September 2, 2021 Exodus 20:20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” In response to the panic that stuck many of the people assembled at the foot of the mountain, Moses tried to reassure the […]
September 1, 2021 Exodus 20:19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” Before we move on to other verses, I felt it was important to make this last observation about Israel’s request for God to stop speaking directly to […]
AUGUST 31, 2021 Exodus 20:19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” As I shared yesterday, it is very typical for people to say whatever they need to say in order to get themselves out of an uncomfortable situation. […]
AUGUST 30, 2021 Exodus 20:19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.” It is very important to notice the reason given by the people for requesting that God stop speaking directly to them — they didn’t want to die. […]
AUGUST 29, 2021 Exodus 20:18 “Now all the people witnessed the thundering, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.” That God appeared to them in this manner is to emphasize that the God of Israel speaks to His […]
AUGUST 28, 2021 Exodus 20:17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.” To “covet” is to long for possession of something that, in most cases, we cannot obtain […]
AUGUST 27, 2021 Exodus 20:16 The previous three commands address wrongs that we should not commit against our fellow man by actual deed. This command addresses the wrongs we are not commit against our brother with our mouth. In addition to the obvious -– don’t provide false testimony -– there are other ways to sin […]
AUGUST 26, 2021 Exodus 20:15 In my view there are only a few things more vile than a thief. To take someone’s property and belongings is to steal the fruit of their ambition and hard work. And so when you think of it that way, to steal from someone is an assault on them personally. […]
AUGUST 25, 2021 Exodus 20:14 Like the previous instruction, this second command of the second tablet parallels its counterpart on the first tablet – “You shall have no idols.” One who would betray their spouse can be expected to betray the God who calls Himself “Jealous” and demands exclusivity. Those who go after other gods […]
AUGUST 24, 2021 Exodus 20:13 The first five commandments given to us have an accompanying explanation; for example, the command to honor ones’ father and mother is followed by “that your days may be long.” In sharp contrast, the last five are brief and to the point, beginning with the phrase, “Thou shalt not…” Furthermore, […]
AUGUST 23, 2021 Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” As was discussed yesterday, we are to respect our parents and to follow in the way they have shown us, assuming that what they taught us is to live according […]
AUGUST 22, 2021 Exodus 20:12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Judaism believes that the first of the two tablets that contain the commandments addresses man’s relationship with God. If so, it is interesting that the fifth commandment on this first […]
