Bible Pathways - Jan. 24, 2009

Exodus 20

Highlights In Today's Reading:

The Law is a mirror that reveals with absolute accuracy and authority what we are and what we should be.

The Ten Commandments are the only revelation of God given to mankind that was written with the finger of God (31:18). Eight of the Ten Commandments are expressed negatively: Thou shalt not. Four point to the absolute perfection of the Holy, Creator God, who alone is to be worshiped and obeyed. Six present standards for our relationship with others.

The Law reminds us that none of these relationships with God or man can be ignored. In an exclusive, covenant relationship, the Lord God must always have priority in our hearts and be our first consideration, without compromise. Consequently, His Commandments begin: God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God. . . . Have no other gods before Me. . . . Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in Heaven . . . or . . . earth. . . . I the Lord . . . am a jealous God . . . shewing mercy unto . . . 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 Day, to keep it holy. . . . Honour thy father and thy mother. . . . Thou shalt not kill. . . . commit adultery. . . . steal. . . . bear false witness. . . . covet . . . any thing (20:1-17). Obedience to the Law was to be Israel's outward sign of having accepted His call to be a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation (19:6).

We are warned that all liars will go to hell. It is wrong to steal — wrong whether it is done by shoplifting, cheating on our income tax, or failing to give an employer a full day's work. It is wrong to bear false witness against our neighbors and it is wrong to commit adultery. The . . . unbelieving . . . murderers . . . whoremongers . . . and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone (Rev. 21:8). The Law calls for a sincere obedience from the heart. If I have love toward my neighbor, I will not steal his property or commit adultery with his wife. I will protect his loved ones because they are the property of God.

True Christians seek to know more of God. What peace we have in knowing that when we do fall short of keeping His Word, if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9).

Thought for Today:

A nation may remove the Ten Commandments from its buildings, but that doesn't make them any less Divine Law for mankind now.

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).

Word Studies:

20:10 Sabbath =day of rest to honor God; 20:13 kill =murder; 21:8 strange nation =foreign people; 21:14 presumptuously =willfully; with guile =treacherously; 21:19 be quit =be acquitted, blameless; 21:22 her fruit depart from her =suffer a miscarriage; 22:2 breaking up =breaking in; smitten =struck with a fatal blow; 22:16 endow =marriage payment; 22:21 vex =wrongfully treat; 22:24 wax =become; 22:25 usurer =one who loans with interest; 22:31 holy men unto Me =special people consecrated to My service.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Radio Sri Lanka Broadcasts for the week sponsored by Mr. Darold O'Bryant • Government Officials: Rep. Bart Gordon (TN) and Rep. Mike Thompson (CA) • Country: Venezuela (23 million) on the northern coast of South America • Major languages: Spanish and Indian dialects • Religious freedom • 94% Roman Catholic; 1% Protestant; 1% Indian pagan religions • Prayer Suggestion: Express your gratitude for the loving-kindness of God (Jer. 32:17-18).

Optional Reading: Matthew 24

Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 4:17