Abundant Living: The Ten Commandments

Mount Sinai

In Exodus 20, God spoke to the Israelites from Mount Sinai. He reminded them of how He brought them out of slavery in Egypt and how He desires to stay in their presence and to be their Lord God. By God declaring these “rules,” it is as if He is explaining that this relationship requires holiness, and these commandments will guide them in how to live an abundant life, in His presence, with His protection and provision for generations to come. God describes himself in verses 5-6:

“...I am a jealous God, punishing the children for the fathers’ sin, to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments” (vv. 5-6).

1. Do not have other gods before Me.
2. Do not make an idol of anything and bow down to it or worship it.
3. Do not misuse the name of the Lord your God because He punishes those who do that.
4. Remember to dedicate a Sabbath day of rest—do all your work on 6 days, and then set a 7th day apart as a holy day devoted to God. Even the Lord created the heavens and earth, the seas, and everything in them in 6 days and then rested on the 7th day and declared it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother so that you may have a long life.
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. Do not covet, or be jealous, or your neighbor’s house, his wife, his male or female slave, his livestock, or anything that belongs to him.

After God spoke (Exodus 20:1-17), the people were afraid and told Moses that they would listen to Moses, but they were afraid for God to speak to them directly. Moses assured them to not be afraid. Moses explained that God was putting them to a test so they would be afraid, but the fear of God would produce in them an unwillingness to sin. The people remained at a distance from the cloud where God was, but Moses approached the thick darkness where God was so he could receive more instructions and laws.

In Exodus 21-24, and throughout Exodus to chapter 40, God gives instructions to Moses. 

The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to Me on the mountain
and stay there so that I may give you the stone tablets
with the law and commands
I have written for their instruction."
(Exodus 24:12)

(Luke 10:25-28)