Exodus 20
BBCExodus 20:1
B. The Ten Commandments (Chap. 20)The Ten Commandments were divided by the Lord Jesus into two sections, one covering love to God and the other covering love to one’s neighbor (Mat_22:37-40). Some suggest that the first four commandments teach love to God, while others add the fifth. The expression “The LORD your God” is found in the first five commandments.
I. 20:1-3 Have no other gods. This is a prohibition against the worship of many gods (polytheism) or against the worship of any other god except Jehovah.
II. 20:4-6 Use no carved image. Not only the worship of idols but their manufacture is forbidden. This includes pictures, images, and statues used in worship. It does not, however, include all pictures or statues, since the tabernacle contained carved cherubim. Also, God told Moses to make a serpent of brass (Num_21:8). The commandment undoubtedly refers to pictures or images of deity. God is a jealous Godthat is, jealous of the worship and love of His people. He visits the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations, through inherited weaknesses, poverty, diseases, and shortened lifespan. But God’s mercy endures to thousands (of generations) of those who love Him and keep His commandments.
III. 20:7 Taking God’s name . . . in vain is forbidden. This means to swear by God’s name that a false statement is actually true. It could also include profanity, cursing, minced oaths, or swearing to a promise and failing to fulfill it.
IV. 20:8-11 Remember the Sabbath day. First mentioned in Gen_2:1-3, and enjoined in connection with the gathering of manna (Ex. 16), the Sabbath was now formally given to the nation of Israel for strict observance. It was a picture of the rest which believers now enjoy in Christ and which a redeemed creation will enjoy in the Millennium. The Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday. Nowhere in the NT are Christians commanded to keep the Sabbath.
V. 20:12 Honor father and mother. To honor here means to obey. The verse teaches that a life of obedience to parents is the type of life which, in general, insures length of days. A life of disobedience and sin often leads to premature death. This is the first commandment with a promise attached (Eph_6:2). It teaches respect for authority.
VI. 20:13 You shall not murder. This refers specifically to murder and not to capital punishment or to manslaughter. The command teaches respect for human life.
VII. 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. This prohibition teaches respect for marriage, and warns against exploiting another person’s body. It may cover all forms of unlawful sexual behavior.
VIII. 20:15 You shall not steal. This refers to any act by which a person wrongfully deprives another person of his property. It teaches respect for private property.
IX. 20:16 You shall not bear false witness. This commandment forbids damaging the character of another person by making statements which are not true, and thus possibly causing him to be punished or even executed. It teaches respect for a person’s reputation.
X. 20:17 You shall not covet. The tenth commandment passes from acts to thoughts, and it shows that it is sinful to lust after anything that God never intended one to have. Paul states that this commandment produced deep conviction of sin in his life (Rom_7:7). 20:18-21 After the Ten Commandments were given, the people were terrified by the manifestations of the divine Presence. They were afraid they would die if God spoke to them directly, so Moses became their mediator. 20:22-26 The purpose of the Law of Moses was to show the people their sinfulness. Next, God graciously gave instructions for the erection of an altar, reminding the people that sinners can approach God only on the ground of shed blood. The altar speaks of Christ as the way of approach to God. Man could contribute nothing to the perfection of Christ, either by the tools of personal effort or the steps of human achievement. Priests ascending steps in long, flowing garments might accidentally expose themselves in a manner that would be inappropriate for such a solemn occasion.