Lent 3: Old Testament, Exodus 20:1-17                             

Exodus 20:1-17

Exodus chapter twenty is one of the “Biggies” in the Bible. Yes, I know it’s all inspired and that makes all of it powerful and prominent. But in the twentieth of Exodus we find The Ten Commandments or “The Ten Words” as the Hebrews would have it. It is for us as followers of Jesus the Jewish Messiah, the moral code of all moral codes, the law of all laws. This is the will of God Almighty. Immense isn’t it that the moral requirements of an all-wise God can be so briefly summarized? And it is a summary. 613 commandments comprise the Law of Moses and knowing how I do with ten? Well, 613 is beyond me … or anyone.

And thanks be to God, the law is not given to save. Most of the world, even those who have picked up the Bible to read do not realize that. But acceptance with God is not about me or anyone else being “good enough.” That is the message of the gospel, or a huge part of it. The Law shows me my badness. My unconquerable badness. I owe God. And by the Law I would always owe Him. Can’t pay it, either. Ever.

Enter Jesus. My payment. Your payment. The world’s payment. But I digress. Back to the Intro of Exodus 20. Before we ever get to that unattainable list of dos and don’ts God speaks to His people. Don’t miss it. HIS PEOPLE!

“And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt’” (Ex. 20:1-2). Did you catch that? Before the test, before the commandments proceed out of God’s mouth God says, “I am the LORD your God.” They are already His people. He owns them. He claims them. Do not miss the intro! He does not set before this people His commandments in order that they may obey them and thus become His possession. They already are.

If my access to the Holy God of the Commandments is based on my successful and total obedience (and that is what is required by virtue of the author), I am toast. So are you, and so is everyone ever conceived. But God introduces Himself before handing out His rulebook just so they and we would know that He claims us outside of our performance. God be praised.

By the way, this IS an introduction. Have you met?