Exodus 20:1-20
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Ex. 20:2
God called the Israelites out of Egypt, but He hardened Pharaoh’s heart so He could judge the Egyptians while He led them out. When the Lord sent the ten plagues, the Egyptians were living in sin. They were worshiping many gods instead of the one true God, and each plague represented one of their gods. God sent the ten plagues to show that their gods were powerless. Nothing could alleviate the plague but the one true God.
“You 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, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is mine.” (Ex. 19:4-5) The Israelites experienced firsthand the mysterious and awesome works of God. They saw Him cover the land with blood and lice and frogs and, yet, He kept them safe, and victoriously led them out of captivity, so that they would serve Him. Now, He has promised that if they continue to live in His will, He will consider them a special treasure.
The Ten Commandments were written by God to show the Israelites how to live in His will, and they are valuable even today. The laws given by God show us the secret thoughts and desires of the heart. He knows that the human heart is wicked, and He set His law before the people of Israel, and before us, to guide our actions. His greatest demand is love, inwardly and outwardly. It requires perfect, unfailing, constant obedience…no law in the world allows disobedience to itself. “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:10) The Ten Commandments tell of our duty to God…to worship Him alone, and they state our duty to ourselves and others…to love your neighbors as yourself. God shows His love to us by giving us the Ten Commandments, but we must surrender to what He is saying, and allow it to change our lives so that others can see Him through us.
~ Kimberly Frantz
