THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (VV. 1-21) Exodus 20-23, containing (1) the Decalogue (Gk. = 'Ten Words' or 'Commandments') and (2) a code of laws regulating the religious and social life of the people, and called the Book of the Covenant (see Exodus 24:7), form perhaps the most important part of the Pentateu... [ Continue Reading ]
Redemption is the ground of obedience which springs, not from fear, but from gratitude and love: see Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 5:14; 1 John 4:19. This evangelical truth of obedience springing from gratitude is the great theme of the book of Deuteronomy, where it is reiterated over and over again: s... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE ME] RM 'beside me.' Monotheism is implied rather than expressly enunciated here. It was only gradually that Israel rose to the truth that there is but one God. Israel was led to this truth along the way of practice. By ceasing to worship other gods they would cease to believe in their existen... [ Continue Reading ]
If the first commandment implies the truth of God's unity, the second implies that of His spirituality. Israel is forbidden to worship even the true God under any external form. God is not like anything that human hands can make. In Egypt the Israelites had been familiar with the worship of images.... [ Continue Reading ]
A JEALOUS GOD] Human jealousy is usually of an ignoble kind, the fruit of suspicion. But there is a holy jealousy, the pain of wounded love. The heart of God is grieved when His love is rewarded with indifference and unfaithfulness. He will brook no rival in the affections of His people: see Deutero... [ Continue Reading ]
UNTO THOUSANDS] i.e. unto a thousand generations, as in Deuteronomy 7:9. it is implied here that God's mercy in rewarding righteousness infinitely transcends His anger in punishing the sinful. The consequences of righteousness are more enduring and farreaching than those of iniquity.... [ Continue Reading ]
This prohibition applies strictly to perjury or false swearing, the breaking of a promise or contract that has been sealed with an oath in the name of God. He will not allow His name to be associated with any act of falsehood or treachery. His name must not be taken IN VAIN, i.e. lightly or heedless... [ Continue Reading ]
What is laid down here is not the institution of the sabbath rest, but its strict observance. The sabbath rest was known to the Babylonians before this time, and there are indications of its being previously known to the Israelites: see on Exodus 16:5. Hence, probably, the use of the word REMEMBER.... [ Continue Reading ]
It is sometimes forgotten that the fourth commandment 'enforces the six days' work as well as the seventh day's rest.'... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALT NOT DO ANY WORK] such as gathering manna (see on Exodus 16:22), lighting a fire (Exodus 35:3), gathering sticks (Numbers 15:32), agricultural labour (cp. Exodus 34:21), carrying burdens (Nehemiah 13:15), buying and selling (Nehemiah 10:31). The Jewish legalists developed the negative side of t... [ Continue Reading ]
In Deuteronomy 5:14 another reason is given for the observance of the sabbath rest, in accordance with the philanthropic spirit which pervades the whole of that book: cp. Exodus 23:12. Both reasons are probably later amplifications of the original commandment. BLESSED.. AND HALLOWED IT] consecrated... [ Continue Reading ]
This is the 'first commandment with promise' (Ephesians 6:2). The promise has been understood by some as applying to the nation as a whole. Undoubtedly the nation takes its character from the home, and well-ordered family life is the prime condition of national welfare and stability: see on Deuteron... [ Continue Reading ]
It is noteworthy that of the ten commandments, two (the third and the ninth) refer to sins of speech. For the penalty prescribed in cases of false witness, see Deuteronomy 19:15. The spirit of the ninth commandment forbids all lying and slander.... [ Continue Reading ]
Of all the commandments, the tenth is the one that goes deepest. What is condemned is not an action, but a thought or desire: cp. Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:18. This commandment shows that the Decalogue is more than a mere code of civil law. Human laws cannot take cognizance of the thoughts of the he... [ Continue Reading ]
The Decalogue was given in the hearing of the people. The following commandments were given to them through their mediator Moses: see Exodus 20:21, chapter Exodus 21:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT This section comprises a number of laws designed to regulate the life of an agricultural community living under comparatively simple conditions. The laws are mainly of a civil order with a small admixture of rudimentary religious enactment (see e.g. Exodus 20:23; Exodus 23:1... [ Continue Reading ]
RV is preferable, 'Ye shall not make _other gods_ with me; gods of silver, or gods of gold, ye shall not make unto you.' This is a repetition of the first and second commandments.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN ALTAR OF EARTH] i.e. of the simplest form and material, as a precaution against idolatrous representations: cp. Exodus 20:25 Deuteronomy 27:5; Deuteronomy 27:6. On the different kinds of sacrifice see Leviticus 1-7, and on Leviticus 18:12. RECORD MY NAME] lit. 'cause my name to be remembered,' by... [ Continue Reading ]
See on Exodus 20:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
With the same object, to prevent exposure of the person, it is afterwards prescribed that the priests be provided with linen drawers while officiating at the altar: see Exodus 28:42; Exodus 28:43. The top of the altar of burnt offering, which was four and a half ft. high, was reached, according to t... [ Continue Reading ]