The Ten Commandments.
Wow, I can’t believe that this is already the 6th week of Bible study! I wonder if the mob that Moses led through the desert and across the gap in the Red Sea and up to the foot of the mountain stopped in wonder, and thought “wow, I can’t believe that we’ve made it this far!” I don’t recall reading that, do you? We can all learn a lesson of the importance of stopping to reflect and be grateful.
That actually is a good place to transition into the reading for today, specifically thinking of that 4th command which says to practice setting aside a day to reflect and be grateful, it’s called the sabbath.
Exodus 20 is the chapter in which the commands of God to His people are given. Most of us have heard of these, although we may not be able to recite them. Further, just like Israel, we’re not able to keep them. And THAT is the point! That was the WHOLE POINT of the rules. They were there to show us how we are incapable of holiness. That is the why!
What really stood out to me today was at the end of this chapter, first I want to lead up to it by reviewing the rules God put into place. They come in 2 sections.
The first four are about your relationship with God and how you should behave in that relationship. God wants to be a solo act in our lives. No other gods. (Think of all of the things that take up our time, that we use our talents on, and where we spend our treasures. That might be our god.) No idols. Protect God’s name. And set aside the Sabbath to honor who He is and what He has done.
The second half are rules that help us live well in community. Honor your parents. Don’t kill people. Intimacy is only with your spouse. Don’t steal. Don’t lie. Don’t be jealous.
Jesus summed these rules up by telling us to love God and love people in Matthew 22. That works doesn’t it! If we lived every day loving God with all that we have and loved people with all that God has given us, it would be a really good life. But sin. And here is where we need the blood of Christ to cover and atone for us. Am I right?
What stood out to me from this reading was what followed. The people were shaking in their sandals at the dramatic display of the power of God and Moses said, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that you may not sin.” (vs. 21) Now this is telling…… “The people stood FAR OFF, while Moses drew near to… where God was.”
Are you standing far off or are you drawing near?
Skipping down to vs 24 God tells them to make an altar and worship Him with sacrifices.
In every place that we worship in sincerity and humility God will meet us, and He will bless us. Just as Moses drew near to God, God blessed Moses.
All of this chapter tells me I need the God who loves me and invites me to come near to Him.
I pray for you today, that God’s test in your life shows you that you need Him and are compelled to draw near to Him and worship. I pray that He will follow through with what His Word says and come to you and bless you.
