Daily Devotions
Exodus
"The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes." Psalm 19:8
Text: Exodus 20 : 3
GENERAL DIVISION OF THE DECALOGUE
How should we understand The Decalogue? The Ten Commandments may be generally divided into two main sections.
1. Laws governing man’s relationship with God
The first four laws governed how man was to relate to the Lord! The children of Israel were not to decide for themselves how they would worship God! The Lord Himself would teach them how to relate!
2. Laws governing man’s relationship with fellowmen
God’s laws had a very good and practical expression! The last six laws governed man’s relationship with his fellowmen! Israel had seen how Pharaoh distinguished between Egyptians and non-Egyptians! The children of Israel had suffered terribly under Pharaoh, because the law of the land was tilted against them! The laws of God however were different! They were wonderfully fair and impartial!
THE CHALLENGE
The obvious challenge for Israel was to comprehend the laws of God and to obey them from the heart! The laws of God must not be seen as forbidding and burdensome! They were wonderful laws that would enrich the lives of all who would practise them with faith and love.
THE FIRST COMMANDMENT
It should not come as a surprise if the first law makes this grand declaration concerning how one is to regard the Lord!
“You shall have no other gods before Me.”
EXODUS 20:3
1. The facts
There is no other god besides the Lord God, their Redeemer! Who had shown His mighty powers in Egypt? Who had brought them out of the house of bondage? Who was providing for them, and upholding them even now? But of course, the children of Israel must never have “other gods”!
2. The Implication and Application
Behind this great declaration was a powerful implied meaning! The psalmist David showed that he understood both implication and application of this great truth in a psalm he penned. A correct application of the First Commandment must cause a believer to place God in the most pre-eminent place in his life!
“I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.”
PSALM 16:8