These
words – known as the 10 commandments (ref: Deuteronomy 5:7-21) are
fundamentally about ensuring we are in a right relationship with God and that
we stay there. They are words that haven’t been superseded by time or technology
but remain with us as basic human rights in our modern society.
The
author J. Johns in his book titled “10 Words” was incredibly helpful in helping
me see the relevance and connectability of these ancient, yet modern
God-commands. The first three commandments deal with what we might call the
focus of trust:
·
The First Commandment tells God's people, then and now,
that we are to have no other gods, and reminds us that there is only one person
– the Lord – who we can safely trust.
·
The Second Commandment rejects idolatry and in doing so
sounds the warning that God's people must trust him alone, and not hedge their
bets by trusting other powers.
·
The Third Commandment is about misusing the name of God.
It's easy to think of it as nothing more than prohibiting curses and
blasphemies. In reality it prohibits any attempt to manipulate God by binding
or commanding him to do our will, as if we were magicians conjuring up a genie.
·
When we turn to the Fourth Commandment on ‘Sabbath
keeping’ we shift from the focus of trust to the practicalities of living out
that trust in every sphere of life. So keeping the Sabbath is in reality a
deliberate standing aside from that universal temptation to work ceaselessly,
instead deciding to stop and refresh.
·
The Fifth Commandment, which deals with honouring our
parents, is also linked to trust. After all, if we don't believe that God is in
control of our lives it is all too easy to neglect our families in pursuit of
other priorities and distractions.
·
The Sixth Commandment – that we do not murder – also
assumes a trusting relationship to God. It’s here where we learn to say, ‘I
will not take the law into my own hands because I trust you O Lord to be the
judge’.
·
The Seventh Commandment condemns sexual misbehaviour. By
keeping our lives pure we express our trust that, whether in singleness or in
marriage, God will supply all our needs.
·
With its prohibition of stealing, the Eighth Commandment
encourages a similar trusting contentment towards material possessions; what we
have been given by God is enough.
·
The Ninth Commandment is again underlain by the concept
of trusting God; we don’t need to lie because the Lord of our lives is Truth.
·
And finally in the Tenth Commandment’s prohibition of
coveting, we see the fullest expression of trust; I will be content with all
that I have because the Lord supplies all I really need.
Jesus
didn’t dismiss these words but added some practical application for the New
Testament believers to build upon. His Sermon on the Mount (Mat 5:3-12) launches
9 Beatitudes or statements of an inner joy or peace that comes from being right
with God. He serves these statements out with the words “Blessed are…”.
As
we’ve discovered, these 10 words are a relational directive from a Father to
his people. They’re not mere suggestions but are clear commands. If we follow
and adhere to them we discover a greater, more significant journey through this
life.
Jim Jung
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