The 10 Commandments – Words ∙

The 10 Commandments – Words ∙

So you shall keep My commandments, and do them; I am the LORD. – Leviticus 22:31

Exodus 20:1-17

1 God spoke all these words, saying,
3 You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 You shall not make idols for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.
7 You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
12 Honor your father and your mother.

13 You shall not murder.
14 You shall not commit adultery.
15 You shall not steal.
16 You shall not bear false witness.
17 You shall not covet.

The Blueprint for a Nation

The legal system in the United States is structured upon a foundation of both codified and non-codified laws. At its core lies the Constitution, a written document embodying the principles and laws of the nation. It serves as the blueprint for the federal government and safeguards the civil liberties of its people.

Similarly, for the Nation of Israel, the heart of their legal system was established in Exodus 20. Here, God revealed His guiding principles, directives that were designed to teach His people how to live and honor Him. These were not merely suggestions or guidelines but Divine mandates delivered to set a moral and spiritual foundation.

A Covenant of Submission

The Mosaic covenant marked a defining moment in Israel’s identity. When the Nation of Israel accepted the Mosaic covenant with God, they entered into a theocracy. They committed themselves to submit to the Father’s authority and obey His law.

Exodus 20 is not just a list of rules; it is the prelude to the more expansive Law of Moses. Just as the U.S. Constitution acts as the backbone of the legal system, this sacred law became, in essence, Israel’s charter and constitution.

The Hebrew term translated as “words” in Exodus 20 is dabar, which means “words or speech.” It comes from the verb dabar, which means to “speak or declare.” These commandments were initially referred to as “The 10 Words.”

The Scriptures stipulate in Exodus 20:1: “God spoke all these words.”

Later in Exodus 34:28, these words are referred to as the 10 Commandments: “And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.”
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Commandments of Life

The term “commandment” is found in Leviticus 22:31, where God states, “You shall keep My commandments, and do them; I am the Lord.” The Hebrew word translated as “commandment or command” is mitsvah. The plural, mitzvot, refers to “commandments covering ethical and religious duties, laws, and customs.”
These commandments articulate what the Father desires for His people: their choices and actions in daily life.

The English word “commandment” originates from the Latin commandare, signifying a “command or authoritative order.” These commandments are more than mere guidelines; they are divine decrees that bind the people of God to live according to His design. They serve as foundational moral laws for both Judaism and Christianity.

They serve as the moral compass for His people, reflecting His love and guidance. These principles are a gift, providing a pathway toward a life that is pleasing to Him.

Christ Fulfilled the Law

Centuries later, the Lord Jesus Christ modeled and explained the deeper meaning of the Words of the Law. He sought to help the children of the King love the Law, understand its depth, and live it out in their daily walk with Him. He filled full the eternal significance of the Law.

REFLECT & PRAY

Freedom in the Spirit transforms the law from a heavy weight upon our shoulders to a joy within our hearts. The Lord Jesus Christ made it clear that His mission was to uphold the Law and help the children of the King love it, learn it, and live it (Wiersbe).

Father, thank You for setting me free from the heavy burden of striving to meet Your righteous standard on my own. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who empowers me to live a life that pleases You. Help me to walk in freedom and joy, delighting in Your commands and experiencing the fullness of life in Christ.

INSIGHT

Progressive Revelation

Hebrews 1:1-2 reveals the progression of God’s revelation to humanity. “Long ago, God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son.”

God’s communication to His people has unfolded in remarkable ways. At Mount Sinai, He spoke directly to Israel, delivering His commandments with thunderous clarity (Exodus 20). Later, His message came through intermediaries like Moses and the prophets, guiding His people with His words. Ultimately, in the New Testament era, God spoke through His Son, Jesus Christ, conveying His message of hope, redemption, and profound understanding.

Christ’s Mission to Fulfill the Law

The mission of Jesus Christ was not to abolish God’s law, but to fulfill it. He made this clear in Matthew 5:17 when He declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

The Greek word for “fulfill” is pleroo, meaning “to make something complete, perfect, or achieve its purpose.” Jesus not only upheld the law’s requirements but also filled them with richer meaning. His mission was to enrich and enhance the understanding of the law rather than merely fulfilling it. His teachings illuminated the difference between outward adherence to rules and inner transformation.

The Law’s Deeper Meaning

The Lord Jesus Christ invited the children of the King to reflect on the moral and spiritual depths behind God’s commands. Note these examples from the Sermon on the Mount that illustrate this transformation of God’s Word.

Matthew 5:27-28: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Christ emphasized that sin begins in the heart, moving the focus from external actions to internal motives.

Matthew 5:33-34: “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all.” Jesus emphasized the significance of integrity and honesty, making oaths unnecessary.

Matthew 5:43-44: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Jesus redefined love as selfless and unconditional, extending even to those who oppose us.

One God, Two Revelations

There is an exquisite beauty in the dual revelations of the Law. Exodus 20 reminds us that the Father spoke directly from heaven to give the law to Moses and the people of Israel (Exodus 20:22). Centuries later, the Son of God came from heaven to earth to teach, explain, and expand upon the law.

We see one God in two Persons. The Father conveyed His commands in the Old Testament, revealing His ethical code and righteous standard of behavior. In the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ interpreted and deepened those holy words, revealing their profound and elevated spiritual intent and meaning.

Through Christ, the law transforms from a burdensome set of rules into a way of life informed by love and guided by the Spirit.

The Burden of Keeping the Law

Under the Old Testament, God’s people found themselves faced with the weighty responsibility of keeping the Mosaic Law. The law placed a mirror before humanity, reflecting their flaws and inability to meet God’s perfect standard on their own. For many, living under the law felt like endlessly climbing a steep mountain, never quite reaching the summit.

This weight was not due to the law itself, for the law was holy and good (Romans 7:12). The heaviness came from the reality that humanity, tainted by sin, was incapable of keeping it perfectly. It often felt like a heavy obligation.

The Joy of Living by the Spirit

With the coming of Christ, an extraordinary transformation occurred. He met every requirement, bore every penalty, and completed the law’s purpose. The New Covenant replaced the Old Covenant’s burden of striving to obey the law through human effort with the joy of walking in the Spirit. This transition totally transforms the relationship of the children of the King to the law of God. We are no longer concerned about outward adherence to the rules. Instead, we now focus on a profound journey of inner spiritual renewal, taking delight in keeping the Law. The Holy Spirit guides and empowers us to live out God’s righteous standard with joy.

The indwelling Spirit now empowers believers to live a life pleasing to the Father. No longer does obedience come from a place of fear or obligation; it flows naturally from a heart transformed by the Father’s grace. The Spirit provides not only the desire to live righteously but also the strength to do so.

This does not mean that following Christ is without challenge. There is still a yoke, but it is easy and light because it is carried in partnership with Him (Matthew 11:28-30). The “work” of righteousness becomes a celebration of God’s grace and power working within us. Romans 7:6 captures this transformation perfectly: “Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.”

We no longer view God’s commands as a heavy burden or an impossible standard. Instead, they become a source of joy, drawing us closer to Him. Obedience is no longer something we have to do; it is something we get to do, empowered by His grace.

David’s delight in God’s law, expressed in Psalms 19, finds its fullness in the lives of those who walk in the Spirit. “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart” (Psalms 19:8). Through the Spirit, we see the law not as a demand but as a delight, reflecting the goodness of the Father’s heart.

Freedom in the Spirit transforms the law from a heavy weight upon our shoulders to a joy within our hearts. Will you step into that freedom?

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© Dr. H 2025