The Ten Words (Exodus 20)

The Ten Commandments or Ten Words have been a standard of conduct down through history. How did Jesus apply them, in the letter or the Spirit? Let’s look at Exodus 20.

Then God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt— from the house of slavery. You are to have no other gods as a substitute for me. (Exodus 20:1-3 ISV)

Did Jesus turn the negative thou shalt not into a positive thou shalt?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. (Matthew 22:37-38 KJV Deuteronomy 6:5)

Did statues of cherubs in the tabernacle contradict the commandment against graven images, or were they not used as idols, not bowed down to, and therefore quite legitimate?

You shall not make for yourself a carved 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. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (Exodus 20:4-6 ESV)

What should Christians do in regard to idols?

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (1 Corinthians 10:14 NASB)

What about God’s name? What about the common expression OMG?

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. (Exodus 20:7 NIV)

Some people have tried to avoid God’s name altogether, lest they accidentally blaspheme it. Did Jesus suggest the exact opposite of this by encouraging us to hallow God’s name?

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9 KJV)

Would a nation just freed from slavery, be grateful for a Sabbath rest? Is a rest day a good thing?

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh [the Lord] your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. (Exodus 20:8-11 WEB)

Why is there no Sabbath command in the entire New Testament? Did Jesus teach something about a higher, spiritual rest?

Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28 CEB)

How important is it to honor both our parents?

Respect [honor] your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you. (Exodus 20:12 CEV)

Did the church continue to uphold this commandment under the new covenant?

Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. (Ephesians 6:1-3 HCSB)

Is valuing human life relevant for Christians?

You are not to commit murder. (Exodus 20:13 ISV)

Did Jesus expand upon this commandment to include unrighteous anger and verbal abuse?

You have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not murder’ and ‘Whoever murders shall be guilty before the court.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ [You idiot!] shall be guilty before the Sanhedrin; and whoever says, ‘You fool,’ shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. (Matthew 5:21-22 LSB)

Is having hate in our hearts a spirit of murder?

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:15 KJV)

What about having sex with someone who is not your husband or wife?

You shall not commit adultery. (Exodus 20:14 NASB)

What did Jesus have to say about adultery in the mind?

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. (Matthew 5:27-28 NASB)