An Introduction to the Ten Commandments
by Jeffrey W. Hamilton
Text: Exodus 20:1-18
I. Thousands of years ago, God gave Israel a law that has impacted the laws of mankind ever since.
A. John Adams wrote, “As much as I love, esteem, and admire the Greeks, I believe the Hebrews have done more to enlighten and civilize the world. Moses did more than all of their legislators and philosophers.”
B. The core of God’s law is found in Exodus 20-23
C. The prelude to this law is called the Ten Commandments - Deuteronomy 4:10-13
1. Harvard Law School Professor, Alan M. Dershowitz, said, “The Ten Commandments are clearly a precursor to all Western Law, including American Law.”
D. The Ten Commandments are more than a set of laws. They serve as an introduction to God and what He wants from His people.
1. They serve as the basis for the remainder of the Old Law
2. They are the framework from which the New Law was built
II. The Nature of the Ten Commandments
A. In modern law, we tend to have laws that are exhaustive in nature
1. Every action that needs to be dealt with is specified in separate laws
2. Our federal and state laws exist on thousands of pages that take large library rooms to hold
B. Ancient law systems took a different approach. The laws were a model, not exhaustive.
1. The law gave guiding principles instead of detailed descriptions
2. The citizens were then expected to extrapolate from these principles how to apply the law to a particular situation
3. There weren’t loopholes or technicalities, only reasoning and application
4. Attempts to narrowly define a law is a violation of the purpose of the law
5. These laws didn’t try to list every possible sin or crime.
6. Even in the New Law, we find lists of sins but are reminded that the list is not exhaustive. “And things like these” - Galatians 5:21
C. This model approach is how the Ten Commandments were written.
1. Adultery becomes the category for sexual sins
a. It wasn't seen as only forbidding sex with someone who is married to another person.
b. Sex with someone who is engaged to be married is treated the same as if they were already married - Deuteronomy 22:22-24
c. By extension sex with someone not married is a violation against that person's future spouse, so it too is forbidden even if they have not yet met their future spouse - Deuteronomy 22:13-14, 20-21
d. You can see it in the New Law - Matthew 5:28
(1) The prohibition against looking at women with lust in your heart is directly talking about men thinking about committing adultery with a married woman, but this is done to serve as an illustration of a series of sins that fall into the same class.
(2) It would be just as wrong for women to lust after a married man.
(3) It would be just as wrong for a man to lust after a single woman.
(4) It would be just as wrong for a man to lust after another man or for a woman to lust after another woman.
2. Stealing becomes the category for all kinds of theft
3. Perjury becomes the category for all types of lying
D. This model approach to laws needs to be kept in mind as we look at God’s teachings for how to live our lives
1. Some will claim that the Scriptures only gave laws regarding men, so they don’t apply to women. That isn’t how ancient laws worked
III. The Giving of the Law
A. Exodus opens with the Israelites in slavery to the Egyptians
B. Through mighty miracles, God delivers His people from slavery, destroys a mighty army, and provides for His people in the wilderness.
C. They come to Mount Sinai and Moses goes up to talk with God - Exodus 19:3-6
D. Moses is sent to prepare the people to meet their God - Exodus 19:11-14
E. God arrives, heralded by thunder, lightning, and a loud trumpet call - Exodus 19:16-17
F. The tension builds - Exodus 19:18-19
G. Then God comes down - Exodus 19:20
H. How does God introduce Himself? The first words the people hear are the Ten Commandments.
1. These commands are not just a list of instructions about what they must or must not do.
2. God is telling His people what they need to know about Him
3. In these rules, God reveals His character and nature.
IV. “I am the Lord your God”
A. God begins by reminding Israel of His grace. It is He who liberated them from bondage.
B. He stated that He came to save - Exodus 3:7-8
C. The people could testify that He did as He said - Exodus 19:4
D. Upon this foundation: “I saved you,” God gives His requirements of the people.
E. Paul uses the same point - Galatians 5:13-14
V. In other words, God’s grace leads to God’s law.
A. This is not payback or something owed. It is an expression of how those saved show their appreciation.
B. God deserves our obedience because He saved us from sin
C. After spending most of the book of Romans showing that
1. We are all sinners, worthy of death
2. That God, in His mercy, decided to save us despite ourselves
3. That God did so without violating justice
D. Paul starts the practical application of this realization to state that we should give ourselves as living sacrifices to God - Romans 12:1
E. And that we change so as to prove that God’s will for us is good, acceptable, and perfect - Romans 12:2
F. There is time to change now. Don’t let the opportunity pass
Based on a lesson written by Brent Kercheville
