Lesson 9: Treat God Like This, Treat People Like This
Exodus 20
This section of Exodus exposes us to the basic laws governing the protection of life and property among the Hebrews. You may question the importance of studying this so a word of explanation may help. Basically, the people were to have a special relationship with the Great Jehovah, Lord God Almighty, and this meant they were obligated to obey him. The laws established relating to every subject and area of life, were not arbitrary but were based on the unchanging character of God and the everlasting moral principles of the Ten Commandments. Thus, every facet of their lives would have God at the center and their love of God would make obedience to his commandments a blessing and not be oppressive.
However, laws themselves, either civil statures or moral commandments, in themselves, are powerless to change human nature. A law can not protect any of us from harm, injury or loss. Laws do not prevent this by themselves, it is through the regulation of human behavior that laws and commandments are effective. A society or a personal relationship, uncontrolled can become chaotic and often dangerous. One of the most disastrous periods in Jewish history can during the time of the judges when “every man did that which was right in his own eyes.”(Judges 17:6) Therefore, the manner in which they regarded God was basic to the way the people of Israel would live in the world.
Read 20:1-17
1. How did God identify himself to the people? ______________________________________
2. Why is it important to know the source of our laws? _______________________________
3. We could get the idea that keeping God’s laws is the only need we have to be right in our relationship with him. What is the weakness of this argument? ________________________
4. The law was not given as a way for salvation for the Jews or anyone else. True or False?
5. Commandments 1 through 4 relate to ______. Commandments 5 through 10 relate to ______.
6. Why was the phrase, “the Lord your God” repeated so often in this section? ___________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. “Pluralism”, the practice of recognizing many different Gods is illogical. How is this so?
____________________________________________________________________________
8. Why do some people have their own idols that they worship? _______________________
9. Why does God want us to honor his name? _______________________________________
10. What is the “Sabbath” and why is it important? _________________________________________
11. What was the promise given for “honoring one’s parents?” ________________________________
12. ______ is a gift from God and only He has the __________________ to take it.
13. How serious was the keeping of marriage vows? __________________________________
14. Respect for personal property was central in maintaining good relationships with others. What are three ways we can obtain property and wealth?
A. ________________________________________.
B. ________________________________________.
C. ________________________________________.
15. How does a person’s “word” reflect on their character? __________________________
16. When we slander another person or engage in gossip, how does that reflect on our “word?”
_____________________________________________________________________________
17. What, in your opinion, is the meaning of “covet?” _________________________________
18. How do our thoughts lead us to committing acts against others, both good and bad?
______________________________________________________________________________
Read 20:18-22
19. What was the unusual request the people asked of Moses after the God had spoke to them?
_____________________________________________________________________________
20. What did Moses tell them was the purpose of the “fear of God?” _____________________
21. What application can we make of the admonition God gave Moses for the people to not make “gods of gold or silver?” ____________________________________________________
The Ten Commandments end with an emphasis on being a good neighbor. Jesus told his disciples that the second commandment is to “love your neighbor as yourself.” If we love our neighbors then we won’t steal from them, we won’t covet their property, we won’t lie to them or do any of the other things God prohibits in His Word. This is why love is the fulfillment of the law but because we are imperfect creatures, only God can change our sinful hearts and give us the love we need to obey Him and to care for others.