Scripture: “You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13 ESV Observation: The ethical prohibition of murder rests on the sanctity of human life as image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:26–27 9:6). While the Hebrew language possesses seven words for killing, the word used here (rāṣaḥ) appears forty-seven times in the Old Testament. It carries the weight of the premeditated murder of […]
Unconditional Honor
Scripture: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20: 12 ESV Observation: As the Apostle Paul notes, this fifth commandment is the first with a promise (Ephesians 5:2). But as most theologians deduce, the Lord’s blessing extends not to the […]
Sabbath Shalom
Scripture: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, […]
Above All Other Names
Scripture: “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 ESV Observation: Scholars debate the etymology of the Hebrew word šawʾ, translated as “vain” above. Some contend it refers to cursing (using the name to say […]
Worshiping Our Creator Over His Creation
Scripture: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, […]
Bow and Worship our King
Scripture: And God spoke all these words, saying, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:1-3 ESV Observations: Slowing the pace of our walk through the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew […]
