Exodus 20
Exodus 20 recounts God giving the Ten Commandments to Israel at Mount Sinai. These commandments outline fundamental principles for living in obedience to God. The first four commandments focus on the relationship between God and humanity, including worshiping only God, avoiding idols, respecting His name, and keeping the Sabbath. The remaining six emphasize moral conduct toward others, covering honoring parents, prohibiting murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and coveting. The people, fearful of God's powerful presence, ask Moses to speak to them on God's behalf, and Moses assures them that God is testing them to instill reverence and obedience.
Exodus 20:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2 "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 You shall have no other gods before Me."
God opens the Ten Commandments by reminding the Israelites that He is their Redeemer, having delivered them from slavery in Egypt. This foundational statement establishes His authority and the relationship they should have with Him. The first commandment prohibits the worship of any other gods, emphasizing that Yahweh alone is worthy of their devotion and allegiance. This reflects a call for exclusive loyalty to God, who had demonstrated His power and love through their deliverance.
Exodus 20:4-6 (NKJV)
4 "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."
Verses 4 and 5 begin by warning against making and worshipping idols. God prohibits any form of idolatry because He is a jealous God—meaning He will not tolerate competition with false gods, as He alone is the true Creator and Sustainer of all.
The key part about God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children refers to the natural consequences of sin affecting future generations. This doesn’t mean that children are punished for the sins of their parents, but rather, when parents live in rebellion against God, their sinful ways often influence their children, perpetuating cycles of disobedience and idolatry. This effect is described as lasting up to the third and fourth generation, emphasizing how deeply sin can take root within families and communities.
However, verse 6 shows a stark contrast: God promises to show mercy to thousands (or "thousands of generations") who love Him and keep His commandments. The emphasis here is on God’s immense mercy compared to His judgment, demonstrating that His desire is for people to love and obey Him, resulting in blessings far greater and longer-lasting than the consequences of sin.
The principle is that while sin can have generational effects, God’s mercy and love are far more powerful and enduring for those who choose to follow Him.
Exodus 20:7 (NKJV)
7 "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."
This commandment addresses the misuse of God's name, which includes not only swearing falsely but also any irreverent or casual use of His name. God's name represents His character and authority, and to misuse it is to show disrespect. The gravity of this sin is evident in the warning that those who do so will not be held guiltless, reflecting the holiness and majesty of God's name.
Exodus 20:8-11 (NKJV)
8 "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it."
The Sabbath is not only a day of physical rest but also a day that God specifically blessed and set apart for holy purposes. The command to "do no work" specifically refers to ceasing from mundane, everyday tasks and labor necessary for earning a living or maintaining daily life. This includes things like business transactions, farming, or household chores. When God blesses something, it is indeed blessed. These 24 hours are marked for focusing on God, deepening the relationship with Him. The day is meant to foster communion with God through worship, reflection on His creative power, and recognizing Him as the source of all life. It’s a time for spiritual renewal, where individuals and families cease from work to realign their hearts with God. The focus is both on God’s relationship with His people and on each individual’s personal relationship with God, making the Sabbath a unique and sacred time of connection with the Creator.
Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)
12 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you."
This commandment calls for respect and honor toward parents, which includes obedience, care, and acknowledging their authority. The attached promise—"that your days may be long"—refers to a long and prosperous life in the Promised Land, not eternal life. This blessing points to the idea that honoring parents contributes to the well-being of the individual and the community. A stable family structure helps maintain a harmonious society, and this obedience ensures God’s continued favor, especially as the Israelites prepared to live in the Promised Land God was giving them.
Exodus 20:13 (NKJV)
13 "You shall not murder."
The Hebrew word used here for "murder" is "רָצַח" (ratzach), which specifically refers to the unlawful, premeditated killing of another person. Unlike other Hebrew words for killing, such as "הָרַג" (harag), which can refer to killing in broader contexts like war or execution, ratzach applies to acts of intentional homicide or manslaughter. This commandment addresses murder in the moral sense, emphasizing the sanctity of human life because every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).
The prohibition is not against all forms of killing but specifically against unjust or unlawful killing, including murder with malice or negligence. The command preserves social order and underscores the principle that life is sacred and must be treated with utmost respect, upholding justice in the community.
Exodus 20:14 (NKJV)
14 "You shall not commit adultery."
Adultery undermines the sanctity of marriage, which is a covenantal relationship established by God. This commandment promotes faithfulness in marriage, reflecting the faithfulness God desires in His relationship with His people. By prohibiting adultery, it safeguards the institution of marriage and the family unit, which are central to social and spiritual well-being.
Exodus 20:15 (NKJV)
15 "You shall not steal."
This commandment protects the rights of individuals to their property. Stealing not only causes harm to the victim but also reflects a lack of trust in God's provision. By commanding against theft, God upholds justice and fairness in human relationships, promoting contentment and respect for others' possessions.
Exodus 20:16 (NKJV)
16 "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
This commandment specifically addresses the issue of giving false testimony, particularly in a legal context. In ancient Israel, false accusations or dishonest witness could lead to unjust consequences for the accused, sometimes even resulting in death. This commandment calls for honesty and integrity, protecting the reputation and rights of others. The broader principle extends to all forms of lying or deceit, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in relationships and society. Bearing false witness not only harms individuals but undermines trust and justice within the community.
Exodus 20:17 (NKJV)
17 "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."
This commandment addresses the internal desires that lead to sin. Coveting is not just about wanting something but desiring it in a way that leads to dissatisfaction, envy, and often sinful actions. It emphasizes the need for contentment and trust in God’s provision. By commanding against covetousness, God calls His people to guard their hearts and foster a spirit of gratitude and contentment.
Exodus 20:18-21 (NKJV)
18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
19 Then they said to Moses, "You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die."
20 And Moses said to the people, "Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin."
21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
The dramatic display of God’s presence on Mount Sinai filled the Israelites with awe and fear, prompting them to request Moses as a mediator. They feared direct communication with God, recognizing His overwhelming holiness. Moses reassured them that this encounter was meant to instill reverence and prevent sin. The scene illustrates the majesty of God and the importance of reverence in approaching Him, while also introducing the need for a mediator between God and humanity.
Exodus 20:22-26 (NKJV)
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: 'You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
23 You shall not make anything to be with Me: gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves.
24 An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.
25 And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.
26 Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.'"
God emphasizes that the Israelites are to worship Him without creating idols or elaborate altars that reflect pagan practices. The simplicity of an earth or stone altar underscores the humility required in approaching God, focusing on the worshiper’s heart rather than outward appearances. The prohibition against steps is likely to prevent any form of indecency, reflecting the sanctity and respect required in worship. This section reiterates God's desire for pure and unadulterated worship.