The Ten Commandments: First Commandment

Exodus 20:2-3

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. MOSES. David. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to Come.

Today, we're going to start examining the Ten Commandments by looking at each one in detail. But before we begin, let me ask you: what is the purpose of the Old Testament law? I believe there are four main points to consider when answering that question. 

1. The law served as the constitution for the nation of Israel. The “law legislated how Israel was to live in order to be blessed by God and used by him as a kingdom of priests.”[1]
   
   
2. The parts of the law we consider moral statutes are intended for everyone to follow. Societies are built on these principles. President Harry Truman said, “The foundational basis of this nation’s law was given to Moses on the mount. The fundamental basis of our Bill of Rights comes from the teachings we get from Exodus and St. Matthew, from Isaiah and St. Paul.”[2]
   
   
3. In today’s postmodern world, where truth is seen as relative, we must teach our children and show them that God’s law provides the absolutes by which we should live. Parents, that responsibility is yours. Our kids will not hear this in the public arena. Abraham Lincoln famously said, “The philosophy in the schoolroom in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next.”[3]
   
   
4. Most importantly, the law constantly reminds us that we fall short. It clearly reveals our desperate need for a Savior and God’s enabling power to obey. That’s why Paul explains that no one will be made right with God by keeping the law (Rom. 3:19-20; Gal. 2:16). The law “was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24).

Okay—here we go—

Commandment #1: No god but God (Ex. 20:1-6)

God does not speak off the cuff. He never rambles. He never loses his train of thought. He is always straight to the point and on topic.

Three months earlier in Israel’s history, God demonstrated his power over every god Egypt worshiped by sending the ten plagues. And now, he begins his instruction on right living with these words: “I am the Lord your God (Yahweh Elohim) who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:2-3).

It’s easy to imagine idols made of wood, metal, or stone and dismiss this command as irrelevant to our lives. Of course, most of us don’t bow before carved images displayed prominently in our homes. We overlook this first commandment because we’ve convinced ourselves we're obeying it wholeheartedly. Don’t be so quick to think you have no issues with this. Maybe it's time to honestly evaluate your heart.

The statement, “No other gods,” includes no person (including oneself), no thing, no activity, no ideology, no political party, no organization, no philosophy, and no system of theology that is placed in a position of devotion and honor above God. Martin Luther said, “A god is that to which we look for all good and in which we find refuge every time . . . That to which your heart clings and entrusts itself is... really your God.”[4]

So, what does your heart cling to? What do you truly trust in, rely on? That is a question each of us must prayerfully consider. It’s a heart issue that needs to be examined and evaluated daily. We are so easily distracted. Our passions are so easily swayed. 

In his book, Counterfeit Gods, Timothy Keller drives home the point that we might be serving another god without even realizing it. Keller writes,

A counterfeit god is anything so central and essential to your life that, should you lose it, your life would feel hardly worth living. An idol has such a controlling position in your heart that you can spend your passion and energy, your emotional and financial resources, on it without a second thought.[5]

A god could be a relationship, social standing, title or position, intellect, beauty, social media followers and “likes,” politics, a social cause, a theological doctrine, success in business or ministry, houses, cars…the list goes on. Keller says,

An idol is whatever you look at and say, in your heart of hearts, “If I have that, then I’ll feel my life has meaning, then I’ll know I have value, then I’ll feel significant and secure.”[6]

The culture in which Israel lived had gods for everything: fertility gods, rain gods, agricultural gods, sex gods, war gods, and money gods, just to name a few. The prophet Jeremiah said that all idols are “like scarecrows in a cucumber field.” They are lifeless, powerless, speechless, helpless, and useless (Jer. 10:5). All the “gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens” (Ps. 96:5). He is the living God, the Creator, and he does not share his throne with anyone or anything.

The first commandment must constantly serve as a judge for our hearts. If anything in our lives gives us meaning, identity, happiness, or security other than Yahweh Elohim, we are breaking commandment #1. That’s why we need to be in God’s Word to examine our hearts every day. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Read and reflect on Exodus 20:2-3. What truly gives your life meaning?

Talking to God: Ask God to evaluate your heart. Is it in line with the first commandment?

Have questions? Please send your questions to our team. We're happy to assist as we explore God's Word together. Submit your question below, and we'll respond soon. If you're interested in learning more about a relationship with Jesus or seeking spiritual guidance, let us help you take the next step.

THE LIVING GROUNDED YOUTUBE CHANNEL
Check out our Living Grounded YouTube channel. There, you can view all our past series devotionals on Genesis, Job, Isaiah, John, Romans, and Revelation. You can also watch all our podcasts. Be sure to visit, subscribe, and share it with a friend who would benefit from the teachings and podcasts. The more subscribers we have, the greater our reach. Visit the Living Grounded YouTube channel by clicking here.