Key Verse: “…Hear, O Israel, the decrees and laws I declare in your hearing today. Learn them and be sure to follow them.” Deuteronomy 5:1b-2
The passage contains the Ten Commandments, which is a blueprint of faith: laws which were given to the people of Israel at Mt. Sinai through Moses. The commandments serve as a reminder of the need for spiritual discipline, being the creation of God. God giving the commandments is a continuous reminder of the covenantal relationship we have with the Lord. The laws do not bind us, but rather, enable us to be efficient in our day to day life, so that we can walk with the Lord righteously and without blame.
1. Relationship between God and humanity.
The first four commandments deal with the relationship between God and human beings. We need to remember that God create each of us with a purpose. Our goal is to fulfill His will in our life. The Israelites, were consistently tempted to turn away from God, through idolatry. Sometimes, we are also guilty of idolatry, as we give more priority to worldly things over God, or we try to shape God the way we want. Both are different forms of idolatry. Let us follow God genuinely, in the way He desires. Remember that He is the potter, and we are the clay.
2. Relationship between humans.
The final six commandments are meant to highlight the relationship between human beings. Despite our human desires, self-interests, and disagreements, we need to be in right relationship with human beings. We need to live lives of continuous reconciliation. Our relationship with other human beings directly reflects our relationship with God. Today, as Christians, we fail to give priority to the word of God and its statutes. The world offers so many self-help books and different pointers for living a successful life. The word of God serves as the faithful guidebook for us. The word of God gives us answers, which surpasses worldly knowledge or understanding. Let us maintain our persistent focus on the Lord, and follow His word, as given to us. Not following His word leads to spiritual deviance. Let us reflect, and recommit ourselves into His mighty hand, and walk with Him all the days of our life. Let us take our faith and relationship with God more seriously.
Prayer: O Lord God, we thank you for the life and faith of Moses. Help us to grow in our spiritual discipline in a way which transforms us as Your image, and which gives glory to You.
Amen.
Thought: The ten commandments are a blueprint of faith, as is God’s word. Do we follow them faithfully to live fruitfully?
