The Ten The Ten Commandments Commandments

ReviewedReviewed

Deuteronomy 5:1-27Deuteronomy 5:1-27

IntroductionIntroduction Every Christian knows the story of the Ten Every Christian knows the story of the Ten

Commandments and should know all of them by rote. Commandments and should know all of them by rote. However, there are times when a refresher course is However, there are times when a refresher course is needed. This lesson opens at the Jordan River. The needed. This lesson opens at the Jordan River. The children of Israel are at the end of their forty years in children of Israel are at the end of their forty years in the wilderness. The current generation of Israelites the wilderness. The current generation of Israelites were just children when Israel was delivered from were just children when Israel was delivered from Egypt. During the forty years in the wilderness the Egypt. During the forty years in the wilderness the covenant that the Israelites made with God in Exodus covenant that the Israelites made with God in Exodus had been forgotten by most. Despite all the grace and had been forgotten by most. Despite all the grace and mercy God had shown the people of Israel, they were mercy God had shown the people of Israel, they were quick to forget when times got rough. At this point, quick to forget when times got rough. At this point, Moses is giving a refresher course in the law and Moses is giving a refresher course in the law and covenant to the new generation of Israelites so that covenant to the new generation of Israelites so that they will be ready to cross into the Promised Land.they will be ready to cross into the Promised Land.

The Covenant at Mount The Covenant at Mount HorebHoreb

The original covenant that was made in the book The original covenant that was made in the book of Exodus established the Israelites role as the of Exodus established the Israelites role as the people of God and gave the terms of that people of God and gave the terms of that relationship.relationship.

Moses is reiterating the covenant to give the new Moses is reiterating the covenant to give the new generation assurance that God will be with them generation assurance that God will be with them as He was with their ancestors, despite the as He was with their ancestors, despite the disobedience of their ancestors. Moses knew that disobedience of their ancestors. Moses knew that covenant was all that stood between life and covenant was all that stood between life and death for the nation of Israel. He had to reaffirm death for the nation of Israel. He had to reaffirm it for the new generation to ensure that the it for the new generation to ensure that the nation of Israel would survive.nation of Israel would survive.

The Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments - Again- Again

Moses gave the Ten Commandments to the Moses gave the Ten Commandments to the new generation just as he had given them to new generation just as he had given them to their ancestors in the time of the book of their ancestors in the time of the book of Exodus (Exodus 20)Exodus (Exodus 20)

Here is a breakdown of the commandments:Here is a breakdown of the commandments: The first four commandments concern the The first four commandments concern the

relationship between God and the peoplerelationship between God and the people The fourth commandment is delivered a little The fourth commandment is delivered a little

differently than it was originally (look at Exodus differently than it was originally (look at Exodus and Deuteronomy side by side) In this version the and Deuteronomy side by side) In this version the Israelites are commanded to use the Sabbath as a Israelites are commanded to use the Sabbath as a time to remember and reflect on how God delivered time to remember and reflect on how God delivered them them

The last six commandments governed the behavior The last six commandments governed the behavior of the Israelites in their communityof the Israelites in their community

Life ApplicationLife Application

Rules are an important part of every Rules are an important part of every community. Without them those who are community. Without them those who are part of the community would not be able part of the community would not be able to have any positive interaction with one to have any positive interaction with one another and chaos would reignanother and chaos would reign

The Ten Commandments are still relevant The Ten Commandments are still relevant today. They are the basic rules that all today. They are the basic rules that all Christians should live by. They teach us Christians should live by. They teach us how our relationships with God, our how our relationships with God, our families, and our community should be.families, and our community should be.

Questions for Discussion Questions for Discussion and Meditationand Meditation

Why are God’s rules so important? Why are God’s rules so important? Why should we accept them?Why should we accept them?

How do the Ten Commandments fit How do the Ten Commandments fit into today’s Christian community?into today’s Christian community?

Why is it important for parents teach Why is it important for parents teach their children the Ten their children the Ten Commandments?Commandments?