Introduction

It has been noted here, that the Law is a spiritual matter. One way to view that is that the Law belongs to the Holy Spirit, is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God. However, what is also at issue here is a proper understanding of what the Law means - a lawful using of the Law. To that end, I'd like to explore the Ten Commandments a bit, and see what can be discerned as regards their real and spiritual meaning. I'll simply take them in the order they were given in Ex 20:1- 17. Since I recall Calvin having written some excellent things on this, I will probably include his comments as well, but I'll start with my own.

No Other Gods (Ex 20:3) (8/30/00)

Some parallel verses to start: Dt 6:14 - We are not to follow any of the gods of the people who surround us, 2Ki 17:35 - neither to bow down to them, to serve them, nor to sacrifice to them, Jer 25:6 - for to do so would be to have our works anger God. Jer 35:15 - This has ever been the reminder which the prophets spoke. Ex 15:11 - There is no other like God, majestic, holy, and awesome. Ex 20:23 - No manufactured idols are to be allowed.

This is probably the most widely understood and spoken on of the commandments. Jesus placed it as one of the two parallel commandments that are to determine our actions in life, and declared that the whole of the Law and the Prophets depended upon this very thought, which we see echoed in Jeremiah above. The ramifications are clear. Nothing - absolutely nothing - is to have a higher place in our attention than God has. Nothing - absolutely nothing - is to have that degree of sacrifice and devotion which God is to have. We know this, we understand this, and yet… How many idols do we create in our lives? How many things do we allow to crowd out our time with our Lord? Work, house, family, church, education, sports, causes. None of these things are bad things, any more than the Law itself is a bad thing. Yet all of these, like the Law, present a potential base of operations to sin, as they all present to our minds one more thing that can distract us from our proper worship. We all know that God wants all of us. We all know that He is not offended when we are involved in good things. We all know that a good thing pushed to extremes becomes a bad thing. And yet we do it all the time. "You can't have too much of a good thing" may be one of the biggest lies of our time. Of course you can. There's only one good thing you can't have too much of, and that's God. He's got to be the priority, the focus, the director and finisher of all we are and all we do. God, help us to make it so in our lives.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The first commandment requires us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God, and our God; and to worship and glorify him accordingly. The first commandment forbids the denying, or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God, and our God; and the giving of that worship and glory to any other, which is due to him alone. These words, before me, in the first commandment teach us, that God, who sees all things, takes notice of, and is much displeased with, the sin of having any other God."

From Calvin's Institutes: (9/7/00)

God alone is to be the authority for His people. Nothing of His is to be transferred to another. Those things that are His are our adoration, our worshipful submission to His greatness; our trust and assurance which arise from recognizing Him as all wisdom, righteousness, truth, and goodness, and power; our calling upon Him as our only support in time of need; and our thanksgiving for all good things. These are to be His and His alone. Not only are these things to be kept from any other, but the are to remain His. It gains us nothing to cease from all gods. Our worship, trust, calling and thanks must be to the One true God, "For it is unlawful to take away even a particle from His glory." Nor is there a place for personal inventions, here. All that we do is before His face. When we set up our own creations for worship, it is done in His sight, provoking Him to jealousy, even as an adulteress bringing her consort into the home of her husband. Even our thoughts ought be kept pure if we are to expect God's approval.

No Idols (Ex 20:4-20:6) (8/31/00)

Again, some parallel verses: Lev 19:4, Lev 26:1 - No idols, no pillars, no stone figures to bow down to, none of that. Because God is the LORD our God. Dt 4:15-19 - take care not to create images of life and worship them, nor to worship the hosts of heaven that God created. Dt 27:15 - Such as set up such an idol in secret are cursed of God.

At its surface, this seems like a continuation of the first commandment, but it is a different issue being addressed. Why such great concern over statues and images and the like? I think a lot of it has to do with the culture that surrounded God's people. All the peoples around Israel at the time were of a mind to have statues representing the pantheon of "gods" that they opted to worship. In truth, some of the examples in Scripture show that the actual worship was directed toward the statue itself, and the concern over anything that might happen to it is telling. Israel showed much the same propensity for becoming overly connected with the image and forgetting God. The serpent in the desert is a primary example of this. In some ways, the ark of the covenant was another example. How does this fit us today? What has it to do with our lives? I think the aspect we need to carry with us daily is that we are not to conform to the ways of those around us, our lives should be distinctly different - perceivably different. Our habits are to be holy, our words are to be holy, our lives are to be set aside to God. How often are we shamed by the efforts and good deeds that the nonbeliever next to us is doing? How often does it appear to our senses that God's people are the least helpful of people on the planet? But we must remember we serve an ineffable God. And, as such, much of the work of God's people is ineffable itself - it cannot be directly seen. Now, if we are truly being sluggards, neither doing fleshly works nor spiritual, then perhaps condemnation is just. But, more likely is the idea that our works are more in the spiritual, and not directly visible in the natural. "The prayers of a righteous man availeth much."

Another aspect of the idol / image issue that strikes me is that all such idols and images were attempts to bring this ineffable God down to our level, to make of His awesome greatness something we can grasp. To those who had such statuary, it was a way they could manipulate their "gods" into being beneficent towards themselves. We serve a different and true God. He is not to be manipulated, though it often seems our prayers try to do just that. He will be what He is, He will do as He will. And, He has presented us with the one "image" that we are allowed in Christ Jesus. This is our image of God. This is the means God chose to come down to our level - not for us to bring Him to our level, but Himself willingly offering Himself at our level. This remains a thing for us to be concerned with today. If there is anything in us which is attempting to bring God down to our level, we've missed the point; He's already done so. If anything other than Jesus has called to us as being God's representation, we've been deceived. If our prayer life has become a manipulative tool, we need to repent of that immediately. Yes, we are told to make our needs known to our God, for He is our provider. Yes, we are told to be persistent in prayer. We are, in essence, told to talk to God as our Father, for such He is. As a parent (and an ex-child), I know the difference between the trusting conversation of child and father, and the attempts by the child to get their own way. We know the difference, and yet we are willing to approach our Father attempting to get our own way. God, help us to recall Your holiness to mind when we approach You. Though we approach boldly in the name of Your Son, though we come to You a needy people, keep us mindful of who we come to. Help us, Lord, to accept the truth that we have seen You in Your Son. Keep us, oh God, from accepting any other proffered representative, for Christ alone is Your chosen One.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The second commandment requires the receiving, observing, and keeping pure and entire, all such religious worship and ordinances as God hath appointed in his Word. The second commandment forbids the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word. The reasons annexed to the second commandment are, God's sovereignty over us, his propriety in us, and the zeal he hath to his own worship."

From Calvin's Institutes: (9/6/00)

Lawful worship must avoid all superstitious rites, and remain a true spiritual worship as He established it. In forbidding idols, God forbids us to attempt bringing His incomprehensible nature down to our perceivable ideas. God warns of His jealousy as warning of the seriousness of this commandment. Mighty is our God, and He will not leave unpunished those who attempt to usurp His position with idolatrous worship. God is our husband, and He is a holy and chaste husband. As such, He cannot bear our infidelities when we worship another, or otherwise pollute His rightful worship. In expanding the curse for failing this commandment into subsequent generations, God points out that the one who forsakes His true worship will inevitably follow a ruinous path, and his children - being trained by him - will follow after, and so through generations. This is not the punishing of the innocent for another's sins, but the outcome of grace removed. The sins the following generations are punished for are their own, but flow from their parents in the absence of grace. To balance the curse, there is the promised blessing. This is the heritage a righteous man passes to his children, that God's grace will not be removed from them. These two - the blessing and the curse - are general rules, and do not abrogate God's election.

No Idle Vows (Ex 20:7) (9/1/00)

Some parallel verses: Lev 19:12 - Don't swear falsely by God's name, for it dishonors Him. Dt 6:13 - Out of awe for God, His name only shall be sworn by. Dt 10:20 - We will revere the Lord, and swear by His name.

This command we have seen brought further in the New Testament, both by Jesus (Mt 5:34-36) and by James (Jas 5:12). In both places, it is agreed that we ought not to swear at all, but that our word should be true enough, and our reputation for truth known well enough, that we need not swear. The requiring of an oath suggests a degree of distrust, in one or more of the parties involved. The point here, is that our reputation should be such that others see no need to require an oath from us, for they know we will be as good as our word [and our Word is good.] From the other side of things, we ought not to require an oath of others, either, for love believes all things (1Co 13:7).

There's another aspect, though, that I recall coming across in Table Talk, that deserves noting here. We tend to look at this commandment as referring to oath taking. The other view we tend to have of it, is as an injunction against using the name of the Lord in a profane manner. This, too, is something we ought not to do, for it denies the awe and reverence we ought to have for Him. And we probably do a pretty good job of avoiding such profanity. But even in church circles, the true reverence for His name is often missing. We can tend to use it lightly, even if we don't consider it 'profane'. Some follow the Jewish tradition of removing the vowel from God, when they write, so as not to accidentally use His name improperly. I understand the motivation behind this, but would respectfully suggest that - if there is such an improper use, the lack of a vowel really doesn't change the spirit of the act. It becomes a dangerous temptation not to consider how we are using His name, because we are "protecting" it.

God, I know I don't take Your name seriously enough. I am surely too free to use it. I am tempted, here, to list out those who do worse, but that's just equivocation. I need to be more conscious of how awesome You are, what Your holiness ought to demand from me. Father, help me to take more care of my tongue - to use it only to glorify You. Help me to consider, before I insert Your name in my conversation, whether the setting is worthy of You, and help me to refrain from such conversations as are not so.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The third commandment requires the holy and reverend use of God's names, titles, attributes, ordinances, Word, and works. The third commandment forbids all profaning or abusing of anything whereby God makes himself known. The reason annexed to the third commandment is, that however the breakers of this commandment may escape punishment from men, yet the Lord our God will not suffer them to escape his righteous judgment."

From Calvin's Institutes: (9/8/00)

This commandment precludes irreverently referring to the name and works of our Lord God, as well as requiring our zealous honoring of the same. There ought to be nothing in our thought and speech regarding God and His works which is without reverence and soberness, and which gives Him His due honor. Our thoughts and words regarding God ought to reflect the greatness of His excellence. We ought to treat His Holy Scripture and His established worship as holy things, bearing His imprint upon them. Whatever we recognize as His works ought to be spoken of in a way that praises His wisdom, righteousness and goodness. To do otherwise is to pollute God's good name. If such abuse is abominable to God, more so the use of His name in magic-like incantation, and worse still, when we claim His righteous seal upon our idle promise. This is to do with man and God, and not with man's interactions with man, which are sufficiently covered in the later commandments. An oath calls upon God - who is eternal and immutable truth - to witness to the truth of our words. God has declared such oaths a good thing, and a testimony to Him by whom the oath is taken. Because of this testimony, God is angered by His people taking oaths by any other name, for it is treasonous to Him. To ask God to witness to our lies is to deprive Him of His truth. "We cannot call God to be the witness of our words without asking Him to be the avenger of our perjury if we deceive." The holiness of His name is also reduced when it is used in frivolous vows, those which are kept, but unnecessary. The proper applications of an oath must serve either religion or love. Any other use is idle, and sinful. The admonition against vowing by other gods applies as well to vowing by God's servants. This is an affront to His holy privilege.

As Christ spoke only what the Father commanded, how then do we correlate his prohibition of all oaths (Mt 5:34-37), with God's command to use them when necessitated (Ex 22:10-11)? Jesus is once again bringing the true meaning of the commandment back to light. The people of Israel had kept themselves from false oaths, but had not kept themselves from frivolous oaths, and willingly swore by other things (the heavens, etc.) The "at all" of Mt 5:34 applies to the evasive forms of idle oath-taking that are listed, not to the legitimate oaths commanded by God. Whatever we may swear and whatever we may swear by, the matter is indirectly referred to God, once more. Thus, any vows or oaths we might make must be considered carefully. Christ, Himself, was willing to take oath as the situation required, as were His apostles after Him. Oaths required by public office, or judicial process are clearly acceptable uses of oath. By the same token, such private oaths as are necessary to establish trust between individuals are also permitted in this commandment. Where an oath serves to vindicate God's glory, or to edify a brother, they are permitted.

Shabbat Shalom (Ex 20:8-20:11) (9/2/00)

Ex 23:12 - We are to reset on the seventh day so that our workers may rest and refresh themselves. Ex 31:13-16 - The Sabbath is a permanent covenant, reminding us that it is God who sanctifies us. It is to be free of all work. Lev 26:2 - We are to keep this covenant, and revere His sanctuary. Dt 5:12 - We are to observe it for it is His command.

Again, we know that Christ upgraded this commandment in His time here. Why? Because it had been taken to ridiculous extremes, to the point of doing harm by neglect. He pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. What does this mean to us? Well, it means that the Sabbath is not an excuse not to assist a brother in need, but that its general purpose is to our good. Look at the parallels above: It is a day for us (and those with us) to refresh ourselves in rest, this is for our needs. It is to remind us that God sanctifies. How are we reminded? By spending that resting time in contemplation of Him, in His Word, in His presence. It is His command, and as we see so often in the letters of John, to love Him is to obey His commands. It is supposed to be an act of our love for God that we keep the day holy. Of course, as Calvin has noted in the Institutes, every day we ought to be contemplating God, spending time in His Word and presence, and being about His work. In that respect, every day ought to be a Sabbath to us. On the other hand, this is not a call to being a sluggard when it comes to doing our own work. We cannot spend all of every day doing nothing but contemplating God, for our daily needs are part of His work, too. He calls us to give a good day's work to our employer, to be worthy of our wage. He calls us to be families and communities, which requires real effort from us. He calls us, also to serve His kingdom in more recognizable ways. In all these things, we can and should continue to keep Him in mind. It is possible to continue to praise and honor God as we go through the mundane tasks of the day. It is not easy, but it is possible. Type J. I want to be a Type J personality! Always contemplating Jesus - the image and the Word of God - no matter what I am doing. God, it's going to take some work from both of us for me to reach that point. I pray that You would find me willing, for I know You are willing.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The fourth commandment requires the keeping holy to God such set times as he hath appointed in his Word; expressly one whole day in seven, to be a holy sabbath to himself. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ, God appointed the seventh day of the week to be the weekly sabbath; and the first day of the week ever since, to continue to the end of the world, which is the Christian sabbath. The sabbath is to be sanctified by a holy resting all that day, even from such worldly employments and recreations as are lawful on other days; and spending the whole time in the public and private exercises of God's worship, except so much as is to be taken up in the works of necessity and mercy. The fourth commandment forbids the omission or careless performance of the duties required, and the profaning the day by idleness, or doing that which is in itself sinful, or by unnecessary thoughts, words, or works, about our worldly employments or recreations. The reasons annexed to the fourth commandment are, God's allowing us six days of the week for our own employments, his challenging a special propriety in the seventh, his own example, and his blessing the sabbath day."

From Calvin's Institutes: (9/9/00)

The commandment points out that we ought to be dead to our own desires, and meditating on God's kingdom instead. The establishment of the sabbath served to give the people rest from their work so that God could work in them, to give them a specific day given over to sacred assembly to hear and meditate on God's works, and to allow their workers a rest as well. The Sabbath is a sign of God being our sanctification, and correlates to our task of fully subjecting our will to His. To this end, we must cease all our striving and learn to rest in Him. The Jews kept the seventh day in imitation of God's example. As the seventh day is the perfection of the week (being the day God rested from His works), so the Sabbath itself will not be perfected (we will not rest in Him perfectly) until the Last Day. The Sabbath consists not solely of a break from physical labors, but must also consist in meditating on the Lord. Christ, as the embodiment of truth, fulfilled the ceremonial part of the commandment, and so abolished it, as His arrival in truth set aside all foreshadowing ceremonies. He is our Sabbath. There remains for us a need for a regulated schedule by which to meet in assembly. Scripture requires it, and experience supports it. A day on which to assemble is a necessary part of doing things decently and in order. While it would be great spiritual good to meet for such purposes daily, the rule of love requires us to consider those weaker brothers among us and keep to the Sabbath example. The keeping of days which is condemned in Scripture is that meticulous keeping from work on particular days in hopes of being thereby holy. In the Church, the Sabbath serves rather an ecclesiastical purpose, providing a fixed day for people to gather on. We ought always to meditate on the everlasting Sabbath to come, and ought to apply our leisure time to meditation on God's Word. We ought to come together regularly in assembly, whether on the seventh day or another. We ought not to oppress our workers by insisting on seven days of work from them. In sum, "we should diligently frequent the sacred meetings, and make use of those external aids which can promote the worship of God."

Parents Rights (Ex 20:12) (9/3/00)

Parallel verses: Lev 19:3 - Revere your parents and keep the sabbath. Dt 27:16 - The one who dishonors his parents is cursed. Mt 15:4, Mk 7:10 - The commandment used to justify the opposite action by the Pharisees. Mt 19:19, Mk 10:19, Lk 18:20 - Jesus lists 6 of the ten commandments (including this one,) in talking to the rich young man. Eph 6:2 - Paul notes that this is the first commandment which includes a promise.

The number of times this particular commandment comes up suggests its importance in God's eyes. Why the concern? Well, parents are the source of moral background for children. They are the means of continuation. They are also the authority that God has provided within the family. It's a hard thought, but no matter how poorly our own parents may have done, they continue to deserve honor. We need also to recognize that God chooses the imagery of fatherhood in presenting Himself to us. He is God the Father. He is also the final authority. The commandment seems clearly to indicate that we ought to have a proper honor and respect for all who are placed in authority, for Scripture is clear that God puts those in authority in their positions. Who are we, then, to declare their worth? This is why we ought rather to pray for those authorities we don't quite agree with (and those we agree with thoroughly, too.) God has placed them, and He has His reasons for doing so. If His chosen authority seems to be operating improperly, we can but pray that said person will hear God more clearly, and that we, too, might more clearly see what God is doing in the situation. After all, it may just as easily be us that needs to change course.

In this age, we are seeing what occurs when this honoring of authority is lost. It began to be manifest in my generation (although I suspect it was evident before then, too.) In that generation came an almost total rejection of the previous generation's standards, an almost total disregard for the authority of the state, an almost total disrespect for any person of position. "Question Authority" was the rule of the day, and has remained a rule ever since. Now we have a generation raised by parents who don't respect authority, and have none themselves, at least as far as they and their children are concerned. Now we have children who will curse loudly and proudly on the lawns of their homes without so much as a cross look from the parents. We have schools gone out of control, we have entire government systems set up to help the parents shirk the responsibilities of being in the position of authority. The results have not been pretty. Look, too, to the political arena, where the fallout has been an almost total disinterest in who gets into office. And character seems no longer to matter, as long as the money's good.

God help us. Help us to re-establish proper respect for our parents and elders first in ourselves. Help us, Lord, to teach that respect to our children, to model that respect to our children, to demand and require that respect of ourselves and our children. Lord, this commandment is such an integral part of Your moral compass for our lives - it is a necessity if we are to live long and prosper in the land You have given us. It is a requisite for life in Your kingdom, for - to borrow a phrase - if we can't respect the authorities we can see here, how then will we respect Your authority when we can't see You? Father, we are a nation of rebels, we were founded in rebellion, and we've reveled in it and celebrated it ever since. Help us, Lord, personally, and nationally, to set aside our rebellious nature and accept Your authority once more.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The fifth commandment requires the preserving the honor, and performing the duties, belonging to everyone in their several places and relations, as superiors, inferiors, or equals. The fifth commandment forbids the neglecting of, or doing anything against, the honor and duty which belongs to everyone in their several places and relations. The reason annexed to the fifth commandment is, a promise of long life and prosperity (as far as it shall serve for God's glory and their own good) to all such as keep this commandment."

From Calvin's Institutes: (9/10/00)

The commandment indicates that we ought to give due reverence, respect and obedience to all to whom we are legally subject. This is true from parents through presidents for the same reason: they are appointed by God, and share His titles by degree. Reverence, obedience, and gratefulness are due to all authorities, regardless of their performance, for their position is decreed by God. The promised blessing is for long life in the land - for the land (being created by God) is a blessing to live in - as a symbol of God's kindness to us. When a godly life is cut short, God's kindness has not failed, but rather moved on to the even greater blessings awaiting us through death. God's threat ensures that those whose disobedience is not punished by natural authorities will be properly judged by Himself, and we often see the results of this judgement in such lives. It is to be noted that the obedience called for in this commandment is to be "in the Lord." An authority that demands our breaking with God's law is no longer to be an authority to us.

No Murder (Ex 20:13) (9/4/00)

Parallel verses: Ge 9:6 - Murderers are to receive the death penalty for killing what was made in God's image. Ex 21:12 - This includes one who strikes another and causes his death. Lev 24:17 - One who kills another will be put to death. Mt 5:21-22 - Christ's expansion: To so much as call another a fool is already to be guilty. Mt 19:18, Mk 10:19, Lk 18:20 - The list for the rich young man. Ro 13:9 - It's all part of loving your neighbor as yourself. Jas 2:11 - The breaking of any one commandment leaves one guilty of all.

The significance of this is pretty completely spelled out in Scripture, isn't it? It's essentially the flip side of 'love your neighbor'. The intent is that we should never show our ire to another, nor should we ridicule them. In this aspect, the commandment also begins dealing with pride, for it is our pride that wants to show how poorly another compares with us. As with any other pride aspect, it's an attempt by us to take God's seat, become the measuring rod to which others must be compared. I think it's this issue that caused Augustine to list pride as the primary root of sin. Pride is the antithesis of walking humbly before God. Pride allows us to look down on those around us, to consider them foolish and inferior. And it is this attitude of inferiority that allows them to become objects for our ire and anger, which in turn allows them to become expendable in our minds. How poorly we compare with our God! He to whom we truly are vastly inferior does not look upon us as expendable fools, but rather as a prize He has sought to obtain throughout the ages! We, who are so utterly worthless, are the object of all God's work in creation! That one we just can't deal with at work? He's the object of all God's work in creation - it's all directed at saving that one. That one who cut us off on the highway yesterday? Him, too. Another object of God's work in creation. Can we - can I - learn to look on all those that I allow to aggravate me as objects of God's work? As targets of God's mercy? As candidates for brotherhood? Lord, help me. I can be so arrogant and proud. It seems, at times, as though I've been trained to be so. This is the work of the enemy, and it simply needs to go. Father, excise this pride in me. Teach me to walk humbly before You. Remind me always that those who most trouble my days are still your loved ones. Help me to love your loved ones. All of them, Lord. For what is so dear to Your heart must needs be dear to mine, as well.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The sixth commandment requires all lawful endeavors to preserve our own life, and the life of others. The sixth commandment forbids the taking away of our own life, or the life of our neighbor, unjustly, or whatsoever tends thereunto."

From Calvin's Institutes: (9/10/00)

By this commandment we are enjoined not to do any thing that might harm another, and to do all we can to prevent harm to another. The commandment is not merely for the physical, but for the mental and spiritual as well, for it is anger grown to hatred that leads to violence, and one cannot be angry without the desire to harm being present. Therefor, anger itself is to be done away with. Our neighbor's well being is commended to us both by the imprint of God's image upon him, and by his resemblance to our own flesh. Both ought to require of us a proper attitude of helpfulness toward them, and moreso toward their souls.

No Unfaithfulness (Ex 20:14) (9/5/00)

Parallel Verses: Lev 20:10 - Both parties to adultery are to be put to death. Dt 5:18 - Repeat of the ten commandments. Mt 5:27-28 - Jesus clarifies the scope of the command; even our thoughts are at issue. Mt 19:18 - The rich young man's list. Ro 13:9 - Another aspect of loving your neighbor.

The greater aspect of this commandment can be seen in the constant use of its imagery in the text of Scripture. Throughout the Bible, we see the image of God and His people wed together, and God's constant anguish over His bride gone astray after other partners. In many ways, our marriages are a training ground for our life with God. Here, we can learn to be faithful to another, to be intimate with another, to live with our true selves exposed to another. We begin to appreciate the full possibility of relationship, and we may - unfortunately - experience the full possibility of betrayal. The story of David and Bathsheba is an oft used example of adultery. Indeed, the betrayal aspect of the problem shows over and over again in that story. First and foremost, there is - of course - Uriah, her husband. Here was a warrior faithful to David and to Israel. He was willing to deny himself because his sense of duty and propriety demanded he not take pleasure when others were in battle. David placed him in what appeared to be a position of trust, carrying an important message to the front lines. In fact, David had caused him to carry his own death sentence to battle with him. But then, there's Ahithophel, Bathsheba's grandfather. Ahithophel had been David's counselor, a trusted advisor. But the treachery involving his granddaughter was apparently too much for him, and he in turn betrayed David, becoming an advisor to Absalom as he tried to wrest the kingdom from his father. And such things remain the fruit of adultery. Trust is shattered, relationships often torn beyond repair. This is God's concern for His people, for the injuries accrue to the participants, too, and not just the 'victims.' Those who have broken trust will find it harder to trust others, for we all tend to judge by the standard of our own lives and experiences. God desires us to be committed and true to Him and to Him alone. He is a jealous God, and there is not room for another in this relationship. He longs for us to share in an intimate, completely open, completely trusting relationship with Him. He knows how hard it is for us to mend the breech once made. He is able to forgive completely. He is willing to forgive completely. We, on the other hand, have great difficulty forgiving ourselves. He has been faithful to us, yet we are so challenged to remain faithful to Him. Even in our service to Him, we become unfaithful. How often does our worship turn on how we feel, rather than being about what He wants? How much of our service to God is truly about what He has asked for? How much of it is more a matter of what seems good to us? God help us to relearn Your ways, to relearn what You desire of us. For You have said that You long for obedience, rather than sacrifice; that You long for true worship, rather than lip service. Help us to seek out what You want, rather than asking Your approval of what we want. Help us, Lord, to be true to You in the face of all the world throws at us. Help us to keep our eyes on You, and not allow them to lead our thoughts astray. God, so much is placed where we cannot but look at it. Temptation is put before us everywhere we turn. Keep us strong in the face of this onslaught. Remain in us, Holy Spirit, that we can stand firm, and declare that God is true. Enable us, oh Father, to defy the lie.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:
"The seventh commandment requires the preservation of our own and our neighbor's chastity, in heart, speech, and behavior. The seventh commandment forbids all unchaste thoughts, words, and actions."

From Calvin's Institutes (9/10/00)

We are to decry all immodesty and lustfulness, as all such tend towards fornication, which brands the body by its mark. Marriage is ordained of God so that our weakness of flesh can be satisfied without sin. Any extra-marital union is without His blessing and is sinful. Celibacy is not a requirement of God, and those who attempt to maintain it outside of His grace are actively working against His will. Where celibacy is given, it is a gift to the receiver, not a work of his own flesh. Even there, celibacy may be for a time only, in which case the solution of marriage ought to be pursued if lust begins to hold sway. Even in the union of marriage, modesty and honor should continue to rule. As God is ruling against lewdness here, He is also ruling against immodest display on our parts. Our attire and demeanor ought to be modest, and not such as would incite another to lust.

No Theft (Ex 20:15) (9/6/00)

Parallel verses: Ex 21:16 - Kidnapping is punishable by death. Lev 19:11-13 - Lying is included in the thought, as is withholding a man's wages. Mt 19:18 - Again with the rich young man. Ro 13:9 - And once more part of loving one's neighbor.

Looking into the parallels, one begins to see the full scope of this commandment. Anything that in any way takes from another - be it outright theft, delay in paying what is due, or lying and thus depriving him of truth. Anything that makes less of another would come under this, as well - such things as belittling or derisive talk about them. Paul tells us in Ephesians that all our words should be such as are edifying, and serve to build each other up. This is again the larger view of what is commanded here. All that we do ought to help our neighbor to grow in grace, to come to saving faith and knowledge of Christ Jesus, to walk in holiness. We ought, perhaps, to pray that all their actions and words would likewise aid us. So much of this, as Jesus pointed out, and Paul as well, is simply details of expressing God's perfect love into the world at large. We are His ambassadors, we are His proclamation to the world that there is hope. We simply must come to the place in our walk of faith that we can express that love. Father, it's entirely too often that I embarrass myself in this walk, that I show forth what is expressly not love, not Your Spirit or Your truth. I beg Your forgiveness, as I know I have before. I pray that You would do whatever, whatever is necessary to bring about that change in me. It's got to stop. It's got to end, this "need" to ridicule, to put forth a cynical self. God route out that cynicism. It's long since lost any usefulness it may have had in my mind. Bring me to the point of loving as You love. Bring me to the point that I steal nothing of my neighbor's life and dignity. Let my tongue become such that it only edifies, and doesn't tear down.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The eighth commandment requires the lawful procuring and furthering the wealth and outward estate of ourselves and others. The eighth commandment forbids whatsoever does, or may, unjustly hinder our own, or our neighbor's, wealth or outward estate."

From Calvin's Institutes: (9/11/00)

We are not to long after another's possessions, and as such, ought to do all we can to help them to keep what is theirs. All that each man has is according to God's distribution, and ought to be honored as such. Theft is not to be tolerated in any form; be it outright robbery, fraud, 'legal' theft, or flattery. By the same token, this obliges us to carry out all we are responsible to do for others, for to not do so is a form of theft. Far from acquiring all we can by hook or by crook, we ought to be willing to put our means at disposal toward assisting those in need. Thus, this command feeds back into the commandment to respect authority, and places requirements upon those in authority to wield it well. Not only shall we not take from our neighbor, but we shall give him what is owed.

No Lies (Ex 20:16) (9/6/00)

Parallel verses: Ex 23:1, Ex 23:7 - We are not to offer or support a false report. Dt 5:20 - No false witness. Lev 19:18 - Nor bearing of grudges.

There's the expansion. Resentment is a powerful poison, one which can easily rot our souls to the point that we are willing to lie to bring hurt to the resented one. This is why the theme of forgiveness runs strong through Scripture. This is why Satan is such an awful adversary. His resentment of God is so strong that he'll do or say anything, true false or otherwise, to discredit God in the minds of those he can reach. Forgiveness is the great medicine that can keep us from coming to that same point. We're not talking about a simple mouthing of "I forgive you," here. We're talking a heartfelt forgiveness. We tend to get caught up in words, as though they had the power. This is especially true for parents, as we try to train our children in proper behavior. It seems, at times, as though we've gotten so used to the simplified explanation that we must give to our youngsters, that we forget the truth behind the simplifications. In a way, this is exactly what had happened to the Law over time. It had been simplified and codified so that it could be handed to those less familiar with it, and be readily grasped. But over time, the truth got lost in the simplifications. This is an ever present danger to the Church, that in our attempts to make our faith and our God understood, we will begin to take our simplified lessons more seriously than the God they teach. Forgiveness and the repentance that allows forgiveness - both have to be more than mere words and phrases. "I'm sorry" doesn't count for much when the heart's not behind it. "I forgive you" doesn't do a thing if the resentment still burns within. "In Jesus' name" doesn't hold any power if the soul proclaiming that name isn't sold out to Him. Didn't work for Sceva's sons. Doesn't work for those co-workers around us whose tongues are fast and free with profanities. Love bears all things and forgives all things. Having forgiven all, there's no place left for resentment, and no fuel left for false witness.

The other thing that can lead to false witness is fear. This might lead some to support another's false claims due to fear of reprisals if they don't. It might be something as simple as supporting a falsified schedule presented by a superior at work. But God's standard is high, and ours ought to be as well - especially as it pertains to ourselves. Perfect love casts out all fear, and God's love for us is perfect. Our love for Him ought to be greater than our fear of man. If God is for us… Yet, we are a fearful people, no? We fear what might happen if we buck our boss, we fear the loss of our job, we fear illness, we fear thieves. We are in so many ways a bundle of fears. God help us to grasp hold of Your love, to internalize Your love, and realize - truly realize - Your power in our lives. Help us to be as Paul was, fearless in knowing Your love and Your great worth. Help us to be as forgiving as Stephen, so that no resentment may come upon us. Help our witness to be true in both small things and great. Help our witness to Your greatness to be both true and openly displayed, to Your glory.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The ninth commandment requires the maintaining and promoting of truth between man and man, and of our own and our neighbor's good name, especially in witness bearing. The ninth commandment forbids whatsoever is prejudicial to truth, or injurious to our own, or our neighbor's, good name."

From Calvin's Institutes (9/10/00)

As God is truth, our words ought to be true. This is not only an injunction against false testimony, but also against gossip and other malicious treatment of people. In destroying a man's integrity, we take more from him than any theft of goods. Even where accusations may be true, we ought do our utmost to protect another's reputation. This is not to say we ought to keep silent where others might be warned, or where the subject might be brought to repentance, but that we need to be wary of talk which though true is spoken with malicious intent. As God sees the heart, so this commandment extends to the heart, ruling out our excessive willingness to hear the bad report about another, the caustic wit, and the unduly suspicious mind.

Satisfaction (Ex 20:17) (9/6/00)

Parallel verses: Dt 5:21 - Desire nothing of your neighbor's possessions. Ro 7:7- The law against coveting brought awareness of coveting. Ro 13:9 - Once more, subsumed by the command to love one's neighbor. Eph 5:3 - Greed by any other name… Eph 5:5 - Coveting is idolatry. Pr 6:29 - Coveting leads into adultery.

Interesting that this is the last commandment, for as the above verses show, it is near the root of many another issue. It is coveting that leads to theft, for if we didn't desire our neighbor's goods, we'd not steal them. It is coveting that leads to unfaithfulness, for if we didn't desire our neighbor's wife, we'd not tempt them away. It is coveting that leads to idolatry, for it sets up our neighbor's possessions as a thing more desirable than God. It is coveting that leads to breaking the Sabbath, for it is our desire to have more and better than our neighbors that leads us to work the harder. It is coveting that leads us to place other 'gods' before our God, as we covet His power and position and right to decide. And below all of that, once more, lies pride. God help us. Help us to be satisfied with all that You have provided us. Help us to be satisfied with the joy You set before us. Father, our eyes are hopelessly lustful - ever desiring that next thing, when that next thing can no more satisfy us than the last one did. Let our desire burn only for You. Let our eyes find rest from their roaming in You. Let us find all our needs met and more in You.

From the Westminster Shorter Catechism:

"The tenth commandment requires full contentment with our own condition, with a right and charitable frame of spirit toward our neighbor, and all that is his. The tenth commandment forbids all discontentment with our own estate, envying or grieving at the good of our neighbor, and all inordinate motions and affections to anything that is his."

From Calvin's Institutes (9/10/00)

Since God's law in us is love, we must banish all that is not love from us. To this end, desiring our neighbor's goods, or failing to do what good we can towards them are to be put far from us. As the Lord has commanded that love rule our will and actions, so now He commands that same love rule our thoughts, so that our thoughts will not work against our will. Where the heart is covetous, it is empty of love. Where the mind has fantasies, the heart will follow, thus the commandment strikes at our thought life, to purify the root.

Concluding Thoughts (9/11/00)

I can't think of a great deal to add to this. Truly, the Law is a matter of the spirit, for it strikes at our heart attitudes by bringing attention to our actions. Truly, the Law is summed up in the twin commandments of loving God and loving our neighbor. How hard it is! How impossible it remains to fulfill even in part! How often, oh Lord, You remind me of how far off the mark my own thought life has gone. The cousin who seems beyond hope of redemption, the co-worker who is too foul to ever expect to find in your fold. Both targets of Your love. Both targets of Your purpose. Neither any worse than I was myself. Love hopes all things. Father, I hope and I pray that Your mercy would extend itself even to these 'hopeless' cases, that You would arrange the meeting and the testimony that would speak to these ones right at the place they are, that You would break them free of their blindness, whether through me or others. I pray that You would help me to remember, to contemplate, to meditate on and implement the commandments Your love requires of me. I pray that I would somehow be found willing to Your will. I pray that You would accomplish in me the change that must come, in spirit, soul, and body, to fulfill all that You desire to do in me and through me. Make me like You, Lord, reform this clay into Your image.