Title: Exodus 20 “The Ten Commandments”
Contents
Exodus 20 “The Ten Commandments”
The God of Israel is the God of salvation and the God of the covenant, and He gave the ten commandments that are the center of the covenant. Let's look at the characteristics of the Ten Commandments.
1 Basis: Grace of Salvation (1-2)
The God of the covenant, who gave the Ten Commandments, is the God of salvation and grace who delivered Israel from the land of slavery in Egypt. The basis of God's Word and commandments is not the coercion of fear, but the compulsion of love. Those who can read, receive, and keep God's Word and commandments are those who have experienced God's saving grace.
2. Content: Love of God and Love of Man (3-17)
The Ten Commandments are truly special commandments of God, given to Moses by God written on two stone tablets (Exodus 24:12, 31:18).
The content written on the first stone tablet is fear and love of God, and the content written on the second stone tablet is respect and love for people. The way to fear and love God is to 1) serve God only, 2) do not make idols or bow down, 3) do not use the name of God recklessly and profanely, 4) keep the Sabbath (Sunday) holy, that is, do not work for a living. It is to worship and keep God. The way to respect and love people is to 5) honor your parents 6) do not murder 7) do not commit adultery 8) do not steal 9) do not bear false witness 10) do not covet. So Jesus summarized the law, saying, “You shall love the Lord your God, and you shall love your neighbor, and these two commandments are all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40). Our ancestors also taught that the lover of Gyeongcheon is the fundamental principle of life.
3. Purpose: Grace and Blessing (3-17)
The true intention of the Ten Commandments was not to burden humans and torment them, but to give grace, rest, and blessings. 1) When we only fear God, we receive the same grace as David. 2) When you do not serve idols, you receive the same grace as Daniel. 3) When we exalt and respect the name of God, we are exalted and respected by God. 4) When we keep the Sabbath, or Sunday, holy, we receive faithful grace and blessings in spirit and body. 5) When you honor your parents, you receive the blessing of prolonging your life. 6) Not killing or hating 7) Not committing adultery or lust 8) Not stealing or corrupting 9) Not committing lies or injustice 10) Not greed You are blessed with becoming bright, orderly, bright, and happy.
4. Expedient: Moses and Jesus the Mediator
The people of Israel did not receive the Ten Commandments directly from God, but through the mediator Moses. “You speak to us” (19). “Moses drew near into the darkness [cloud] of God” (21). “Build me an altar, and on it offer your burnt offerings and peace offerings [types of the sin offerings of Christ] of your sheep and oxen, and I will come and bless you wherever my name is remembered” (24). All of God's words, grace and blessings come through Jesus Christ, our Mediator.