Preface to the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-2)

2023-03-30

Before the Ten Commandments were issued, the Lord issued this preface: “And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage” (Exodus 20:1-2).

In a way, this foreshadows the New Covenant. Because God saved us, these are the things you will do. However, the role of the Law is very different because of its condemning nature. “But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient...” (1 Timothy 1:8-9). And again, “Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). And again, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). The end of the Law shows us the need for a Savior, for no one has ever kept the Law of God in its entirety.

The first three commandments deal with God’s people’s relationship with God Himself. The last six commandments deal with God’s people’s relationship with each other. The fourth commandment is the sign of the Old Covenant, the Sabbath. Let us look at each one in turn.

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