5/11/2008

The Ten Commandments

Exodus 19:1-20:26
I. Context
Who are the main characters in this passage? What do we know about them?

The Lord is by far the main character of this passage, as it is he who speaks the Ten Commandments to Moses
(Chapter 20) and who initiates the covenant relationship between himself and the Israelites. The Lord has shown
himself to be trustworthy in the keeping of his promises to the people as well as generous, compassionate and
patient in his responses to the people's grumbling and complaining along the journey from Egypt to Sinai. Moses,
the Lord's ambassador, not only receives the messages from the Lord but also conveys them to the people. We
have seen Moses develop in maturity from a hesitant shepherd to the obedient leader of a nation. He has shown
himself to be trustworthy, both in the eyes of the Lord and of the people.

When does this passage take place?

The beginning of Chapter 19 tells us that the Israelites entered the Desert of Sinai exactly 3 months after leaving
Egypt. This would have been approximately in the middle of Sivan, the third month of the Hebrew calendar,
which covered the end of May and the first part of June.

Where does this passage take place?

This passage takes place in the Desert of Sinai, the valley area surrounding Mt. Sinai. Ryrie estimates that this
region was approximately 2.5 miles long by .5 miles wide and would have been large enough for the nation of
Israel to camp in while the events of these passages took place. Also, they are near Mt. Sinai, as God saw it
necessary to have limits put up around its base to prevent encroachment by the people. (19:12)

What is going on? (Summary of Events)

The Israelites arrive at the foot of Mt. Sinai exactly three months after leaving Egypt. Moses meets with God at
the mountain and God extends his covenant to Moses and the people that if they obeyed the Lord and kept his
covenant, then they would be God's treasured posession (19:5). Moses relayed this to the people who agreed to
this covenant and then they spent the next few days preparing to meet with the Lord. They consecrated themselves
as Moses instructed them to do. Then, on the third day, the Lord descended upon Mt. Sinai in a dense cloud with
peals of thunder and a loud trumpet blast. Moses led the people, trembling and afraid, to the base of the mountain
to meet with God. Moses spoke, standing with the people, and the voice of God answered him and called him to
the top. Moses approached the Lord and the Lord sent him back to the people to warn them not to touch the
mountain and to bring Aaron up with him when he returned. And Moses did as the Lord said. (19:1-25)
The Lord then spoke the Ten Commandments: (1) You shall have no other gods before me, (2) Do not make or
worship any idols, (3) Do not misuse the name of the Lord, (4) Remember the Sabbath by keeping it holy, (5)
Honor your father and mother, (6) You shall not murder, (7) You shall not commit adultery, (8) You shall not
steal, (9) You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor, (10) You shall not covet your neighbor's house,
wife, servants, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to him. After they heard these things, the people were afraid
and asked Moses not to have God speak again. Then Moses approached God on the mountain and God gave him
further instructions on how they should and should not build an altar to him. (20:1-26)
II. Interpretation
What principles are illustrated in this passage? What would you consider the theme of this passage?

What do we learn of God's character based upon the types and nature of these laws? Does this passage point us toward or
connect with Christ? If so, how?

Discuss how the focus of the commandments starts with God's sovereignty, then moves to how man is to behave toward
God, then how man is to behave toward his family, then others.

III. Application
The first commandment lays the foundation for the rest of the law. In fact, Jesus in Matthew 22:36-40 says this is the
"greatest commandment." How much more, then, should we focus on this commandment as the foundation for our walk
with Christ. When we place God's glory at the very top of our priority list, it's amazing how the rest of our list seems to
fall into place.
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