Reflections based on Exodus 20:1–20.

In amongst the cloud and fire, God spoke directly to Moses, giving him the Ten Commandments to take back down to the people. So often these are viewed as a list of rules to live by — if we manage to keep them all in our own strength then somehow we will be holy enough to be allowed to call ourselves Christians. However, as Phil Moore points out in his book Straight to the heart of Moses, the timing of when God gave the commandments is critical. He didn’t give them to Moses when he met him at the burning bush and sent him as His messenger to the Israelites in Egypt. They were given after God had saved them. They were given to show them how they should respond to the salvation God had provided for them. 

Far from a standard that we need to live up to, the Ten Commandments, and indeed the whole Jewish Law, can be seen as a measuring stick of holiness. God uses them to convince Israel – and us – that there is nothing we can do in our own strength to make ourselves spiritually holy. 

Interestingly, when Jesus walked the earth He referred back to the Ten Commandments, sometimes even going further than they do (for example, v14 talks about not committing adultery; in Matt 5:28 Jesus says if a man even looks at a woman lustfully he has committed adultery). No, these commandments are not things for the Israelites – and us – to strive to do. They are to convince us all of the need to accept God’s salvation — and holiness. Indeed each commandment says ‘You shall’. We can read this phrase as a barked order – or a loving promise. Which do you think God meant? 

Prayer: Father, while You lovingly revealed to the Israelites ways in which they could commune with You, I cannot be holy without accepting Your gift of salvation. I do so again today. Amen.