"I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD"
So begin the words to both accounts of the Ten Commandments written in Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21.

"I am the Lord your God,
1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
3. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
4. Honor you father and mother.
5. You shall not kill.
6. You shall not commit adultery.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness.
9. You shall not covet your neighbor's house.
10. You shall not covet you neighbor's wife, or his manservant, or his maidservant, or his ox, or his ass, or anything that is your neighbor's."

For centuries lay people, pastors, bishops, and theologians have looked at this list and talked about the Commandments as the Law. Many have said that the Old Testament is Law and the New Testament is Gospel. Even the titles we give to our two sections of the Bible seem rather prejudicial.

Imagine that you are in the grocery store. You are in the aisle where you find the laundry detergent, and you reach for you favorite brand, "Sudso." But as you reach down, you are surprised to find the old familiar box of "Sudso" and right next to it a different box that says "NEW SUDSO."

As you read the box that says "NEW SUDSO," you see that there are more whiteners, more brighteners, and less toxic wastes. Why would you use the "old Sudso" when you can have the "NEW SUDSO?" You wouldn't. I think it is the same with the Old and New Testament. Why read the "Old" when you can have the "New?"

We get the impression that the Old Testament is nothing but rules and regulations that must be kept in order to earn or achieve salvation. But in the New Testament, we are told that all you have to do is believe in Jesus and you will have salvation. So why in the world wouldn't you choose the New Testament? That may be the common perception of the Old Testament and the Commandments, but it is incorrect. That's right, "INCORRECT!" The way to salvation has not changed one bit from Genesis to Revelation.

"Prove it!" you say.

"I will!" say I.

Study Questions

1. In the book of Exodus, which event happened first: the giving of the Ten Commandments or the liberation from Egypt?
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That proves conclusively that salvation has always been by God's grace and not by anything that people do.

So what then is the purpose of the Commandments?

2. What is the biblical word for testament, treaty, vow, or promise? (see Exodus 31:16 for some help)
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At Sinai, God announced to his people, "I am the Lord your God, I brought you out of Egypt," (That's God's part of the promise. Our part comes in Deuteronomy 28:1-2.)

3. What do Deuteronomy 28:1-2 and 28:15 tell us the results will be for those who listen to God's voice and keep the Commandments? And those who do not hear God's voice and fail to keep the Commandments?
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You see, God told Israel that he saved them from bondage in Egypt, and God tells us that he saves us from bondage to sin and death. God gives us the Commandments as the way that we can respond to his loving grace for Israel and for us. God did and continues to do his part. Now it is up to us.

There are Ten Commandments, and these Commandments can be divided into two parts or two tables.

4. Which Commandment do you see as the end to the First Table, and which do you see as the beginning of the Second Table?
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5. The First Table deals with my relationship to whom?
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The Second Table deals with my relationship to whom?
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6. What is the first Commandment, and why is it the most important of the ten?
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7. In Exodus 3:13 Moses asked God what his name was. The Second Commandment deals with using and misusing God's name. How do we take anyone's name, especially God's name, in vain?
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8. How would we use anyone's name, especially God's name, in the right way?
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9. The Third Commandment deals with the Sabbath and keeping it "holy." What does the word "holy" mean, and how do we keep the Sabbath holy?
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Next month we will look at the last seven Commandments. Take a look at them and get a feel for what lies ahead.

PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for delivering us from bondage to sin and death. Without your liberating power, we would still be slaves. But you have freed us and made us your children. Help us to respond to your loving grace daily. Help us to remember that you are the only God there is, that we are to call on you in prayer, praise, and thanksgiving, and that we should set aside one special day every week on which we may publicly give you thanks and praise. We thank you for your past blessings, and we pray that you will continue to bless us. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

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