The Ten Commandments: Introduction

Exodus 19

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

The Israelites were free. After their miraculous crossing of the Red Sea, they saw God continue to go before them in a column of smoke and fire. God also provided daily manna from heaven and guided them to water sources. After traveling for three months, they arrived at the Sinai Desert and set up camp near Mount Sinai. Moses knew this wilderness well because he spent forty years herding his father-in-law’s sheep in the area. 

With Israel camped in front of the mountain, “Moses went up to God” and “the Lord called to him out of the mountain” (Ex. 19:3). Here’s what God said:

Exodus 19:3-6
“Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel: ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.” 

When the people heard the words from God they said in unison, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do” (Ex. 19:8). God told Moses, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever” (Ex. 19:9). Moses called the Israelites together and prepared them to hear from God (Ex. 19:9-15).

Try to imagine what it was like on that day. Exodus 19:16-25 describes the scene in which God descended to deliver the Ten Commandments, a summary of the law.

Barriers were set up around the mountain to prevent anyone from trying to approach God. Thunder roared, lightning lit up the sky, and a thick cloud covered the mountain. A trumpet sounded so loudly that the people trembled. Mount Sinai was “wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire.” The whole mountain shook, and the trumpet blast grew “louder and louder.” 

We often think Moses went up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments. But here, we see that God spoke the commandments to all the people. In fact, notice what happens after the Ten Commandments are given.

Exodus 20:18-21
Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die.” Moses said to the people, “Do not fear, for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin.” The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where God was. 

After giving the law directly to the people, Moses and Joshua were permitted to go up the mountain to meet with God (Ex. 24:13-18). It was then that God inscribed his law on tablets of stone.

The law that God gave to Moses (the Mosaic law) was divided into three parts:

• Civil law: Day-to-day law for the nation of Israel.
• Ceremonial law: Instructions for the sacrificial system.
• Moral law: Guidelines for our relationship with God and others.

The moral law is summarized in the Ten Commandments (decalogue—"ten words"), with the first four commandments focusing on our relationship with God and the remaining six on our relationship with others. 

• Commandments 1-4: Our relationship with God.
• Commandments 5-10: Our relationship with others. 

The Ten Commandments form the preamble of God’s charter with the new nation of Israel. The NET Bible is very helpful in explaining the essence of the law and its application for us today.

For Israel:
…When Israel entered into covenant with God, they entered into a theocracy by expressing their willingness to submit to his authority. The Law was the binding constitution for the nation of Israel under Yahweh their God . . . The Law legislated how Israel was to live in order to be blessed by God and used by him as a kingdom of priests. In the process of legislating their conduct and their ritual for worship, the Law revealed God. It revealed the holiness of Yahweh as the standard for all worship and service, and in revealing that it revealed or uncovered sin . . ..

For Us Today:
The NT teaches that the Law was good, and perfect, and holy. But it also teaches that Christ was the end (goal) of the Law, that it ultimately led to him. It was a pedagogue, Paul said, to bring people to Christ. And when the fulfillment of the promise came in him, believers were not to go back under the Law. What this means for Christians is that what the Law of Israel revealed about God and his will is timeless and still authoritative over faith and conduct, but what the Law regulated for Israel in their existence as the people of God has been done away with in Christ. The Ten Commandments reveal the essence of the Law; the ten for the most part are reiterated in the NT because they reflect the holy and righteous nature of God. The NT often raises them to a higher standard, to guard the spirit of the Law as well as the letter.[1]

Next time, we will start exploring the Ten Commandments—God’s laws for his people—and see how they relate to us today. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD 
Read and reflect on Exodus 19. Imagine being at the foot of a shaking mountain and hearing the voice of God.

Talking to God: The Israelites said, “All that the LORD has spoken we will do.” Ask God to help you obey that promise too. We, of course, will see that Israel quickly forgot their commitment.

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.

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