Week 18: Exodus 19-20-God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments

God Gives Moses the Ten Commandments

As a family, read Exodus 19:1-11, 16-19; 20:1-21 together. Afterwards, share the discussion below.

What happened?

Three months after leaving Egypt, the Israelites camped beside Mt. Sinai, where God made a covenant with Moses on behalf of Israel.  God promised to make them His “special treasure” and “a holy nation” if they would obey and keep His covenant. But before the people could receive God’s laws, they had to prepare themselves in a three-day period of purification and consecration. When Israel had prepared to hear Him speak, God descended upon the mountain in an awesome display of might and holiness. God called Moses and Aaron to the top of the mountain and spoke the first words of the Law.

The first four commands dealt with Israel’s relationship to God. He wouldn’t tolerate worship of other gods or even an image designed to represent Him.  Because God is spirit, no physical image can adequately represent Him. The name of the Lord was to be used with reverence, not disrespectfully.  And on the Sabbath (Saturday) they were to cease from work, as God did during creation, and focus on Him.

The final six commands express how Israel was to relate to one another as a community.  A society is only as strong as the families in it, so God instructed them to honor parents and remain faithful in marriage.  Israel’s treatment of each other was to be different from other communities. They were to respect one another’s life, property, and reputation.  Finally, God told His people to be content and not desire what belongs to another person.

God’s covenant with Moses to make Israel a “holy nation” meant they would be set apart from other nations and be dedicated to God’s service and purpose. The sights and sounds from the mountain made the Israelites tremble with fear, and they stood far away.  The people agreed to hear Moses but were afraid that if God spoke directly to them, they would die.  Moses, however, went near the thick, dark cloud where God was.

Why is this important to us today?

The Ten Commandments are the foundation for law and moral behavior, but these laws also serve to show our sinfulness in contrast with God’s standard of holiness. Obeying the law isn’t a means of salvation but the appropriate response to God’s grace.  Our relationship with Him, outlined in the first four commandments, must be in order before relationships with others can be the way God designed them to be. It’s interesting that the observance of the Sabbath is the only commandment not repeated in the New Testament. Commands five through ten reveal the importance God places on human relationships.  In Romans 13:8-10, these six commands are summarized in one phrase: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Spend a few minutes talking about what you just read by answering these questions together:

Which of the Ten Commandments are laws in our country today? Why do followers of Christ worship on Sunday (the first day of the week) rather than Saturday (the Sabbath)? Why do you think God placed such importance on how people should treat one another?

How can we better follow God this week?

The relationships within your family will strengthen as each member develops a closer relationship with God. What is your heart attitude toward God?  Do you treat God’s name with respect?  As a family, what gets your time and attention on the Lord’s Day? Answering these questions will help pinpoint obstacles to closeness with God. Now, turn your focus to the last six commandments (19:12-17). How can you encourage each other to better follow these this week? How would obeying these commands make the relationships in your family stronger?