Understanding the Ten Commandments

Read

Study objective: See that the commandments come after God’s rescue and as part of a covenant relationship.

Reading: Exodus 19:1–8 · Exodus 20:1–2

Background and context

Israel arrives at Sinai three months after leaving Egypt. God reminds them how he carried them “on eagles’ wings” and offers a covenant: they will be his treasured possession. Only then does he speak the commandments.

Observe

• God reminds the people what he has done before telling them what to do (19:4).
• The offer is relationship: “you shall be my own possession” (19:5).
• The people answer, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do” (19:8).
• The commandments open with “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out” (20:2).

Words, people and events to notice

Covenant

A binding commitment between God and his people. The commandments are the terms of the Sinai covenant. Exodus 19:5 · Exodus 34:28

Understand

1. Why might it matter that rescue comes before commandments?
2. What does God promise Israel in Exodus 19:5-6?
3. How would you describe the relationship the commandments assume?

Connect

• Deuteronomy 5:1–6

  Moses repeats the setting forty years later.

Reflect

1. Do you think of God’s commands as a burden or as part of a relationship?
2. What has God already done for you that comes before anything he asks?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• The commandments are given to a people already rescued.
• They describe life in relationship with God.

Read

Study objective: Study the commandments concerning God: no other gods, no idols, honouring his name, and the Sabbath.

Reading: Exodus 20:3–11

Background and context

Jewish, Catholic and Lutheran, and Orthodox and Reformed traditions divide and number the commandments in slightly different ways, but the content is the same. The first commandments concern God himself; the Sabbath command gives a weekly rest to everyone, including servants, foreigners and animals.

Observe

• “You shall have no other gods before me” (20:3).
• Images for worship are forbidden (20:4-6).
• God’s name is not to be misused (20:7).
• The Sabbath rest includes servants, animals and foreigners (20:10).

Words, people and events to notice

Sabbath

The seventh day of rest. Exodus grounds it in creation; Deuteronomy in the rescue from slavery. Exodus 20:11 · Deuteronomy 5:15

Understand

1. What might count as “other gods” in a modern life?
2. Why is the Sabbath extended to servants and foreigners?
3. How do the reasons for the Sabbath differ in Exodus 20:11 and Deuteronomy 5:15?

Connect

• Mark 2:27

  Jesus: the Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.

• 1 John 5:21

  “Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”

Reflect

1. What competes with God for first place in your life?
2. What would a regular rhythm of rest look like for you?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• God alone is to be worshipped.
• Rest is a gift for everyone, including the vulnerable.

Read

Study objective: Study the commandments concerning other people: parents, life, marriage, property, truth and desire.

Reading: Exodus 20:12–17

Background and context

The second part of the commandments protects family, life, marriage, property, reputation and the heart. The last commandment, against coveting, reaches beneath action to desire.

Observe

• Honouring parents comes with a promise (20:12).
• Murder, adultery and stealing protect life, marriage and property (20:13-15).
• False testimony harms a neighbour’s name and justice in court (20:16).
• Coveting concerns what happens inside a person (20:17).

Words, people and events to notice

Covet

To desire what belongs to someone else, in a way that can lead to taking it.

Understand

1. Why do you think coveting is included among actions like murder and theft?
2. How do these commandments protect the vulnerable?
3. What does honouring parents involve, and what does it not require?

Connect

• Leviticus 19:18

  Love your neighbour as yourself.

• Romans 7:7

  Paul says the command “You shall not covet” showed him his own heart.

Reflect

1. Which of these commandments speaks most to your life now?
2. Where do you see coveting in your culture or your own heart?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• The commandments protect life, family, property, truth and the heart.
• Obedience starts with desire, not only actions.

Read

Study objective: See how Jesus and the apostles read the commandments, deepening and summing them up in love.

Reading: Matthew 5:17–30 · Matthew 22:34–40 · Romans 13:8–10

Background and context

Jesus says he came not to abolish the law but to fulfil it, and then deepens commandments about murder and adultery to anger and lust. Asked for the greatest commandment, he names love for God and love for neighbour. Paul says love fulfils the law. Christians differ on how the Old Testament law applies today, but they agree that these commandments express God’s will.

Observe

• Jesus came to fulfil, not abolish, the law (Matthew 5:17).
• He applies “do not murder” to anger and insult (5:21-22).
• He sums up the law in two commands (22:37-40).
• Paul lists commandments and sums them up in love (Romans 13:9-10).

Words, people and events to notice

Fulfil

To complete or bring to its intended goal. Jesus uses it of his relation to the law and the prophets. Matthew 5:17

Understand

1. How does Jesus deepen the commandments in Matthew 5:21-30?
2. Why might love be the fulfilment of the law (Romans 13:10)?
3. How do the two great commandments relate to the two parts of the Ten?

Connect

• Jeremiah 31:33

  The promise of God’s law written on the heart.

Reflect

1. Which commandment do you keep outwardly but not inwardly?
2. How could love for neighbour shape a decision this week?

Key takeaways

Editorial summary, not Scripture.

• Jesus deepens the commandments to the heart.
• Love for God and neighbour sums up the law.