SERIES C --- EXODUS FROM BONDAGE --- LESSON 18

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

TEN WAYS TO PLEASE YHVH

From Exodus 20

While the people of Israel camped at Mount Sinai, Adonai gave them some special rules. This is what He said:

[I am Adonai your YHVH Who brought you out of bondage in the land of Egypt. You shall not put any YHVH ahead of Me. You shall not make idols for yourselves, images of the birds of the air, the animals upon the earth or the fish and creatures of the water. You must never bow to idols or serve them, for I am a jealous YHVH Who wants your undivided love. I am a YHVH Who punishes men for their sins. Sometimes the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren continue to suffer for the sins of those who hate Me. But I share My love with thousands of those who love Me and obey Me. Never speak My Name in a way that will dishonour it. Keep the Shabbat day as a holy day. Six days of the week are for work, but the seventh is for rest, a Shabbat dedicated to Adonai your YHVH. You, your children, your servants, your guests and even your cattle shall do no work on that day. In six days, I Adonai made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them; but on the seventh day I rested. I blessed the Shabbat day and consecrated it, setting it apart as a day of rest. Honour your father and mother so that you will have a long life in the land I give you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not witness falsely against your neighbour. You shall not desire your neighbour’s belongings for your own, neither his house, nor his wife, his servants, his cattle, his donkeys, nor anything else that he has.]

When the people heard the thunder and the great trumpet blast and saw the lightning and the smoke from the mountain, they stood at a distance and trembled with fear. [Let YHVH speak through you and we shall listen,] they said to Moses. [But do not let YHVH speak to us or we shall die.] [You must not be afraid,] Moses told the people. [YHVH has come this way so that you will realize His great power and will be afraid to sin against Him.] While the people stood far away, Moses walked up into the thick darkness where YHVH was. There Adonai told Moses what he should say to the people. [You have seen for yourselves how I spoke from heaven,] Adonai said. [Do not make or worship any gods of gold or silver. But make an altar of earth for Me and sacrifice your burnt offerings and peace offerings of sheep and oxen upon it. I will come to bless you in every place where I will have My Name remembered. [If you make an altar of stone for Me, build it of natural stones which have not been cut or fashioned with tools; for this will please Me. Do not build steps up to the altar, for people below might look under your garments and see your nakedness as you climb the steps.]

COMMENTARY

LAW CODES IN THE ANCIENT WORLD

In ten brief Commandments given on Mount Sinai, Adonai began to teach the people of Israel how to love Him and love each other. These Laws stress respect for YHVH and respect for the rights of other people. They reveal the moral character of YHVH. And they show the moral character that Adonai expects people who know Him to develop. The Law of Moses was not the only Law code in the ancient world. There were others, some even earlier than this. The earliest Laws were written before paper was invented, so they were inscribed on clay tablets. They came into existence in Sumeria when the king decided that there must be a way to correct certain wrongs. Public officials and powerful people were abusing the poor, widows and orphans. But these people had no right or way to complain. So, the king created laws which prohibited such behaviour and set up fines for those who disobeyed. The Laws also established rules for marriage and inheritance. The tablet ended with a list of blessings for the Law-abiding, and a barrage of curses for the offenders. In earliest times there were no judges or lawyers as we know them today. In Egypt, the only law was the word of the pharaoh. There were no written laws for centuries. The ruler of Egypt and other countries often was the supreme judge, with local leaders judging smaller cases. The Laws of the Israelites differed from those of their neighbours. On the one hand, they were harsher, with punishment by mutilation or death instead of a fine. They believed in [an eye for an eye.] On the other hand, they were more just, with the powerful and lowly receiving the same punishment. The Laws of Israel did not separate religious and social Law. All Law rested on the authority of YHVH, not man.

Thought for Today: Shabbat December 31:

In this current world-torn times, many intellectuals are asking where history is going. Will societies get better and better – or will we end up destroying ourselves? But! The last chapter of history will not be written by any human leader, however good or bad. Only YHVH will write it and it will be soon. The day is coming when the human race will stand at the edge of the abyss of world destruction. YHVH will intervene. It may be tomorrow, next week, next month, next year or in ten years from now but the outcome is certain – the future and eternity belong to the Kingdom of YHVH. Never forget; If you belong to the King of kings, you are on the winning side.

Shabbat shalom to the house of Yisra’ĕl and the house of Yehuḏah in the diaspora.

Shabbat Shalom! We pray your Shabbat is peaceful. Blessings to you and your family!

The sun has set, and I’m ready to rest! It doesn’t actually look like this outside. The snow had all melted when I woke up this morning, but that’s okay. A rainy Sabbath will be nice for resting too. ? Shabbat shalom!

This coming week, January 1-7 2023 (8-14 Tevet 5783), the Bible reading plan covers the portion VaYechi (And He Lived).

01 Jan Genesis 47:28-48:9 1 Kings 3:1-4:19 Mark 15:25-47 Psalm 37:23-29
02 Jan Genesis 48:10-16 1 Kings 4:20-6:13 Mark 16:1-20 Psalm 37:30-40
03 Jan Genesis 48:17-22 1 Kings 6:14-7:22 Luke 1:1-20 Psalm 38:1-9
04 Jan Genesis 49:1-18 1 Kings 7:23-8:21 Luke 1:21-38 Psalm 38:10-22
05 Jan Genesis 49:19-26 1 Kings 8:22-66 Luke 1:39-56 Psalm 39:1-13
06 Jan Genesis 49:27-50:20 1 Kings 9:1-10:13 Luke 1:57-80 Psalm 40:1-17
07 Jan Genesis 50:21-26 1 Kings 2:1-12 Luke 2:1-24 Psalm 41:1-13

The complete annual Bible reading plan for 2022-23 (Hebrew year 5783) is available at this link:

https://thebarkingfox.com/2022..../12/30/weekly-bible-

 

thebarkingfox.com

Weekly Bible Reading For January 1-7 2023: Vayechi (And He Lived) - The Barking Fox

This coming week, January 1-7 2023 (8-14 Tevet 5783), the Bible reading plan covers the portion VaYechi (And He Lived). 01 Jan Genesis 47:28-48:9 1 Kings 3:1-4:19 Mark 15:25-47 Psalm 37:23-29 02 Jan Genesis 48:10-16 1 Kings 4:20-6:13 Mark 16:1-20 Psa