The Ten Commandments Of God: Instructions And Government Of Love

The Ten Commandments were spoken by God and written by His own hand. 

They are of Divine origin and not a human constitution.

They are expressed in human language, presenting a union of Divine and human. It exists in the nature of Christ, who is the Son of God and the Son of man.

The precepts of the Decalogue are given to humanity for their instruction and government. 

They are comprehensive and authoritative, covering the duty of mankind to God and to their fellow-man.

The Ten Commandments are all based on the great fundamental principle of love.

Jehovah spoke His Divine Law

Moses charged the children of Israel to obey God.

Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whether ye go to possess it.

Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, 

which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. Deuteronomy 5:8.

Keep on learning: The Law Of God Is Holy And Immutable – A Transcript Of His Character

The sacred precepts were spoken amid thunder and flame. God impressed His people with exhibitions of His power and glory.

So they might never forget those scenes and keep the reverence for the Author of the law and the Creator of Heaven and earth.

Nevertheless, it was more than the people of Israel could bear. They were overwhelmed with terror.

Moreover, as God's Great Rule of right was presented before them, they realized as never before the offensive character of sin, and their own guilt in the sight of a holy God.

They shrank away from the mountain in fear and awe. The multitude cried out to Moses:

Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die. Exodus 20:19.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not. Exodus 20:20.

The two tables of the testimony

And He gave unto Moses, when he had made an end of communing with Him upon mount Sinai, 

two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God. Exodus 31:18.

In the meantime, people waited eagerly for his return. They were accustomed in Egypt to material representations of deity.

Therefore, it was hard for them to trust in an invisible being, and they relied upon Moses to sustain their faith.

Notwithstanding the cloud was still in view, it seemed to many in the camp that their leader had deserted them, or that he had been consumed by the devouring fire.

During this period of waiting, there was time for them to meditate upon the Commandments of God which they had heard, and to prepare their hearts to receive further revelation.

If they had done this, they would have been shielded from temptation. Therefore, they soon became careless and lawless, and returned to their old superstitions.

The people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him: Up, make us gods, which shall go before us. Exodus 32:1.

Aaron feared for his own safety. Thus he yielded to the demands of the multitude instead of standing up for the honor of God.

They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molten image. Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox. Psalm 106:19, 20.

And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, and the two tables of the testimony were in his hand: 

the tables were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written.

And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables. Exodus 32:15, 16.

Broken tables of the broken Covenant

Moses entered the camp and was overwhelmed by what he saw. 

Since coming from the presence of God's glory, he was unprepared for that display of Israel's degradation.

As soon as he came nigh unto the camp, he saw the calf, and the dancing: 

and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and broke them beneath the mount.

And he took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire, and ground it to powder, 

and strawed it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it. Exodus 32:19, 20.

The tables of stone were broken, thus signifying that God had broken His covenant with them.

Nevertheless, Moses promised to plead once more with God for them.

Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the Lord; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.

And Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Oh, these people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.

Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.

Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee:

nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them. Exodus 32:30-34.

New set of stone tables

And the Lord said unto Moses, Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: 

and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brackets.

Come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to me on the top of the mount.

He hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai. Exodus 34:1-4.

Moses received an assurance of success in the work before him in a cleft of the rock, while the glory of God and all His goodness passed before him.

Furthermore, he entreated again that God would pardon the iniquity of His people, and take them for His inheritance.

And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.

I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiff-necked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance. Exodus 34:8, 9.

His prayer was granted. The Lord graciously promised to renew His favor to Israel, and in their behalf to do marvels such as had not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation.

Moses reflected the glory of the divine Presence, after the 40 days communion with God.

He was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights. And He wrote upon the tables the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony...And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a vail on his face. Exodus 34:29, 33.

Rehearsal of the Decalogue

Before entering the Promised Land, Moses was directed to repeat to Israel the history of their deliverance from Egypt and their time in the wilderness.

Furthermore, to repeat the Ten Commandments spoken from Sinai. 

The time they were given, but few of the present congregation were old enough to comprehend the awful solemnity of the occasion.

Moses stood before the people to repeat his last warnings and admonitions, as they were soon to pass over Jordan.

The Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself...hath the Lord brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen.

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, 

which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:6-9.

After the public rehearsal of the Ten Commandments, Moses completed the work of writing all the laws, statutes, and the judgments which God had given him, and all the regulations concerning the sacrificial system.

If thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day...

Blessed shalt thou be:

• in the city and the field

• the fruit of thy body, ground, and cattle, the increase of thy kine, and flocks of thy sheep

• thy basket and store

• when thou comest in and goest out. Deuteronomy 28:1-6.

On the other hand - If thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command thee this day; 

that all these curses shall come upon thee.

And ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it. Deuteronomy 28:15, 63.

What are the Ten Commandments?

The Law of God was not spoken at this time exclusively for the benefit of the Hebrews. 

God honored them by making them the guardians and keepers of His law.

Nonetheless, it was to be held as a sacred trust for the whole world. The precepts of the Ten Commandments are adapted to all people.

Moreover, they were given for the instruction and government of all. Love to God and people is their fundamental principle.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. Luke 10:27.

The Lord our God is one Lord; And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might…

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children. Deuteronomy 6:4-7.

Furthermore: Thou shalt not:

• defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him

• curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind

• go up and down as a talebearer among thy people

• hate thy brother in thine heart

• avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people

but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:13-18.

In the Ten Commandments these principles are carried out in detail and made applicable to the condition, and circumstances of humans.

We love him, because he first loved us. If a man says, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. 

And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. 1 John 4:19-21.

Continue studying: The Infinite Love Of God Toward You: Amazing And Everlasting

Summed in love

A lawyer approached Jesus with a question:

Which is the first commandment of all? Mark 12:28.

He gave him a direct answer:

The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:29-31.

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:40.

Divided in two groups

The first four of the Ten Commandments are summed up in one great precept: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.

The last six are included in the other: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

The first cannot be kept and the second broken, nor can the second be kept while the first is broken.

When God has His rightful place on the throne of the heart, the right place will be given to our neighbor. We shall love him as ourselves.

Moreover, only as we love God supremely it is possible to love our neighbor impartially.

The scribe who had questioned Jesus was astonished at His words and acknowledged that He had given the right interpretation to the law:

Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he:

And to love Him with all the heart, understanding, soul, and strength, 

and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. Mark 12:32, 33.

Given long before Exodus

Adam and Eve had a knowledge of the Law of God. They were acquainted with its claims upon them. 

Moreover, its precepts were written upon their hearts.

The law was not changed after mankind’s transgression. Nevertheless, a remedial system was established to bring humanity back to obedience.

Furthermore, the promise of a Savior was given, and sacrificial offerings pointing forward to the death of Christ as the great sin offering were established.

Adam taught his descendants the Law of God and it was handed down from father to son through successive generations.

Noah taught his descendants the Ten Commandments

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, 

and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Genesis 6:5.

Cruelty and violence, misery and horror, were the prevailing characteristics of the time.

But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. With thee will I establish my covenant; 

and thou shalt come into the ark, thou, and thy sons, and thy wife, and thy sons' wives with thee. Genesis 6:8, 18.

He sent Noah to warn the wicked inhabitants of the old world that in a hundred and twenty years He would send a flood of waters to destroy them from the face of the earth.

As people again departed from God, the Lord chose Abraham, of whom He said:

Abraham obeyed My voice, and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes, and My laws. Genesis 26:5.

To him was given the rite of circumcision, which was a sign that those who received it were devoted to the service of God.

Moreover, a pledge that they would remain separate from idolatry and would obey the law of God.

The failure of Abraham's descendants to keep this pledge, as adopting heathen practices, was the cause of their sojourn and bondage in Egypt.

The Divine Precepts became still further corrupted

It happened as a result of their intercourse with idolaters, and their forced submission to the Egyptians.

Therefore when the Lord brought them forth from Egypt, He came down upon Sinai, enshrouded in glory and surrounded by His angels, and in awful majesty spoke His Ten Commandments before all the people.

God wrote them also upon tables of stone. He would remove from Israel all possibility of mingling heathen traditions with His holy precepts.

The people had shown themselves so easily led astray. 

Therefore, Moses was commanded to write judgments and laws giving minute instruction as to what was required.

These directions relating to the duty of the people to God, to one another, and to the stranger were only the principles of the Ten Commandments amplified and given in a specific manner, that none need err.

They were designed to guard the sacredness of the Ten Precepts engraved on the tables of stone.

The Ten Commandments in details

First Commandment

Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3.

God alone is entitled to supreme reverence and worship. He is Eternal, Self-existent, Uncreated One, Source and Sustainer of all.

Humans are forbidden to give to any other object the first place in their affections or service.

Whatever we cherish that tends to lessen our love for God or to interfere with the service due Him, of that do we make a god.

Keep on reading: How To Worship God In Spirit And Truth

Second Commandment

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or 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: 

thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them. Exodus 20:4, 5.

The second commandment forbids the worship of the true God by images or symbols. The attempt to represent the Eternal One by material objects would lower man's conception of God.

The mind, turned away from the infinite perfection of Jehovah, would be attracted to the creature rather than to the Creator.

And as worshiper’s conceptions of God were lowered, so would mankind become degraded.

I the Lord thy God am a jealous God. Exodus 20:5.

The close and sacred relation of God to His people is represented under the figure of marriage. 

Idolatry being spiritual adultery, the displeasure of God against it is fitly called jealousy.

Visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me. Exodus 20:5.

It is inevitable that children should suffer from the consequences of parental wrongdoing, but they are not punished for the parents' guilt, except as they participate in their sins.

It is usually the case, however, that children walk in the steps of their parents. 

By inheritance and example the children become partakers of the father's sin.

Showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me, and keep My commandments. Exodus 20:6.

In prohibiting the worship of false gods, the second commandment by implication enjoins the worship of the true God.

Third Commandment

Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh His name in vain. Exodus 20:7.

This commandment prohibits false oaths and common swearing. Furthermore, it forbids us to use the name of God in a light or careless manner, without regard to its awful significance.

We dishonor God by:

• thoughtless mention of God in common conversation

• appeals to Him in trivial matters

• frequent and thoughtless repetition of His name.

Holy and reverend is His name. Psalm 111:9.

Therefore, we should meditate upon His majesty, purity and holiness. Thus our hearts will be impressed with a sense of His exalted character.

Moreover, His holy name should be uttered with reverence and solemnity.

Fourth Commandment

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God:

in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: 

wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:7-11.

The Sabbath had been founded at creation. Therefore, it is to be remembered and observed as the memorial of the Creator's work.

The seventh-day Sabbath points to God as the Maker of Heaven and the earth. Thus it distinguishes the true God from all false gods.

All who keep the seventh-day Sabbath signify by this act that they are worshipers of Jehovah. 

Thus the Sabbath is the sign of man's allegiance to God as long as there are any upon the earth to serve Him.

The fourth commandment is the only one of all the ten in which are found both the name and the title of the Lawgiver.

It is the only one that shows by whose authority the law is given. Thus it contains the seal of God, affixed to His law as evidence of its authenticity and binding force.

Continue reading: The Sabbath Of The Lord: An Everlasting Memorial Of His Creation

God has given humans six days wherein to labor, and He requires that their own work be done in the six working days.

Acts of necessity and mercy are permitted on the Sabbath - the sick and suffering are at all times to be cared for.

Nevertheless, unnecessary labor is to be strictly avoided.

Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable;

and...honor Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure. Isaiah 58:13.

We should not even allow our minds to dwell upon things of a worldly character in order to keep the Sabbath holy.

And the commandment includes all within our gates. All should unite to honor God by willing service upon His holy day.

Find out more: Seventh-day Sabbath Sign: The Sign Of Our Allegiance To God

Fifth Commandment

Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. Exodus 20:12.

Parents are entitled to a degree of love and respect which is due to no other person. 

God has ordained that during the earlier years of life, parents shall stand in the place of God to their children.

And one who rejects the rightful authority of one’s parents is rejecting the authority of God. The fifth commandment requires children to:

• yield respect, submission, and obedience to their parents

• give them love and tenderness

• lighten their cares

• guard their reputation

• comfort them in old age.

Furthermore, to respect ministers and rulers and all others to whom God has delegated authority.

Sixth Commandment

Thou shalt not kill. Exodus 20:13.

This commandment forbids:

• all acts of injustice that tend to shorten life

• the spirit of hatred and revenge, or the indulgence of any passion that leads to injurious acts toward others, or causes us even to

• wish them harm - for whosoever hatted his brother is a murderer

• a selfish neglect of caring for the needy or suffering

• all self-indulgence or unnecessary deprivation or excessive labor that tends to injure health.

Seventh Commandment

Thou shalt not commit adultery. Exodus 20:14.

This commandment forbids:

• acts of impurity

• sensual thoughts and desires, or any practice that tends to excite them.

Purity is demanded not only in the outward life but in the secret intents and emotions of the heart.

Christ, who taught the far-reaching obligation of the law of God, declared the evil thought or look to be as truly sin as is the unlawful deed.

Eighth Commandment

Thou shalt not steal. Exodus 20:15.

Both public and private sins are included in this prohibition.

The eighth commandment condemns:

• theft and robbery

• overreaching in trade, and requires the payment of just debts or wages

• man stealing and slave dealing.

Ninth Commandment

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Exodus 20:16.

This precept forbids every effort to:

• speak falsely in any matter

• deceive our neighbor

• intentionally overstate

• convey an erroneous or exaggerated impression

• to mislead even the statement of facts

• injure our neighbor's reputation by misrepresentation or evil surmising, by slander or tale bearing

• suppress truth, by which injury may result to others.

Tenth Commandment

Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's wife, 

nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbor's. Exodus 20:17.

The tenth commandment strikes at the very root of all sins, prohibiting the selfish desire, from which springs the sinful act.

One who in obedience to God's law refrains from indulging even a sinful desire for that which belongs to another will not be guilty of an act of wrong toward their fellow creatures.

Christ's Teaching on the Law

If ye love Me, keep My commandments. John 14:15.

He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me; 

and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself unto Him. John 14:21.

If a man loves Me, he will keep My words; and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 

He that loveth Me not, keepeth not My sayings; and the word which ye hear is not Mine, but the Father's which sent Me. John 14:23, 24.

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:9, 10.

These texts show in what honor Christ held the Law of the Father.

Therefore, we are to study the lessons of Christ and to follow His example.

To those who love God it will be the highest delight to keep His Commandments and to do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

God’s Law is now almost universally disregarded and made void. It is our privilege to say:

It is time for Thee, Lord, to work; for they have made void Thy law. Psalm 119:126.

Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all Thy Commandments. Psalm 119:6.

Hear the words of Christ again:

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: 

but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:17-19.

The Testimony of Calvary

The sacrificial offering ceased when type met antitype in the death of Christ. Thus the ceremonial law was done away.

The Lamb of God was a complete and perfect offering. 

Therefore, types and shadows, offerings and sacrifices, had no virtue after Christ's death on the cross.

On the other hand, the crucifixion established the law of Ten Commandments. This law will maintain its exalted character as long as the throne of Jehovah endures.

Christ came to live this law and He declared: I have kept my Father's commandments.

The gospel has not abrogated the law, nor detracted one tittle from its claims.

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Matthew 5:17, 18.

It still demands holiness in every part.

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

Whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1 John 2:3-5.

The cross of Calvary testifies to the immutability of the Law of God. It is the transcript of God's character. 

Moreover, it is the standard of character for all humans.

It can not be changed, nor altered, to meet humanity in their fallen condition.

On the other hand:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16.

All the resources of Heaven were given to accomplish the great work of our redemption.

Will we honor God by accepting the truth as it is in Christ?

Them that honor Me I will honor, and they that despise Me shall be lightly esteemed. 1 Samuel 2:30.

Many cry out today: Away with the commandments of God; crucify that law, just as at Christ’s time, they cried:

Away with Christ; crucify Him, crucify Him, because that law condemns their iniquities and all crooked practices.

The moral standard or righteousness

You are invited now to look into the Law of God. Take the Ten Commandments, that grow out of the principles of love to God and love to people.

As the looking-glass reveals the defects in your appearance, so the moral mirror of the law will make plain the imperfections of your character, and the true condition of your heart.

Those who are looking into the perfect law of liberty, and seeking a fitness for Heaven, will realize their need of divine help and will often be found before God in prayer.

Christ in His humanity wrought out a perfect character, and this character He offers to impart to us.

All our righteousness are as filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6.

The Son of God was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin. Sin is defined to be the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:5, 4.

Christ was obedient to every requirement of the law. He said of Himself:

I delight to do Thy will, O My God; yea, Thy law is within My heart. Psalm 40:8.

By His perfect obedience He has made it possible for every human being to obey God's commandments.

When we submit ourselves to Christ, our:

• hearts are united with His heart

• will is merged in His will,

• minds become one with His mind

• thoughts are brought into captivity to Him.

Thus we live His life. This is what it means to be clothed with the garment of His righteousness.

Then as the Lord looks upon us He sees, not the fig-leaf garment, not the nakedness and deformity of sin, but His own robe of righteousness, which is perfect obedience to the Law of Jehovah.

Furthermore, when we use His gifts to bless others, we will find life's burden light. 

He who walks in the way of God's commandments is walking in company with Christ, and in His love the heart is at rest.

My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. Exodus 33:14.

O that thou hadst hearkened to My commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea. Isaiah 48:18.

Righteousness can be defined only by God's great moral standard - the Ten Commandments. 

There is no other rule by which to measure character.

In conclusion

The Ten Commandments are an expression of the principle of love, covering the duty of people to God and others.

On the first table of stone were inscribed the four precepts showing the duty of humans to God. 

On the second table were the six showing the duty of people to their fellow people.

Christ, who spoke the law, declared that all the law and the prophets hang upon the two chief commandments that illustrate those two great principles.

He presents them as a Divine whole, and teaches that love to God will be shown by obedience to all His commandments.

Therefore, it follows that not one precept can be broken without violating this principle.

We uphold the honor of God on this earth by rendering obedience to His commandments. 

Furthermore, there is great reward in keeping the commandments of God.

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14.

References:

1. DA 607; SpTEd 235; BE Jun, 1895; ST Mar, 1878; BE Jul, 1896 - The Ellen G. White Estate

2. The Bible, King James Bible Version (KJV)

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