God's Top 10 List

Exodus 20: 1-21

So here it comes- God lays down the law to Moses. Ten fairly succinct rules to govern their lives. While the laws themselves aren't very wordy- the principles are far encompassing- and on occasion, even ambiguous.

As a prelude God tells Moses or the people- the logistics are a bit hard to ascertain- I'm your God- I brought you out of slavery in Egypt...

Then He gets to the nuts and bolts.
From the top: 1) You shall have no other gods before me. Interesting he doesn't say don't worship false gods- He says, don't put them first. Is he simply staving off an argument irrelevant to his current message? You and I know there aren't any other gods- but just in case you wonder...don't worship the gods you imagine are there. Why not just make it plain?...there's Me- and that's it.

2)Those idol things? Not so much. What I find interesting here is that he says don't make any idols. And then he says- don't bow down to them. If I don't make them, how can I bow down to them? Maybe he realizes that people will still make them despite His proclamation- so if you stumble across renegade idol-makers and their illegal sculptures- don't bow down to them. Or maybe he knew that there were some in existence among the people already. Don't make them- and don't bow down to the ones that are already there.

On this one He explains Himself. I'm jealous. If I'm sinned against by people that hate Me- I'll punish three/four generations down the line - but if you love me and keep my commandments- I'll show love to thousands of generations. It's easy to focus on the harrowing first half of this statement- God's wrath- but compare the level of punishment to the level of affection and in many ways- God's jealousy expresses His love for us. I love you- please love Me back.

3) Don't misuse the Lord's name. This reads differently in the NIV. Does it mean don't misrepresent the Lord's will. Don't say "God commands this" when He really doesn't? Don't say your suffering is because of your sin, Job, when it really isn't? I think it has more to do with the idea expressed more clearly in other translations. The Message reads "No using the name of God, your God, in curses or silly banter." Even this is ambiguous- does that mean expressions like "Oh my God" or "G-damn" are out of bounds? How about "Lordy, Lordy"? Or would misusing His name deal specifically with "Jehovah"? Some would even argue (I believe foolishly) that this would even prohibit things like "Gosh, golly, gee-whiz," and the like. Whatever the specifics- God's name is not something to be trifled with. He specifies that no one who misuses His name will be found guiltless.

4) Don't forget the Sabbath- keep it holy. I like this law. Relax! I tend to have several sabbath's a week- after all, you can't obey God's law too much...right?

Actually they're told to labor for six days and take a day off- but that day off is a day off for everyone- servants, animals, children- aliens within your gates-no work allowed. He explains that this mimics the creation of the world. Be God-like, rest on the 7th day.

5) Honor Mom and Dad. Why? So that you may live long in the land God is giving you. Would that be because if you honor them you'll get their wisdom and you'll live longer? Or maybe, if you don't, I'll strike you down? Or- I won't give you the land if you don't obey me?

6-9) straightforward and brief- No murder, no adultery, no stealing, no false testimony against your neighbor.

Interesting wording on this last one- not don't lie- but no false testimony. So in court be honest? Once again- The Message is a little clearer- Don't tell lies about your neighbor. So it seems to incorporate both lying and gossipping.

10) Ix-nay on the coveting. Not your neighbor's house, wife, servant, ox, donkey, or anything your neighbor owns. In short, be satisfied with your own blessings.

The people saw the smoke and thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet- and they freaked out a bit. We'll listen to you Moses- but please don't have God talk to us directly- we'll die.

Moses speaks two sentences that seem to make no sense together. 1) "Do not be afraid. 2) God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." So don't be afraid- God is giving you fear?

But maybe the idea is- God's testing you- here's the plan- He's given you 10 commands- follow them and it all be ok- and the anxiety you feel will keep you on the right path.

And I think it's easy to approach God the same way now. Scared of Hell? Keep doing what's right. Wrath of God keep you at night? It wouldn't if you followed the commandments. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. What I take from this though is how different this approach is with what Jesus does.

Jesus doesn't give us a checklist with fear paperclipped to it. He died because he knew that we couldn't check all the boxes off- and because of the sacrifice - because God knew that just like the Israelites WE couldn't pass the test- we don't have to live in fear- Jesus already suffered the consequences of for all the horrible things I've done.

I long for a list sometimes- just tell me exactly what to do - remove the ambiguity. But it's impossible to keep. The plan of grace is so much better.

The people remained at a distance- they were scared. God wants us to be close. And we can be if we realize that we go to Him as a loving father- not a fierce overlord.