On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that very day, they came into the wilderness of Sinai. They had journeyed from Rephidim, entered the wilderness of Sinai, and camped in the wilderness; Israel camped there in front of the mountain. Then Moses went up to God; the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the Israelites: You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples. Indeed, the whole earth is mine, but you shall be for me a priestly kingdom and a holy nation. These are the words that you shall speak to the Israelites.” Then God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery; (Exodus 19:1-6; 20:1-2, NRSV)
How are the 10 commandments supposed to be utilized by us?
Are they a list of rules we must follow to earn God’s favor?
A way that we earn our way into heaven?
Is that why God gave us the commandments?
God says in 19:4 “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” God brought His people out of Egypt and brought them to Himself. Notice that this comes before any of the commandments. God called His people to Himself before he gave them rules to follow. God established the relationship and then offered a model for how His treasured people should live. Notice God didn’t say if you don’t obey my voice and keep my covenant you will no longer be my people. He said, “if you obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession out of all the peoples.” We do not lose the relationship by not obeying but we are also not His treasured possession…
God established a relationship with us and then gave us an understanding of how to help others see the love He has given to us. It isn’t about doing it right, it is about loving as God did.
aSacredRebel 