_‘THE TEN WORDS’_ ‘All these words.’ Exodus 20:1 By way of introduction note: 1. The harmony between the solemn surroundings of Sinai, and the solemn revelations there made by God. Dean Stanley brings this out well; and it is the subject of the impressive contrast drawn in Hebrews 12:18. God’s _... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE ONLY GOD_ ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.’ Exodus 20:3 I do not know whether you have ever noticed the great part which the Commandments play in the instruction of members of the Church of England. In the early days of our English Church every clergyman was commanded to explain the... [ Continue Reading ]
_NO GRAVEN IMAGE_ ‘Thou shalt not make … any graven image,’ etc. Exodus 20:4 I. THE PRIMARY MEANING OF THIS COMMANDMENT NO LONGER NEEDS ENFORCEMENT.—There is no longer any disposition to worship Jehovah under any symbolical form, whether of a calf or anything else. Even if anywhere excessive hono... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE HOLY NAME_ ‘Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.’ Exodus 20:7 Though every feeling of reverence and gratitude bids us use the wondrous name of God with awe and recollection, we can offer no mere ceremonial homage to His name. It is Himself we reverence, it is Himself in... [ Continue Reading ]
_THE DAY OF REST AND WORSHIP_ ‘The Sabbath Day.’ Exodus 20:8 I. THE FIRST WORD OF THE FOURTH COMMANDMENT reminds us that the Sabbath Day was already established among the Israelites when the law was delivered on Sinai. That law created nothing. It preserved and enforced what God had already taug... [ Continue Reading ]
_REVERENCE FOR PARENTS_ ‘Honour thy father and thy mother.’ Exodus 20:12 I. CONSIDER VARIOUS WAYS IN WHICH A MAN MAY HONOUR HIS FATHER AND MOTHER: (1) by doing his best in the way of self-improvement; (2) by habits of care and frugality; (3) by keeping himself in soberness, temperance, and chast... [ Continue Reading ]