21:14 come presumptuously upon, willfully attacks; 21:16 stealeth, kidnaps; 21:19 be quit, go unpunished; 21:22 her fruit depart from her, she miscarries; 21:29 were wont, has tried before; 22:2 breaking up, breaking in.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Micheal Moore • Government Officials: Rep. Mike C. Thompson (CA), Rep. John Garamendi (CA), and Secy. Shaun L.S. Donovan (Dept. of HUD) • Country: North Korea (22.2 million) in northeastern Asia • Major language: Korean • Violent oppression against all religions • 68% atheist; 15% Ch'ondogyo; 14% Other Traditional; 2% Buddhist; 1% Christian • Prayer Suggestion: Have faith in the Word of God (John 4:49-53).
Optional Reading: Matthew 24
Memory Verse for the Week: