Exodus 20: The Ten Commandments
- MIJN Team
- Mar 15
- 2 min read
Key Verse: Exodus 20:2-3"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."
The mountain is still trembling. Smoke and fire cover the peak. The sound of the trumpet echoes through the air. And then, God speaks.
For the first time, the entire nation hears the voice of God.
He does not start with rules. He starts with relationship.
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt."
God reminds them: He is not just giving commands—He is calling them to Himself. These laws are not about control; they are about covenant. They are a response to what He has already done.
Then, He gives the Ten Commandments.
The Commandments
No other gods before Me. Worship belongs to God alone.
No idols. Do not create or worship anything in His place.
Do not misuse God's name. His name is holy—use it with reverence.
Remember the Sabbath. Set aside time to rest and worship.
Honor your father and mother. Respect the authority God has placed in your life.
Do not murder. Life is sacred.
Do not commit adultery. Faithfulness matters.
Do not steal. Trust God to provide.
Do not lie. Speak truth in all things.
Do not covet. Be content with what God has given you.
These are not just rules; they are a reflection of God's heart.
Fear and Distance
The people are terrified.
"You speak to us, Moses, and we will listen. But do not let God speak to us, or we will die." (Exodus 20:19)
They have seen His power, and instead of drawing close, they step back.
But Moses reassures them:
"Do not be afraid, for God has come to test you, that the fear of Him may be before you, that you may not sin." (Exodus 20:20)
God is not trying to scare them away. He is calling them to holiness.
A Lesson for Us
God’s commandments are not about restrictions—they are about relationship. They show us how to love God and love others.
But like Israel, we cannot keep them perfectly. That’s why we need Jesus.
He fulfilled the law we could not keep.
He draws us close when we are afraid.
He gives us a new heart, so we don’t just obey out of duty, but out of love.
Are we stepping back in fear, or are we drawing near in faith? God has not just given us commands—He has given us Himself. Will we follow Him?
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