Another Look at "The Big Ten"

Exodus 20:3-17  Thousands of authors have written about this portion of scripture but a dream about the relevance of the fifth commandment to this writer's own family has sparked the desire for to revisit the meanings of these very first, basic societal rules for the people of God.

As is often the case in Scripture, we see the pattern of topics of greater impact receiving first mention.

This appears to be the case with this basic set of rules given by God to Moses for His people.

1.  Do not commit which could be referred to as "spiritual idolatry". It has to do the with a person's choice of what his/her places the greatest value on. That is, what is a person's first and greatest love. Our Lord Jesus even referred to this rule stating that it is the greatest of all the commandments. Matthew 22:37

"...Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment..."

2.  Do not commit which could be referred to as "material idolatry" and has to do with the construction of physical objects that purport to represent God and are made to be reverenced as such. The obvious primary example of such sinful activity would seem to be the creation of statues of human likeness which are intended to be objects to draw spiritual focus. This particular, second command and the context of scripture does not limit such creations solely to human statues. In fact, three sources of ideas for the creation of idolatrous objects are listed - images of anything from "heaven above" or on the earth or in any/all bodies of water. The example of Moses' brother Aaron's creation of a golden calf would be merely one of many.

The largest denomination in christendom, catholicism, may be the most well known Christian tradition that engages in the frequent use of symbolic objects. There are groups who consider that activity a violation of the second commandment but, as wisely stated in the 787 AD councel of Nicea, distinction must be made between "veneration" and "worship". In other words, religious art including images that are intended to promote reverence for the Holy are not included by the prohibition against "material idolatry".  

3.  Do not blaspheme. Interestingly at present this may be most commonly violated commandment and is especially prevalent in the western hemisphere where Christianity has flourished the most in the last two centuries. The definition of this particular sin is clearly described in the 7th verse of Exodus 20.

It is the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that is so frequently abused, yet there is special mention of this particular sin found in three of the Gospels, including Matthew 12:31-32 quoted here:

"...Therefore I say to you, all kinds of sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, neither in this world, nor in the world to come...."

Much more can be written about this apparently enigmatic statement by our Lord Himself and His incredible grace cannot be overstated in His willingness to forgive which in light of His Holiness is such a grievous sin.

4.  Remember the Sabbath Day. With this commandment the scripture reminds us of His desire that we follow His divine plan and pattern to work and create for six days and rest on the seventh just as He did when He created the universe.

The seven day week is not a natural astronomical cycle. A few societies have attempted (and failed) to establish other cycles yet historically the seven-day week has become nearly universal for all modern economic, governmental, and social organizations. In all of scripture the number seven represents God's perfection and in the seven day cycle His hand in the affairs of all men couldn't be more clearly seen.

5.  Honor your father and your mother. The author finds it fascinating that this particular commandment is placed ahead of the next four which most people would consider the most grevious of sins. The importance of this rule is also reflected in its following statement as it pertains to ones longevity of life!  It strongly implies that a life of dishonor against one's parents would lead to premature death by inclusion of the statement "...that your days may be long in the land which the Lord your God is giving you...".

A strong argument could be made that continuation of conflict through resentment and disconnection with one's parents is a contributor to poor mental and even physical health. Although familial conflict is not at all uncommon it's clearly displeasing to our Lord. The most intense battles involving the peoples of the middle east nations can be traced back to generational roots of family conflict. Ephesians 4:31-32 is relevant:

"...Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and blasphemies, with all malice, be taken away from you and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you..."

6.  You shall not murder. The wrongness of that sin needs no explanation. Interestingly the first murder ever committed was perpetrated by the first child born to Adam & Eve, the first humans created directly by God.

7.  You shall not commit adultery. The establishment of the marriage relationship between a man and a woman had occurred very early in the development of the human race well before the birth of Moses.

In fact, The very fist humans created in God's image were set up as partners - husband and wife.

Adultery is what may be the most extreme form of betrayal and causes severe injury to every person involved.

It has detrimental effects on all three components of a person's being as it harms spirit, soul and body.

It's no accident that it is listed immediately after the sin of murder.

8.  You shall not steal.  The wrongness of that sin also needs no explanation. It too is a form of betrayal that causes great harm to every party involved.

9.  You shall not lie. An archaic and poetic form of the term is "to bear false witness".

To lie is follow the same pattern as the chief of all demonic forces itself which goes by several names, perhaps the most familiar name being "Satan".  Excerpt of John 8:44, the words of Christ Himself:

"...the devil...He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies..."

Lying truly is a grievous sin involving deceitfulness, dishonesty and betrayal. It harms both the giver and receiver of false information. A scripture that reaffirms the truth that all humans are in need of redemption mentions the particular sin of lying.  Romans 3:4 -  "...Let God be true, and every man a liar...".

10. You shall not covet.  Desiring to possess that which others have or to envy.

This particular sin, not insignificantly the last one listed, is unique and different from the first nine which all involve the actions one takes in life. Coveting could legitimately be called a "thought crime". It often precedes and motivates the commission of other sins but involves no action in and of itself.

So why did God include it in the same list of basic rules as other sinful actions which may seem to be the most grievous of all? The ten commandments have remained a foundational bedrock of moral reasoning for a very long time having been received by Moses about 34 centuries ago (!)

At the very least the inclusion of the sin of coveting seems to be a reminder to everyone of our continuous basic need of grace and redemption which can be received through faith in Christ.