Currently, our church is doing a topical study on the Ten Commandments. It’s been interesting to delve deeper into the commands themselves, such as God’s intent for the commandments, how man has forsaken them, and how we are to live them out.
Something our Pastor shared, which I found fascinating, is that the word “commandments” in the original Hebrew actually means “words.” Basically, the Ten Commandments are God’s Words to His people. Indeed, the very first verse of the Ten Commandments passage in Exodus 20 says, “Then God spoke all these words, saying I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”
When you hear or see the words “The Ten Commandments,” what immediately comes to mind? Do you think of a harsh God who rules with an iron fist? Does your selfishness bristle at the thought of being told what to do? Do you feel like you could never live up to those standards at all times? Are you convinced about where you are falling short? I imagine most of us feel some discomfort when we think of the Ten Commandments.
I don’t know if we respond this way because it’s presented in the Old Testament without the wisdom to see what God is truly doing for the Israelites. Or whether our only impression of the Ten Commandments was the movie starring Charlton Heston, which was about Moses and the Ten Commandments.
Whatever the case, I think it’s important to look at the Ten Commandments from a new perspective. A perspective that highlights a loving God whose intent was to share His “Words” with us, NOT to command His people in the harsh sense of the word.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5:3
Discovering the Love and Wisdom in God’s Commands
“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” Psalm 19:7-8
I am currently reading through the book of Deuteronomy. It’s not an easy book, since it covers all the different laws besides the Ten Commandments. But recently, while reading Deuteronomy 22, my eyes were opened to what God was doing through these additional laws. Basically, the passage was talking about Sundry Laws, which looked out for the safety of others' livestock and for neighbors as well as Laws on Morality, which spoke about proper treatment of virgins and not taking another’s wife. It dawned on me that these supplementary laws were, if you will, bullet points of the ten commandments, listing the proper treatment of your neighbor and proper treatment within marriage, i.e., do not commit adultery.
Reflecting upon this further, all I saw was the love of God teaching, in an applied way, how to follow the ten commandments. These extra laws weren’t meant to be burdensome or to add a weight that no one could bear, but to guide His children by structuring, in a practical sense, how to apply those commands within their own lives. The Lord was protecting His children from the very serious consequences of breaking any of the ten commandments, some of which carried the penalty of death.
We can see God as a loving Father in the commandments and laws. Just like earthly fathers instruct their children in proper behavior so that they will not suffer punishment, chastisement, or low self-esteem, the Lord guides us through “His Words”, those commands He wrote with His finger on the two tablets all those centuries ago. “The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive.” Deuteronomy 6:24
We can see here that God’s commands are wise, life-giving, and meant for our good.
Understanding God’s Heart related to the Commandments
“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.” Jeremiah 31:33
From the first verses of the Bible’s chapter on the Ten Commandments, we can see God’s heart related to the commandments. He is reminding the Israelites that He is THEIR God and they are HIS people. Not only that, He speaks the same thing to modern-day Believers. We are His children, and He desires a relationship with us by being our God. This is not being said in a manner of lordship over us, but in a way that speaks of amazing love.
Years ago, there was a popular column that appeared in newspapers called “Dear Ann Landers”. I seem to recall one where a boy wrote in and said his parents didn’t have any rules for him to follow, and he could do whatever he wanted. The problem for him, though, was that he didn’t feel like they loved him as a result. Her response went something like, " Children need structure to feel their parents' love because it gives them a sense of security and protection, making them feel like the parent wants to keep them safe and protected.
This is a great illustration of God’s heart related to the Ten Commandments. When He says He is our God through these Ten Commandments, we must view Him as the Lord who is our Protector and King. We are safe under His rule. Nothing can harm us, ESPECIALLY when we follow His laws. There is no safer place to be than within the will of God.
The Lord wrote His commandments on our hearts to transform us and help us understand His loving heart toward us. In turn, we show our love to Him by obeying.
How the Commands Reveal God’s Desire for Life
“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live, and that you may love the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 30:19
The best laid plans never seem to work out, ESPECIALLY when conceived in the mind of man without seeking the Lord. Left to our own devices, we follow the easy path. However, the “easy” path often involves shortcuts that break the rules.
Growing up, our family lived close enough to the school that we could walk. Our neighborhood was actually behind the road that led right to the back of the school. However, that would involve going through a person’s beautifully manicured yard, which the owners had made very clear was not permitted. So, instead, the kids in our neighborhood would take the long way around, walking the sidewalk that went along a busy road. One summer day, my friend and I wanted to go hit tennis balls on the school wall. Since her backyard bordered the tempting shortcut, we decided to take our chances and run through it. As a rule follower, even as a child, I was terrified that we would get caught. The whole way to the school, I kept looking back, expecting to see the neighbor running after us, threatening to tell our parents—the moral of the story. Even though we got away with it, I still suffered. I was anxious, had a guilty conscience, and still wondered whether consequences awaited me.
No matter what age we are, when we don’t follow the rules or bend them, it won't make things easier. There will still be consequences in one form or another. Whether in our own minds or actually being caught with ensuing repercussions.
When we choose the right way, that will ALWAYS be the easier way in the end, even if it appears harder at first. The Lord established His commands for us to follow because they are essentially life-giving and bring us blessings. When we adhere to God’s direction, our lives will be that much happier.
When we live our lives as obedient children of God, we are modeling that behavior for our children as well. They see in us a respect for God’s Word and the law. Little eyes are always watching. It’s so important not to let the smallest indiscretion that seems harmless slide, like getting too much change at the cash register and not returning it, justifying in our minds, “oh well, they overcharged me a couple of times in the past. ” Instead, we must do the right thing not only in front of our children, but always, which will pay huge dividends as our children grow into adults. Your family as a whole will enjoy peace and happiness because you are choosing life by loving the Lord with your whole heart and following His commands.
Once sin entered the world, life became complicated. The Lord set His commands so that His children would have clear instructions to follow, ensuring their lives would be blessed. And what’s even more amazing is that God knows our hearts. Even if we stumble in a command, when we return to the Lord in full repentance, He will forgive us and set us back on the right path.
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your order and design in all things. Thank you for loving us so much and for providing commandments for us to follow. In Jesus Name, Amen
Did you discover anything new here about God’s commands that you might not have realized before?
How will this new perspective change your personal view of God’s commands?
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