The Ten Commandments

LESSON 2

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

You are welcome to another edition of Insights from God's Word, a Bible study programme that is committed to sharing God's Word by allowing the Bible to speak for itself.

In this edition, we continue with our series on The Law of God. In our previous study, we noted from Scripture that the keeping of the Ceremonial Laws (which were actually related to the sanctuary and its ordinances) came to an end when Christ, the One whom those ordinances pointed to, died on the cross of Calvary. In this study, we are going to consider another law in Scripture called the Ten Commandments.

1) Some of the important questions we will want to answer from the evidence of Scripture are as follows:

A) Were the Ten Commandments given only to the Jews?

B) Did Christ give His disciples a new commandment to replace the Ten Commandments?

C) Did Christ's death do away with the Ten Commandments?

D) Are the Ten Commandments still binding upon God's children today?

Friends, the first place we encounter a complete set of the Ten Commandments in Scripture is in Exodus 20:3-17. Coming right from the finger of God Himself are the following commandments: "20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

20:4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

20:6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

20:7 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.

20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

20:10 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:

20:11 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.

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

20:13 Thou shalt not kill.

20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

20:15 Thou shalt not steal.

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

20:17 Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's."

(Exodus 20:3-17) Friends, the Ten Commandments, also known as the Moral Law, is divided into two major components. The first four of this law summarizes our duty to God whilst the last six summarizes our duty to our fellow men. Read over this law once again and see whether you'll figure out these two components.

2. WERE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS GIVEN ONLY TO THE JEWS?

Beloved, there is clear evidence in Scripture that points out the fact that the people of God knew about the Ten Commandments before they were delivered as a complete set on Mount Sinai to the Israelites. Even though we first read about the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3-17, there are several clear texts in Scripture that tell us that these laws were known by the children of God before Sinai. Let us consider the scriptural evidence in relation to this point:

Commandments 1 and 2: While returning from his uncle Laban, Jacob commanded his entire household to put away the strange god's that were among them, and be clean (see Genesis 35:1-4). This account tells us that Jacob had knowledge of the first and second commandments of the Decalogue.

Commandment 3: The patriarch Job, who lived many years before Moses, had a serious concern about his children taking the name of God in vain (see Job 1:4-5). Job knew this was wrong and so sent for his children and sanctified them after their feasting.

Commandment 4: God commanded the Israelites to remember the Sabbath day. What this means is that the Israelites had knowledge of the Sabbath before Mount Sinai. The Bible clearly reveals that God tested the people of Israel on the Sabbath before they were given the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai (see Exodus 16:23-28). It is interesting to learn that the Sabbath dates back all the way to creation week, and serves as a memorial of the creatorship of God (see Genesis 2:1-3).

Commandment 5: From Genesis 28, we learn that Jacob obeyed the voice of his father and mother by not taking a wife among the Canaanites. Esau on the other hand, had disobeyed this command from his parents and did as he pleased. The blessings that accompany the keeping of this commandment undoubtedly came upon Jacob.

Commandment 6: God questioned Cain as to the whereabouts of his brother after he had murdered Abel (see Genesis 4:6-8). Cain knew he had transgressed against God's commandment and asked for a lesser penalty (see Genesis 4:13-15). After the flood, the people knew that murder was a grievous sin. From Genesis 9:5-6, we read this: "5 ... at the hand of man; at the hand of every man's brother will I require the life of man. 6 Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man" (Genesis 9:5-6). Commandment 7: Joseph knew adultery was a sin against God. In his refusal to sleep with Potiphar's wife he made the following impressive statement: "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (see Genesis 39:7-9). Abimelech, king of Gerer, was warned by God not to commit adultery with Sarah (see Genesis 20:3).

Commandment 8: It is clear that Jacob had in mind the commandment against stealing when he discussed his wages with his uncle Laban. From Genesis 30:33, we read the following: "So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come, when it shall come for my hire before thy face: every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and brown among the sheep, that shall be counted stolen with me."

Commandment 9: In John 8:44, Jesus described Satan as a liar, and the father of it. Christ made this statement concerning the devil because it was him who first misrepresented the character of God before unfallen angels, and then the human race in the Garden of Eden (see Revelation 12:7-9; Genesis 3:1-6). The patriarch Job also knew about this commandment and made the following references in respect to lying: "My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit" (Job 27:4). "For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee" (Job 36:4).

Commandment 10: From the account of the fall in Genesis 3, we are told that Eve desired (coveted) the fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Her covetousness led her to pluck of the fruit, ate it and also gave unto her husband. Before the Israelites got to Mount Sinai, Moses' father in law, Jethro advised him to do the following: "Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, HATING COVETOUSNESS; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens" (Exodus 18:21; Capital Emphasis Added).

Friends, from the evidence of Scripture so far, it is clear that the people of God knew about the Ten Commandments before Mount Sinai. The Bible records the following testimony from God Himself concerning the patriarch Abraham: "Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws" (Genesis 26:5). Beloved, this text makes it clear that Abraham had knowledge of God's commandments or laws. In fact, it wasn't only Abraham but even people who lived before him.

From 1 John 3:4, we learn that "sin is the transgression of the law." Romans 4:15 makes it clear that "where there is no sin, there is no law". With these two background texts, it is clear that if God could accuse people of sin before the Mount Sinai experience, then it means that there must have been in existence a law that these people knowingly transgressed. Friends, from the points we have reviewed so far, it becomes very clear that the Ten Commandments were not given only to the Jewish people. This is basically because the people of God who lived before the Jews had knowledge of these Moral laws.

3) DID CHRIST GIVE HIS DISCIPLES A NEW COMMANDMENT TO REPLACE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?

When one Pharisee asked Christ; "Master, which is the great commandment in the law?" (Matthew 22:36), our Lord quoted from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 to respond to this spiritual leader in Israel: "22:37 ... Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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

(Matthew 22:37-40) Friends, in answer to this Pharisee, Christ summarized the Ten Commandment law into its two beautiful components: 1) our duty of love to God and 2) a love for our neighbours as we would love ourselves. Beloved, the people of ancient Israel concentrated on honouring the first four of the commandments to the neglect of the latter six. They did all in their power to please God but had a poor interpersonal relationship with one another. Due to this behaviour, the Lord referred to them as hypocrites (Matthew 23:23). How could one love a God he has not seen, yet despise a neighbour who is close to him? (see 1 John 4:20). This was the hypocrisy in Israel when Christ walked among the people.

Some of you might have come across the story of the rich young ruler who approached Christ with a very important question. This young man asked Christ, "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16). Christ's answer to him was: "there is none good but one, that is, God: BUT IF THOU WILT ENTER INTO LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS" (Matthew 19:17; Capital Emphasis Added).

The rich young ruler then asked Christ a follow up question: "Which?" (Matthew 19:18). Friends, this follow up question, "Which?", suggests that the people of ancient Israel were keeping more than one type of law as we noted in the introduction of this series. In fact, we come to realize from the ensuing conversation from Matthew 19 that Christ perfectly understood this young man, and so proceeded to specify the type of commandment that He had in mind as follows: "19:18 ...Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

19:19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

(Matthew 19:18-19). As we can see friends, these are direct quotes from the Ten Commandment Law (see Exodus 20:12-17). Thus, according to Christ Himself, there was the need for this rich young ruler to keep God’s Ten Commandment law if he wanted to have eternal life. The conversation between Christ and this rich young ruler continued as follows: "19:20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

19:22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

(Matthew 19:20-22) Friends, even though this rich young ruler claimed he had obeyed all of the Ten Commandments, yet he couldn't part with all his money for the poor so he could follow Christ and gain the eternal reward. With his wealth being a form of idolatry and a snare unto him, could he honestly claim that he really loved his neighbours as the latter part of the Decalogue expected of him? Well, the action he took when he heard Christ's final words tells it all. He had wealth, but didn't care for the poor.

Friends, this was the kind of hypocrisy that our Lord wanted to free the disciples. Christ decided to change the perspective of the disciples in relation to this sin. And so from John 13:34, we read the following clear words from Christ: "34 A NEW COMMANDMENT I give unto you, That ye love one another; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:34-35; Capital Emphasis Added). Based on this text above, many of God's children in Christendom have been taught that Christ replaced the Ten Commandments with a NEW LAW OF LOVE for one another. However friends, the Scripture makes us to understand that Christ did not give the disciples a new commandment but rather emphasized a quote that was already in the Old Testament. From Leviticus 19:18, we come across this particular quote that Christ emphasized: "... thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD" (Leviticus 19:18; Compare Leviticus 19:18 with Matthew 22:37-40 and John 13:34-35).

Friends, this text from Leviticus 19:18, makes it clear that Christ's commandment to love one another was not anything new. In fact, it was a direct quote from the Old Testament; a summary of the latter six commandments in the Decalogue that His people had neglected.

Beloved, the newness of Christ's message, so to speak, was about the measure or extent of love the disciples were to exhibit in relation to their neighbours. The disciples were to love, not as they already knew how, but as Christ has demonstrated to them. They were to copy from their Master a kind of love that was so revolutionary that it embraced even one's bitter enemies (Luke 6:27-28). This was certainly a new commandment; in that, it changed the perspective of how the people of God were to view their duty to their neighbours.

Thus friends, our reasoning from Scripture so far makes it clear that Christ did not replace the Ten Commandment with a new commandment. His new commandment, so to speak, actually emphasized on the latter six commandments of the Decalogue which his people has neglected to keep.

4) DID CHRIST'S DEATH DO AWAY WITH THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?

The Bible is clear that when Christ died on the cross, He did away with the ceremonial laws of the sanctuary (see Daniel 9:27; Matthew 27:50-51). However, in relation to the Ten Commandments, we find no such hint in Scripture. In fact, Christ had this to say concerning the entire Torah of which the Ten Commandment law is a component: "5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

5:18 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.

5:19 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) Beloved, the words of Christ in this passage are very clear. Don't even think it, that I am come to destroy the law, till heaven and earth pass, they will still be in force (Matthew 5:17-18). Many in Christendom today have been taught that a profession of faith or love for Christ is enough. But Christ's words in the book of John: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15), is a clear call for obedience to God's law if we claim to love Him. From John 15:10, we read a similar expression from Christ: "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." Beloved, Christ expects us to prove our love to Him through obedience to His commandments.

In fact, the end time people of God are described with the following straight words: "Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12). Beloved, when the rich young ruler asked Christ what he must do to inherit eternal life, Christ's first answer to him was: "keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17). The beloved apostle reiterates this same point with these beautiful words: "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:14).

Friends, the Bible makes it clear that we must keep God's commandments if we want to enter into the New Jerusalem city. The reason for this condition is very simple; the Ten Commandment Law is going to be the standard of God's judgement for the human race. Well, if you never heard this, that's OK. Here is the evidence:

A) "13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: FEAR GOD, AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 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; Capital Emphasis Added).

B) "10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 SO SPEAK YE, AND SO DO, AS THEY THAT SHALL BE JUDGED BY THE LAW OF LIBERTY" (James 2:10-12; Capital Emphasis Added).

Beloved, the Bible is clear, so speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the LAW OF LIBERTY. You see friend, contrary to the popular teaching that the Ten Commandment law is a yoke of bondage, the Bible makes it clear that it is rather a law of liberty which actually frees us from the consequences or condemnation of sin. I want us to reflect upon our prison houses for a moment; who are the people confined in our prisons? Are they those who kept the law or those who broke them? Well, the answer I believe is simple. Those who break the state laws are the ones who find themselves in state prisons. Now, can we describe these folks in prison as free because they broke state laws? Well NO! Those who kept the laws are the ones who are rather free from the bondage of prison cells. Beloved, it is in this same sense that the Ten Commandment law is referred to as the Law of Liberty in James 2:12. We are actually free, and at peace with God and our fellow men when we keep all of God's Ten Commandments.

Sometimes, I find it strange to believe that some of God's children argue against the perpetuity of God's law while they themselves seem to honour the majority if not all of the Ten Commandments. To anyone who claims that the Ten Commandment law is not still binding, my simple question to such a fellow is this: which one of the Ten Commandments are you not keeping? Begin from the first commandment and start ticking them one after the other. Chances are that you will be surprised that you are actually keeping almost all of them if not the entire ten. So the question is; if you are keeping all or the majority of the Ten Commandments, then why the sharp argument against the Ten Commandment law?

Beloved, if you do an extensive study on this subject, you are going to find out that the main reason why there is a lot of controversy over the perpetuity of the Ten Commandment law is because of the Sabbath Commandment (see Exodus 20:8-11). Many in Christendom today faithfully keep nine of God's Ten Commandments and disregard the only commandment which ironically begins with the word 'REMEMBER' (see Exodus 20:8).

To justify their keeping of Sunday instead of the Sabbath, many of God's children enter into the dangerous grounds of arguing against the perpetuity of God's Ten Commandment law. If these folks had only known who had brought about the change of the spurious Sabbath (Sunday) they are now keeping, they will think twice about their actions. For the book of Daniel presents the following incredible truth concerning the true antichrist power of Bible prophecy:

"And he (the antichrist) shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, AND THINK TO CHANGE TIMES AND LAWS: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time" (Daniel 7:25; Capital Emphasis Added).

Friends, from this text in the book of Daniel, we learn clearly that it is the antichrist power that will think to change God's times and law. Christ's position in relation to God’s law was clear: "Think not that I came to destroy the law or the prophets" (Matthew 5:17). Beloved, you will search the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and you will not find any place where God now authorized His people that He does not require them to keep the Ten Commandments. As I have stated earlier, it is the antichrist power that has attempted to change God's Ten Commandment law and not Christ or any of His apostles. (For a detailed study on the Antichrist power of Bible prophecy, request for our series dubbed: The Final Events of Bible Prophecy through any of our WhatsApp numbers at the end of this study)

Beloved, from what we have reviewed so far from Scripture in this study, we can make the following valid biblical conclusions:

i) The Ten Commandment law was not given to only the Jews. It is a universal moral law which precedes even Abraham, the father of the Jews.

ii) Christ did not give His disciples a new commandment which came to replace the Ten Commandments.

iii) The Ten Commandment law was not abolished by Christ or any of the apostles. Rather, it is the antichrist power that has attempted to change the Law of God.

iv) The Ten Commandment law is still binding upon all of God's people today. The Scripture reveals that God's end time people will be a people who will have a saving faith in Jesus and also keep all of the Ten Commandments (see Revelation 12:17; Revelation 14:12).

v) The Ten Commandment law will be the standard of God's judgement (see James 2:8-10).

Beloved, I know that it is not by chance that you came across this material. You have been led by the Spirit of God to go through this study. It is my humble prayer that the Holy Spirit will help you to make a decision to join the ranks of the end time people of God who obey all of God's Ten Commandments including the Sabbath.

Exhortation: Concerning the Ten Commandment law, we read the following beautiful words of life from Scripture:

i) "7 The works of his hands are verity and judgment; ALL HIS COMMANDMENTS ARE SURE. 8 THEY STAND FAST FOR EVER AND EVER, and are done in truth and uprightness" (Psalm 111:7-8; Capital Emphasis Added).

ii) "7 THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 MOREOVER BY THEM IS THY SERVANT WARNED: AND IN KEEPING OF THEM THERE IS GREAT REWARD" (Psalm 19:7-11; Capital Emphasis Added).

iii) "But whoso looketh into the PERFECT LAW OF LIBERTY, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25; Capital Emphasis Added).

In our next study, we will consider the topic: The Ten Commandments versus the Ceremonial Law. I know some of you may still be struggling with the difference between the Ten Commandments and the Ceremonial Law. I believe this upcoming study will help to clear our minds on this issue. The Bible Study references for this study are Matthew 5:17, Ephesians 2:15, Deuteronomy 4:12-13, Leviticus 1:1-3, Deuteronomy 10:5, Deuteronomy 31:26, Exodus 24:12 and Colossians 2:14. Please do well to go through these passages before the next study is released.

Stay blessed and keep shining for King Jesus.

Maranatha!

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