10 Commandments - Help Me Understand
The 10 commandments are one of the deepest and most profound sources of insight in the Bible. It's very important to know that they are primarily given so that we can know God. One might say that they are primarily revelatory (reveal God), not redemptive.
Each commandment comes from the very character of God. God could not have said the opposite of any of the commands. They didn't come out randomly. They directly reflect God's character. He could not have commanded us to lie because He is truth. Such facts can be pointed out about each of the commandments. When God tells us not to covet, we are learning that God is the Provider (which means He is sovereign and wise, among other things)
My Pastor pointed out today something he learned while unable to sleep the other night. One of the 10 commandments does not seem to reflect God's character nearly as much as it is there simply for our benefit. Which command is that?
The command we have to remember the Sabbath by keeping it Holy is a command that doesn't clearly come from His character - because God does not need rest - though he did rest during creation (for a reason - for man). In fact, Exodus 31:17 says 17"It is a sign between Me and the sons of Israel forever; (B)for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed."
So what does the Sabbath reveal about God's character? It doesn't fit nice and neatly like the other one's do (at least, not in my mind).
What else can you tell me about the Sabbath and what it reveals about man and about God?
posted by Tim @ 3:01 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
I heard recently something I hadn't thougth of. Isn't it right that the 10th command, don't covet, is in a way a repeat? Or, it's the motive of others. Adultery and stealing are direct results of coveting, right? And sometimes lying, and maybe idolatry to an extent. I think the comment I heard said it was included so that people who got through the first 9 'ok' would get to the last one and realize they were hopeless without grace. I don't know. Just a few thoughts. What do you think?
Maybe a big reason for the 10th command is just to show us God's character, and how He provides for all of our needs.
My lead pastor taught that the sabbath commandment is the only one that is not overtly reinforced in NT teaching.
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