Right now, Katie and I are reading through the Bible in 90 days and today I’m starting Deuteronomy. I’m a little behind so I should’ve started Deuteronomy yesterday, but I’ll make up for it.
In Deuteronomy 5, the 10 commandments are given again. One of the things I appreciate about Deuteronomy is that it is a recap of sorts of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.
For many, the 10 commandments are seen as what makes a good person. Many Americans believe if you follow the 10 commandments, you’ll go to heaven. They are a standard many set for themselves.
In reality, the 10 commandments are God’s design for how his followers, specifically in the nation of Israel in Exodus and Deuteromony will live with other and with God. As slaves in Egypt in the book of Exodus, they were told how to live, when to eat, when to rest. They didn’t know how to do this on their own. God gives them guidelines on how to do this.
Many think the 10 commandments are more slavery, in fact, the nation of Israel falls into sin so often they seem to think God was trying to bring them back into bondage and that they knew better. This plays out a lot in our lives as well. Every time we take matters into our own hands, go our way, it usually leads to disaster because it starts with what we want instead of what God wants.
Here’s the thing in Deuteronomy though, it starts in vs. 6 of chapter 5, and before saying what the commandments are, God reminds them of who he is, who they were, what he has done to rescue them. The 10 commandments are to be a response of gratitude, humility and worship for their redemption. Not more slavery.
I think this provides a great lens for following Jesus. The commands in scripture are found in the context of: this is who God is, this is who you were before being rescued, this is who you are now that you are rescued, now respond by obeying the one who rescued you.
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