The Law, P1
This blog post is Part 26 of a series entitled "From Fear To Freedom" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN.
Message Date: September 9, 2024
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Did you know, in Tennessee... It’s illegal to use a lasso to catch a fish. It’s also illegal to carry a skunk across state lines. But if you run over a skunk, or an opossum, or any other animal with your car, it is not illegal to eat that roadkill! Also, it is illegal for a woman to call a man on the phone and ask him on a date in Tennessee. Did you know that you can be arrested if you are caught spitting on the sidewalk. It is illegal to hold hands on public school grounds. What is crazy about this law, it was just signed into law in Tennessee in 2012! And you think Tennessee is a little crazy... listen to this... In Alabama, it is illegal to wear a fake mustache in church! In Arizona, a donkey cannot sleep in a bathtub. This one would never go over in Tennessee: In Colorado, it is illegal to keep a couch on your front porch. And it is also illegal to disrupt a church service unless you are kin to the Pastor.
Imagine a lawless world; a world where no laws exist! How crazy would such a world be! Well, we often think of Moses as the great deliver; the great emancipator. He was. He too was the great law giver. Deliverance from fear; deliverance from bondage and slavery... this was obviously a life-changing trajectory for the nation of Israel. But, on the other side of their freedom, a nation without laws, really isn’t a nation free. A nation without laws is actually a nation still in bondage; a nation enslaved to chaos; a nation of disorder; a nation immersed in anarchy.
The law was necessary for God’s people if they were to ever become a truly free nation.
What I have gleaned from this part of the story is just how necessary laws are for us as a humanity. We do not always like them. But oh how we need them! Exodus 19-40 is segmented into three primary sections:
Exodus 19-20: The Moral Law: How God’s people are to live
Exodus 21-24: The Civil Law: How God’s people are to govern
Exodus 25-31: The Ceremonial Law: How God’s people are to worship
We are going to begin the study of the Moral Law.
Exodus 20:1-17
The importance of God’s law for His people, for the nation of Israel and for us today, cannot be overstated. Of course, God’s people knew of laws before this time. While in Egypt, they would have been subjected to and governed by the strictness of the Hammurabi, which was the law code of the Egyptians.
What makes the Ten Commandments stand apart from all other laws:
1. Simplicity. The Hammurabi is extremely detailed and often confusing.
2. No room for compromise. God is exceptionally clear on His expectations for us as His Church.
3. Written by God. These are God’s Words. These are God’s truths. These are God’s expectations for His Church.
I called 12 people this week and asked them the same question: Can you state the 10 Commandments in order 1-10? Not a single one could. Full disclosure... neither could I.
Two realities within the Church as it relates to the Ten Commandments:
1. We know the Ten Commandments... kind of.
We know the 10 Commandments. When they are referenced, we immediately recognize them as the commandments of God outlined in Exodus chapter 20. However, I presume, a majority of people here in this room cannot list in order all 10 of the Commandments. Can you? Americans overwhelmingly consider themselves to be Christians. If not Christians, still so very many people consider themselves to be religious. 63% of the American population says, “I am a Christian.” Most claim to believe in God. However, less than 84% of Americans can list five of the 10 Commandments, much less all 10.
2. We live by the Ten Commandments... kind of.
We know the 10 Commandments. However, the old saying could never be more true than in this case: Actions speak louder than words. Several weeks ago, we repeated 8 words the nation of Israel said. Do you recall these words:
We will do everything the Lord has said. Exodus 19:8
Scripture tells us the entire nation of Israel, on two separate occasions, said these words to God. However, it would only be a short time from these two moments, these two proclamations on the part of the nation of Israel, where God’s people break their promise and disobey His laws. As a Christ follower, you must be very careful with the words you use to God proclaiming the life you will live for God. In short... be extremely careful with the promises you make to God. If we wanted to know the Ten Commandments, every one of them, we would. If we wanted to live by the Ten Commandments, every one of them, truly live by them, we would. The Ten Commandments are known by numerous names. The Jews refer to these Commandments as the Ten Words. The Commandments are also known as the Law, the Covenant, the Law and the Covenant, the Tablets of Testimony, and the Law of the Testimony. Have you ever wondered why there are two tablets? Look at this passage describing the moment God gave, for a second time, the Commandments to Moses:
When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. Exodus 31:18
A rational conclusion as to why there are two tablets leads most, I presume, to surmise that there were 5 Commandments written by God on each of the tablets. However, a closer history lesson of ancient Egyptian practices reveals that often two parties involved in a covenant would enter such an agreement by inscribing the exact same treaty on two pieces of stone – one stone for each. Therefore, it is more likely that the same Ten Commandments were written on both tablets, each to document the two parties, God and mankind. So let’s begin a discussion of each of the Ten Commandments in greater detail this morning.
Commandment #1: You shall have no other gods before me.
Exodus 20:3
On four occasions in the book of Leviticus, we read these 6 words: Be holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:44
What does it mean to live “holy?” Well, the answer is provided in the Ten Commandments. And we clearly see this in the very first law God gives Moses. This first commandment embodies the fullness of man’s appropriate position he is to take with a holy, righteous God. Everything in and about our relationship with God is summarized in this one, this first, commandment. God is clearly stating right from the beginning that:
“I am God. I am the only God. I deserve all of your praise. I expect all of your loyalty. I am a holy, righteous, all-powerful God. And anything short of your complete devotion and fidelity is unacceptable.”
It too is important to note that, if you believe God is referring solely to you and I not worshipping other gods or other religions with this commandment, you are gravely incorrect. Commandment #1 forces you and me to exercise an exhaustive examination of our lives asking the ever-important question: Is there anything more important to me than my relationship with God? You see, anything in your life that takes a greater position of importance, passion, interest, attitude, focus, determination, zeal, and priority over God becomes an idol. In this sense... We are much like the nation of Israel... our idols just look different. If your success is more important to you than God, then your success is an idol. If your career is more important to you than God, then your career is an idol. If your spouse is more important to you than God, then your spouse is an idol. If loving and taking care of your child is more important to you than God, then your child is an idol. If your ministry, the way in which you serve, your church traditions, your church comforts, the way in which you are accustomed to doing church, the way in which you like doing church... If any of these things are more important to you than God, this is your idol.
When God says, “You shall have no other gods before me,” God is saying: “Place me first.” “Be most attune to my voice than any other voice.” “Worship only me.” Jesus confirms this timeless commandment from God when, in Matthew 26, we read where Pharisees came to Him and asked:
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Matthew 22:36-37
I thought about this commandment for a long time this week – about the practical application of having “no other gods before me.”
The key to living with no other gods before Jehovah God: Striving to see everything from God’s point of view.
Thinking and choosing and acting and responding as God would. His moral will must direct your decision making. His commandments must envelope your life. This means you place God at the first of all your thoughts, your passions, your work ethic, your goals, your relationships, your leisure moments, and your spending and investing and giving practices. In all ways, striving to see everything from God’s point of view means, as Jesus stated... You choose, above everything else, to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
Commandment #2: You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.
Exodus 20:4
Commandment #2 goes on to say:
Exodus 20:5-6
I've heard it said before: The second commandment sounds a whole lot like the first commandment. Though the two Commandments are related, a close analysis of both clearly reveals this distinction: Commandment #1 deals with the object of our worship - to worship God and only God. Commandment #2 deals with how we are to worship God. And this Commandment clearly articulates that we are not to worship God using any images, statues, or idols. Idol worship was rampant in Egypt during the 400 years God’s people were enslaved in this country. There were more than 2,000 gods worshipped by the Egyptians. And many, so very many, idols had been erected throughout the nation representing these gods. Throughout much of the nation were carved images to which the Egyptians bowed, sacrificed, and worshipped. Often this pagan worship involved prostitution as well as the sacrifice of children. This is why, when Moses outlines the law God’s people are to follow in greater detail, we see such passages as these:
Do not give any of your children to be sacrificed to Molek, for you must not profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 18:21
Molek was a Canaanite god associated with the practice of child sacrifice by fire. It was believed that a family who sacrificed their child by fire to Molek would inherit blessings and safety from their enemies. How jacked up is this?! We too read this outlined in the book of Deuteronomy:
No Israelite man or woman is to become a shrine prostitute. Deuteronomy 23:17
God so clearly wanted his people to understand just how very seriously he takes the practice of worshiping images. After God speaks these Ten Commandments, Moses encourages the people not to be afraid. And then look at what happens in verse 20:
Exodus 20:20-21
Moses approaches God, and look at what God immediately says:
Exodus 20:22-23
Though God outlined His commandments for having no other gods before Him with Commandment #1, and for not worshiping images and idols in Commandment #2, after stating all of the Commandments, He goes right back to make these expectations extremely clear once again! God takes idol worshipping extremely seriously! Answer this: While Moses is on the mountain meeting with God for 40 days and 40 nights, what are the first two Commandments God’s people disobey?
Exodus 32:1-8
How alarming that while God is meeting with Moses on Mt. Sinai inscribing the Ten Commandments He expects his people to follow, the nation of Israel is at the base of the mountain indulging in two disobedient acts completely in defiance to Commandments 1 and 2! Additionally, what really speaks to me personally about Commandment #2 is the responsibility I have to parent well my children. Parents, grandparents... what a reminder to us all:
Your children learn to live by watching how you live. Your children learn to worship by watching how you worship.
This is a wonderfully important responsibility. But too, a reminder of warning. Because too: Your children learn to idolize by watching how you idolize. When your children view you expending energy on worldly pursuits, they will do the same. Your children observe both the good and the bad habits of your life. And they develop habits as they follow your lead. What a great reminder to all parents of just how very seriously God takes our responsibility to lead our children well.
Commandment #3: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Exodus 20:7
In the NIV of the Bible, there are 967 different names and titles of God! 967! I’ve got about five names - - Jeffrey, Jeff, Jeffrey Dean, father, and Bentley and Boone’s daddy. That’s it! Although many presume misusing the name of the Lord refers to using the Lord’s name as a swear word, though this is true, there is much more involved with a vain use of God’s name. To fully comprehend misusing the Lord’s name, it is critical that you understand that the concept embodied in God’s name plays such a unique role in the Bible.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:1
He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever - holy and awesome is his name. Psalm 111:9
Jesus, when telling us how to pray, before saying anything else exclaims that we should begin all our prayers with this statement: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name... Matthew 6:9
So as we pray, our first thought should be to offer reverence and submission and honor to the very name of our God! I wonder how many can attest to the reality that you often “burst” into the presence of God when praying with a presumptuous and often audacious list of the things you want God to do for you. Jesus is revealing that, your first thought when approaching a Holy God, is to be in awe of His holiness and in wonder over His willingness to even allow you to approach Him. This is an act, a dispensation, one should never take for granted. Any usage of God’s name, such as, “Oh my God,” or even the abbreviated ever-popular social media version, “OMG,” is a misuse of God’s name! A quick Google search of, “What is the definition of OMG?” Simply reveals the answer: “Oh my God! Saying, “God” with the use of the word “damn” after it is a blasphemous use of Jehovah God’s name. Look again at what God spoke to Moses at the end of verse 7:
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. Exodus 20:7
Such a statement should literally leave a mere human race speechless! Of course, this is not the only way in which a Holy God’s name is misused. God will later tell the nation of Israel to be warned when attaching His name to a promise you make... and then break!
Do not swear falsely by my name and so profane the name of your God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 19:12
A person using God’s name to confirm an oath, and then breaking such a promise, indicates a lack of reverence for God as well as a lack of fear of His holy retribution. Jesus said this:
Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’ But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:33-37
I too want to point out that there is a larger sense in which people today misuse the name of God. If you receive Jesus as Lord, yet consistently disobey His commands, you misuse the name of God. If you pray in His name, yet after saying, “Amen,” you then deliberately speak negatively or in a degrading manner about another, you misuse the name of God. If you proclaim to be a follower of the Christ, yet live and act and think and speak in a worldly or profane manner, you misuse the name of God! If you profess, “I love Jesus,” yet do not follow His will for your life in every area of your life, you misuse the name of God.
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
The name of the Lord is holy, as He is holy. The name of the Lord is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. You are to esteem and honor His name as you revere and glorify God in how you choose to live and speak and think and act and love. To do any less is to misuse the name of God. Y’all we are just going to continue to see as we study these 10 Commandments just how very robust and powerful are these Commandments. And too, by choosing to live by them, just how very freeing they truly are for the one who chooses to love the Lord God with all your heart, and soul, and mind.
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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.