All written materials for this series will be posted on this website, http://servingandsharing.com/, under the category, “Exodus – God Makes a Way.” All corresponding video presentations may be found on this YouTube playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFXW6HwOySA&list=PL7JRppjEn33ZzlfbuQKdvQQfsrkwm0GC5. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, send a message via the “Contact” button.
Again we’ll start with a broad outline of this section and then go into more detail.
Ex 19-20 Yahweh Establishes His Covenant.
Ex 19:1-8 Covenant Conditions
Ex 19:9-15 Covenant Consecration
Ex 19:16-25 Covenant Commencement
Ex 20:1-17 Covenant Commandments
Ex 20:18-26 Covenant Confirmation
Ex 19:1-8 Covenant Conditions
In ancient Near Eastern covenants between kings and their subjects:
[1] Preamble, [2] Historical Introduction, [3] General Principles for Future Conduct, [4] Specific Stipulations, [5] Divine Witnesses, and [6] Curses for Violations and Blessings for Compliance.
Saved by grace (God’s power), via obedient faith, >>>> His covenant.
“I punished Egyptians, bore you on eagles’ wings, brought to Myself.”
CONDITION: “If you will obey and keep my covenant …”
Treasured possession. Kingdom of priests, pointing to God. 1 Pet 2:9.
A holy nation, set apart, displaying consecration and devotion.
All respond … “We will do it!”
Ex 19:9-15 Covenant Consecration
The glory cloud. Ex 19:16; 24:15, 16; Deut 4:11; Ps 99:7.
Two days’ cleansing and preparation for Yahweh to come down. Why?
What if a person or a beast (even innocently) touched the mountain?
Cf. Uzzah touching the ark to steady it. 2 Sam 6:1-7; 1 Chr 13:9-12.
Priority, only one: “Be ready to meet Yahweh!”
No distractions. A time even for abstinence from sexual relations.
Note Moses’ description 40 years later to the next generation. Dt 5.
As awesome as that was … read Heb 12:18-24 re: our Mount Zion!
Ex 19:16-25 Covenant Commencement
Read this passage and discuss the sights, the sounds, the reactions.
Consider the awe, the fear (terror, reverence), and the trembling.
What would result if they tried to break through and gaze at God?
God had been gracious to them! Saved by grace!
Did that grace reduce the necessity of revering God, or enhance it?
Do we and others revere God and tremble before Him today?
Should we be less in awe of Yahweh than they were, or more in awe?
Ex 20:1-17 Covenant Commandments
20:1-2 Based on Yahweh’s identity, character, authority, and power.
What God is, man must be. What God cannot do, man must not do.
Therefore, there are absolute moral principles here.
Commandments, not suggestions or guidelines for a happy life.
Called “The Ten Words.” Ex 34:28; Dt 4:13; 10:4. “Decalogue.”
Included in the two great commands. Mt 22:34-40; Rom 13:8-10
The OT’s 613 specific commands apply and interpret these 10.
Ex 20:1-17 Covenant Commandments
[1] No other gods. Basis of, and key to, all the other commands.
No “comparative religions” here. One way. One truth. One God.
Monotheism & Trinity: one God in three persons, not three Gods.
“No one can serve two masters.” Mt 6:24. Cf. 1 Cor 8:5-6.
“Greed, which is idolatry.” Eph 5:5; Col 3:5
Self. Pride. Pleasure. Fame. Health. Wealth. Lust. Power. Knowledge.
“Mother Nature.” “Mother Earth.” “The Force.” “Fate.” “The Odds.”
“‘Fortune’ favors the brave.” Matt Damon in current TV ad.
Yet those who speak of the true and living God are silenced!
[2] No idols. Reducing God, replacing His image (man) with another.
Of anything: in heaven, on earth, in the water under the earth.
Yahweh’s holy jealousy. His exclusive rights of ownership.
Both/and. Golden calf (Ex 32) as representing, supplementing Yahweh.
Idolatry’s (sins’) long-term consequences.
The primary sin leading to Israel’s and Judah’s downfall.
Constantly decried and often ridiculed in Scripture. Ps 115:4-8
Evident among pagans throughout history. Rom 1:21-25
Yahweh’s chesed (steadfast love) to all who love and obey Him.
[3] Reverence for His Name.
Mt 6:9 “… hallowed be Your name.’” Jn 17:11 “… power of Your name.”
His Name represents His character. To disrespect one … the other.
Adam. Eve. Cain. Seth. Noah. Abraham. Isaac. Jacob and his sons.
“Take in vain:” swear falsely by (Lev 19:12); blaspheme; treat lightly; profane; make empty.
Lev 24:10-16 Capital offense, death penalty by stoning.
Jews’ attempt to avoid sin by substituting ‘adonai (“Lord”).
“Oh my God / gosh / goodness / heavens,” “Jeez,” etc.
[4] The Sabbath Day.
Balance of work, worship, and rest. Special devotion to things of God.
Connected to the six-day creation. Ex 20:11; Gen 2:2-3; Ex 31:17
The principle was rooted in creation, the practice only for OT Israel.
Capital offense, death penalty by stoning. Ex 31:14; Num 15:32-36
Such “shadow” practices are not required of Christians. Col 2:16-17
Our “Sabbath Day” – our rest in heaven after our work. Heb 4:9-11
The “Lord’s Day” is never called, or treated as, the “Christian Sabbath.”
Yet it IS the Lord’s Day! Discuss.
[5] Honor for Parents. Transition from God (1-4) to others (5-10).
Why begin with parents and children? Discuss the value of the family.
“The first command with a promise.” Long, effective life. Eph 6:1-3
Esteem, elevate, hold in high regard. Ex 21:15-17; Lev 19:32; Pr 23:22
Younger children, to obey their parents’ instruction.
Older children, to provide for their parents’ care and needs. Mt 15:1-9
Relate respect for parents to respect for God and human authorities.
How does family play into aging and dying?
How does society view the elderly today?
[6] Prohibition of murder.
What gives human life its value? Gen 1:26-27; 9:6; Jas 3:8-10
Does this command mean, “Go ahead and hate. Just don’t kill?”
Are these commandments primarily or only external? What about #10?
How did Jesus explain the intent of this command? Mt 5:21-26
The OT condemns premeditated murder as a capital crime (Num 35:16-21). It distinguishes accidental homicide (Num 35:6, 22-28), justifiable homicide in self-defense (Ex 22:2), capital punishment (Gen 9:6), police action (Ex 32:27), and justified war (Ex 17:8-16).
Concerns re: abortion, suicide, active euthanasia.
[7] Prohibition of adultery.
Command to keep marriage intact by forbidding adultery.
Compare adultery (marriage covenant) to idolatry (God’s covenant).
What has happened to marriage and sexual fidelity in our culture?
To divorce one and marry another does not legitimize adultery.
Adultery: both a cause and an effect of failed marriages.
Why does a married man or woman choose to commit adultery?
How can married couples prevent adultery?
His Needs Her Needs: Building an Affair-Proof Marriage, Harley
[8] Prohibition of theft.
Increase in looting, breaking into stores, home invasions, car thefts.
Why do people steal? What do they steal besides money and things?
They steal others’ reputations, promotions, joy, and peace (gossip).
Fear and love of God: the greatest deterrents to theft and crime.
Not enough laws, police, courts, or prisons to replace that fear.
Retribution: the high cost of stealing. Ex 22:1-15; Pr 6:30-31; Lk 19:8
What theft story did Nathan tell David re: adultery? 2 Sam 12:1-6
Was it – is it today – possible to steal from God? How? Mal 3:8-15
Antidote: Eph 4:28
[9] Prohibition of false witness.
Lying, specifically in court against a defendant.
Among the things Yahweh hates: a false witness who utters lies, and one who spreads strife among brothers. Pr 6:19
Prevention: 2 or 3 witnesses. Dt 17:6-7; 19:15; Num 35:30
Some circumvented that prevention by hiring multiple false witnesses!
Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth (1 Kg 21:1-10); Jesus (Mt 26:59-68).
In the court of life: slander. Col 3:8
“Lay aside falsehood. Speak truth!” Eph 4:25
[10] Prohibition of coveting.
A selfish, ungoverned, inordinate desire for what belongs to another.
“If I could take it, and get away with it, I would!”
Achan: “I saw it, I coveted it, I took it, and I hid it.” Josh 7:20-21
Jas 4:2 You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel …
Coveting is the motive for breaking the previous commands. Coveting causes murder, adultery, theft, and false witness!
Paul’s summary: “Love does no harm to a neighbor.” Rom 13:8-10
Love is the key and the cure!
Ex 20:18-26 Covenant Confirmation
20:18-19 If you saw what they saw, heard what they heard, and felt what they felt … wouldn’t you have reacted as they reacted?
20:20 “Do not be afraid; this is a test … that fear of Him may remain.”
“That you may not sin!” The fear of God prevents sin! Without it …
Pagan altars – the work of men’s hands, with elaborate craftsmanship, elevated platforms, and staircases. Yahweh’s altar – the work of His hands, using only earth and uncut stones. Cf. Dt 25:5-7.
Nothing to resemble any specific, earthly object of worship.
If priests ascended steps, their long garments might have become caught, “exposing their nakedness.”
