READING FOR JULY 9, 2024: EXODUS 20, 1 THESSALONIANS 3, PSALM 66:1-12 EXODUS 20 Just as God set up physical boundaries at Mount Sinai and a behavioral boundary against eating forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, God now gives Israel a comprehensive set of moral boundaries with the ten commandments. It might be better to characterize them as Jesus did: ways to love God and neighbor (Matt 28:37-40). Although we know Jesus fulfilled the ceremonial and sacrificial aspects of the law, the New Testament writers reaffirmed all these commandments, with a possible exception of Sabbath keeping (Rom. 14: 5-6).
Jesus, himself, said, “if you want to enter life, keep the commandments” (Matt.19:17). When asked which ones, he listed, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 19:18-20). Jesus’s statement, “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matt.6:33), could not be clearer regarding the preeminent devotion and respect required toward God described in the opening four commandments.
The commands are numbered differently by different faith groups. For example, the Catholic numbering system is different than the Methodist’s. The reasons are too complex to explain here. John Wesley, though, firmly taught that these commandments are meant to be obeyed by us today: “Every part of this law must remain in force upon all mankind in all ages, as not depending either on time or place, nor on any other circumstances liable to change; but on the nature of God and the nature of man, and their unchangeable relation to each other" (Wesley's Sermons, Vol. I, Sermon 25). Some observations about the commandments: COMMANDMENT 1. It is the specific God who brought Israel out of Egypt, as revealed in the Bible, who is our God. Being a Biblical Christian is not being inclusive on this point. This is a matter of truth not preference. COMMANDMENT 2a. Anything we worship, whether a golden calf or more often today money, sex, fame, and power, is idolatry. About images: even today, traditional rabbinic authorities cite this verse for not approving of art including the full human form. Likewise, the famous Christian theologian J. I. Packer brings this Christian perspective: “God says quite categorically, ‘Thou shalt not make any likeness of anything’ for use in worship. This categorical statement rules out not simply the use of pictures and statues which depict God as an animal, but also the use of pictures and statues which depict Him as the highest created thing we know, a human.” COMMANDMENT 2b. Social scientists define generational poverty as affecting multiple generations. It is not strange that the effects of sin extend similarly. But God shows favor to thousands who love and obey Him. COMMANDMENT 3. Evoking or representing God’s name inappropriately brings guaranteed punishment. COMMANDMENT 4. Often, we fail to notice God commands us to work six days. We also fail to see how God consciously limited overworking and income acquisition. Finally, do we notice this memorializes creation? COMMANDMENT 5. Honoring parents=longer life. Parents passed away? It is never too late to honor them. COMMANDMENT 6. Taking innocent human life is wrong. Does this include abortion and euthanasia? COMMANDMENT 7. Once again, there are definitional disputes. Does “adultery” serve as an umbrella term including any sex outside marriage? Or does it refer to a married person engaged in sex outside of marriage?
READING FOR JULY 9, 2024 CONTINUED: EXODUS 20, 1 THESSALONIANS 3, PSALM 66:1-12 It’s a moot point. Even if the narrower definition is intended here, other passages forbid the broader category of sex outside of marriage, often using the word πορνείας (Heb. 13:9, 1 Cor. 7:2, Acts 15:29, and 1 Thes. 4:3).
COMMANDMENT 8. Stealing hurts all of us because it causes prices to rise, hurting the poor most of all. It has taken a high-tech twist that can wipe out the savings of its victims, often the elderly. It is Satanic (John 10:10).
COMMANDMENT 9. We have just witnessed trials for Donald Trump and Hunter Biden. Truthful testimony is essential for justice to function. Have we ever left false impressions by words, silence, or body language?
COMMANDMENT 10. This final command looks ahead to Jesus’s elaboration of the commands in His Sermon on the Mount. It addresses God’s interests in our thoughts, not just visible actions. Read James 1:14-15.
I THESSALONIANS 3 Have we ever been desperate to learn how someone is doing? Paul only had three weeks in Thessalonica before he had to leave. In verses 1 and 5 he says he couldn’t wait any longer to learn if they were still believers, so he sent Timothy to find out. His relief in learning that they were walking with God is overwhelming. Do we care for others’ faith in God with such intensity? In verses 7-9 Paul suggests that all his pain and hardships were worth it for the joy he feels over their faith. Let’s pray the Lord gives us that level of love for others.
This doesn’t mean that he thinks they’ve now arrived spiritually. Once again, he tells them he’s praying for them and hopes to see them soon for a spiritual follow up. Then he offers a prayer that their love and holiness increase so they might be ready for Christ’s return. BE READY!
PSALM 66:1-12 The Psalmist begins with a blast. There are times for quiet reflection and sorrowful contrition, but here at least is a time to let loose with a joyful shout to the Lord. He even tells exactly what to say to God: Your name is glorious, and your works are awesome. How interesting that even God’s enemies are aware of His power, making them to pretend to be obedient. This appeared to happen recently when a national church leader proclaimed His total obedience to the Bible while advocating against what the Bible clearly states. In verse 4 it says all the earth will worship God, but the verse before suggests God’s enemies are faking obedience. Is this a contradiction? Perhaps, the praise is also fake. Perhaps this includes future praise that is forced but too late, as in Phil. 2:10-11: “So that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Or perhaps the reference to “earth” means the material creation: “The heavens tell of the glory of God; and their expanse declares the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (Psalm 19:1-2). The Psalmist invites us all to examine God’s works. One in particular is the Red Sea crossing. He reminds us God is watching and ruling everything, so those who rebel against Him should not feel too great. Verses 10-11 reminds us that God has tried us by bringing severe difficulties our way and that this process has served to refine our faith like silver. DO WE BELIEVE THIS? CAN WE REFRAME OUR DIFFICULTIES WITH THIS THOUGHT IN MIND?
