REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. ~ Exodus 20:16
Besides the obvious telling of straight lies, dishonesty comes in many forms from gossip, rumors, flattery, exaggeration, and of course slander.
As Jesus taught us, honesty is at its root an issue of the heart. And whatever we have in our heart is going to come out eventually.
Deceit is rampant in our modern culture today. Whether it is in academia, personal relationships, political leaders or the public media dishonesty is a huge problem in our world. And not just among unbelievers. Sadly, you will even find dishonesty in the Christian community.
As a reformed and healed liar, this commandment is close to my heart. I lived most of my life as a liar which ended up nearly destroying my life, marriage and family.
We will never be at peace with ourselves, God or others unless and until we are fully an unequivocally committed to God’s Word and we must keep it as a mirror before our hearts in examination each day. Only then can we have the power to be a truly honest person. By the power of the Holy Spirit in us, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!
The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth.~ Proverbs 12:22
Our memory aid for the Ninth Commandment shows us the image of a number 9 lying on its side, reminding us not to not lie about anything!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
You shall not steal.~ Exodus 20:15
The eighth commandment is about more than just taking possessions from another person. There are multiple ways and things that people steal. In the long run, we are ultimately stealing from the God of the Universe!
An employer stealing from their employee by paying poor wages
An employee stealing from their boss by goofing off instead of working
An citizen stealing from the government by not paying taxes due
A business stealing from customers by falsely advertising their product
A person with the mindset of taking from others had that habit formed in them from their early childhood by parents who were either totally oblivious or were too lazy to train their child in godly ways.
God requires obedience to His law because it is what is best for the individual as well as a community. Partial obedience is still disobedience.
Let’s strive to be trustworthy. To live a life honoring God and all He has for us!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the Eighth Commandment shows us the image of a burglar wearing a mask in the shape of an 8, reminding us not to steal anything!
Take a few minutes and glean wisdom from Dennis Prager’s teaching on The Eighth Commandment. Be blessed!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
Do not commit adultery. ~ Exodus 20:14
ADULTERY: the unfaithfulness of any married person to the marriage bed; a betrayal and rejection of God’s instructions.
In today’s society adultery is rarely talked about and it is all but ignored from most pulpits. Our modern culture has become so desensitized to the promiscuity played out before our eyes in the media that it is accepted as normal, sadly even among Christians. But what most people forget is that God sees everything we do!
CREATED BY DESIGN
Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is right for him.” From the ground God formed every wild animal and every bird in the sky. He brought them to the man so the man could name them. Whatever the man called each living thing, that became its name. The man gave names to all the tame animals, to the birds in the sky and to all the wild animals. But Adam did not find a helper that was right for him. So the Lord God caused the man to sleep very deeply. While the man was asleep, God took one of the ribs from the man’s body. Then God closed the man’s skin at the place where he took the rib. The Lord God used the rib from the man to make a woman. Then the Lord brought the woman to the man. And the man said,
“Now, this is someone whose bones came from my bones. Her body came from my body. I will call her ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of man.”
So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife. And the two people will become one body. ~ Genesis 2:18-24
A COVENANT RELATIONSHIP
In Genesis when God created marriage, He created a covenant relationship between a man and a woman that was to be sacred, exclusive, binding and life-lasting between them alone. The sanctity of marriage provides joy, safety and comfort for those who protect it. Our goal in marriage should be more than just a loving friendship but oneness in the Lord.
As with all the other Commandments, this rule is designed to protect us from the potential harm we can bring on ourselves, our community and ultimately our civilization.
“Marriage is not an accidental but a purposeful, essential element of creation. It is not a convention to be adopted as a humanly devised experiment, nor is it a consequence to be absorbed. It is a divine institution providing the cornerstone of civil society. It is, if you like, quite simply, God’s idea.” ~ Alistair Begg (Pathway to Freedom)
GUARD WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN YOU
My child, pay attention to my words. Listen closely to what I say. Don’t ever forget my words. Keep them deep within your heart. These words are the secret to life for those who find them. They bring health to the whole body. Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life. Don’t use your mouth to tell lies. Don’t ever say things that are not true. Keep your eyes focused on what is right. ~ Proverbs 4:20-25
PROTECT YOUR MARRIAGE
Those of us who are married, or planning to be married, should look at this commitment very seriously. Not only taking the time to get to know each other but committing high and strong boundaries to protect the precious gift we have been given in our husband.
We need to be on guard at all times, watching for the enemy who will try and trick us. One of the biggest challenges in marriage is the power of the human sex drive. And I believe the best way to manage that is to guard our senses and our thoughts. If we keep watch on who we are friends with, what we look at, listen to, and especially where we go and what we do. We will have greater success with marital fidelity if we do.
“We need to appoint moral sentries to guard our hearts, because losing the battle there is often the first step on the road to disaster. ” ~ Alistair Begg (Pathway to Freedom)
HAVE HIGH BOUNDARIES
When I say I have high boundaries on my life, I don’t mean white picket fence type boundaries. No. I have tall cement barrier boundaries, the ones like you see on the side of freeways. I learned a long time ago, I must with all diligence protect who I am influenced by, what goes in my mind and heart. Because what I let in there may try to build a nest that can destroy my marriage and possibly my life.
I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. ~ Psalm 119:11
KEEP GOD’S WORD UP FRONT
Last but certainly not least is keeping God’s Word in first place. Read God’s Word often and put it to memory to protect your mind and your marriage. It literally is your life-line! The more of God’s Word we keep in, the better chance we have of keeping out the evil messages floating around the world today.
I pray you will take this message to heart. All of these things will protect you from the potential for temptation that the enemy will definitely put in your path.
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the Seventh Commandment shows us the image of a heart broken in the shape of a 7. This image reminds us when we don’t honor the bounds of marriage and commit adultery hearts are broken.
Take a few minutes and glean wisdom from Dennis Prager’s teaching on The Seventh Commandment. Be blessed!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible*
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
“Do not murder.” ~ Exodus 20:13
MURDER : to kill a human being with premeditated malice
Commandments six through ten secure critical structures of our civilization. They protect the essential foundations of life, property, family; justice and truth; not only for the individual but for the community as a whole.
Many people mistakenly believe the Sixth Commandment says “Do Not Kill.” This Commandment isn’t about accidental killing or for the purpose of self-defense. Neither is it about the defense of the nation in wartime or capital punishment. Both of which are sanctioned to government authority by God.
The sixth Commandment is specifically focused on the sacredness of human life in God’s eyes. Since man is made in God’s image, humans are the only one of His creations which would be considered to have the sanctity of life.
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!” ~ Matthew 5:22
Unless we seek to understand why God made the Commandments in the first place, we miss their deeper meaning. Jesus expanded on the Commandments by bringing them down to what’s at the root of a person’s attitude. Rather than focusing on the outward actions, Jesus is teaching us to guard our heart.
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. ~ James 1:19-21
In the verses above, James, the half brother of Christ, teaches us that anger doesn’t develop the righteous life God wants for us. We must intentionally purge our heart of all evil and plant God’s Word in our hearts. That is the only power that will save our souls!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the Sixth Commandment shows us the image of a bomb in the shape of a 6, reminding us to not murder people.
Take a few minutes and glean wisdom from Dennis Prager’s teaching on The Sixth Commandment. Be blessed!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible*
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
Regard (treat with honor, due obedience, and courtesy) your father and mother, that your days may be long in the land the Lord your God gives you. ~ Exodus 20:12 (AMPC)
HONOR: to revere; to respect; to treat with deference and submission and perform relative duties to. ~ Noah Webster 1828 Dictionary
GOD’S FAMILY PLAN
From the beginning God had a plan for His People. He designed a family to have two parents: a man and a woman. Together, with God’s blessing to be fruitful and multiply, they would create the human race. The responsibility of the children fell to the parents. The responsibility of the children was to obediently submit to the authority of their parents.
It’s no secret in today’s world, the destruction of many nations began with the breakdown of the family. With Biblical values declining in our schools and homes and out of control divorce rates, the majority of children no longer have both parental figures in their lives. The concept of honoring anyone, much less your parents is almost unheard of. And we wonder why our world is in the state it is.
“As the family goes, so goes the nation, and so goes the whole world in which we live.”~ Pope St. John Paul II
THE PROMISED REWARD
The fifth commandment teaches us that God designed our parents to be honored and obeyed in the same way that we would honor and obey God, our heavenly Father. But this commandment is about more than just how we treat our parents. It flows to all areas of community life. When a child knows how to honor their parents, they will be able to respect others in authority as well: teachers, police and other officials.
While this commandment has often been taught as the only one with a promise. I would agree with Dennis Prager in the video below and Alistair Begg who wrote that the fifth commandment is given as a promise not just to individuals but to a society in general.
“So the principle in the promise is this: children who are taught to obey God by honoring their parents will grow up to be responsible citizens, and responsible citizens make for a strong nation, which in turns helps to provide a context in which life can flourish.” ~ Alistair Begg
NEVER TOO LATE TO OBEY GOD
There are many who would say our world is a lost cause, that it’s too late to teach these principles to make serious changes. However, scripture teaches us God will keep all His promises. I believe with the Holy Spirit’s power backing up our obedience, God will honor that obedience and keep His promises to achieve what He desired them to accomplish.
My word, which comes from my mouth, is like the rain and snow. It will not come back to me without results. It will accomplish whatever I want and achieve whatever I send it to do.” ~ Isaiah 55:11
The prophet Isaiah made it clear that when God spoke a Word it would not return to God until it had accomplished the purpose He sent it to achieve. This assures us that even the fifth commandment’s promised reward has the same backing. God’s Word always finishes what He calls it to finish to the glory of His Name.
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the Fifth Commandment shows us the image of two loving parents in the shape of a 5. This is a good reminder for us to honor, obey, respect and be courteous to the people who gave us life.
Take a few minutes and glean wisdom from Dennis Prager’s teaching on The Fifth Commandment. Be blessed!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible*
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR THEMES FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH OF THE FOUR POWER-PACKED THEMES ARE A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I REVIEW INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
TODAY WE’RE LOOKING AT AN AMAZING SERIES OF BOOKS.
Dennis Prager has spent most of his adult life teaching the Torah. I can think of no one more qualified to write a line by line commentary on the Torah. One of the things I most enjoy about Dennis Prager is his straightforward way of teaching.
The format Dennis uses is excellent. He not only goes line by line in the Scripture explaining the verses. But also he offers insightful essays that delve deeper into various topics throughout the books. Here are a few samples of some intriguing essay titles:
From Genesis:
The Belief People Are Basically Good Is Foolish and Dangerous
Faith Demands Sacrifice
Can We Expect God To Protect Us
From Exodus:
The Moral Significance of Fearing God
Do All Believers In One God Believe in the Same God?
We Are Not Commanded To Love Our Parents
I’ve been using The Rational Bible:Genesis and Exodus for the last several months as references for some of my columns and I’ve learned so much. I’m looking forward to getting the recently released The Rational Passover Haggadah and The Rational Bible: Deuteronomy which is coming in October 2022. I encourage you buy and read these valuable commentaries. Everything Dennis Prager is excellent. He never disappoints.
Take some time to watch this great episode of The Book Club with Michael Knowles discussing Dennis Prager’s The Rational Bible: Exodus. Enjoy!
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea.You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. ~ Exodus 20:4-5 (NLT)
For some it’s hard to imagine worshipping an idol like people did in Bible days. In reality, today we have lots of idols. Whether it is fame, money, pleasure, work or people… these can all become gods in our lives if we allow them to determine our meaning in life.
Find GOD’S purpose in this law
Among other reasons God’s laws are designed to protect us. What is God protecting us from? I believe He is trying to protect us from ourselves. Like little children, we think God is trying to keep us from having fun. When actually it’s the opposite.
Scripture tells us that sin is fun for a season. God knows how easily we’re deceived by the sparkling pleasures of this world. Faith in God, His laws and His love for us will help us see beyond the temporary thrills of this world to the true satisfaction of God’s eternal Kingdom.
find GOD’S grace in this law
Another purpose of the law is to show us our need to be made right before God. The law tried to teach the children of Israel rules for living that would help them live in right standing with God. But there is no one who can keep all the laws. That is why Jesus came… to complete the law and allow us to be made right in God’s eyes by grace.
The law is required to define our sins. When we know what our sins are, we will more easily recognize our need for faith in Jesus. That faith in Jesus will bring the gifts of salvation and grace. Therefore, faith and grace are also wrapped up in the law.
The Apostle Paul in Romans asks if we can now do away with the law because of our faith in Christ. He answers an emphatic, no. In fact, because of Jesus and His grace, the purpose of the law has been completed.
find GOD’S freedom in this law
There was a time in my life that I walked away from the Lord. I lost faith in God and God’s people. When I removed God from His place of honor I allowed myself to get caught up in wrong activities, people and behaviors. Overtime they gained a place of importance they didn’t deserve.
By taking God out of first place in my life, I removed myself from under His umbrella of protection. I set myself up for Satan to get a foothold in my life. When that happened I no longer walked in the freedom I had with God. I was now in bondage to the devil.
Like Eve in the Garden, this trap began with thoughts that doubted God’s love for me. Followed by my eyes looking at something I shouldn’t have been looking at. I might not have bowed down to an idol on my knees. But I certainly devoted too much time and money in pursuit of them. So much that they became the central focus of my thoughts and ultimately controlled my life.
If we can keep God holding first place in our lives we protect ourselves from Satan’s traps and other things from turning into idols. When we keep the first commandment it’s easier to keep the second. The more we keep God’s commandments, the free-er we will be. The law and grace bring us freedom!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Our memory aid for the second commandment shows us the image of a person bowing down before burning incense. This reminds us that we should not bow down before anyone or anything but God!
Take a few minutes to watch this short video from PragerU with Dennis Prager teaching on the 2nd Commandment.
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TOPICS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. EACH TOPIC IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying the Ten Commandments; why we need to know, memorize and obey them.
Then God spoke all these words saying: “I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt and out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.” ~ Exodus 20:1-3
THE PREAMBLE
“I am the Lord your God, Who has brought you out of the land of Egypt and out of the house of bondage.” ~ Exodus 20:2
The verse above is what Jewish teaching calls the first of ten statements. Whereas, Christian teaching considers it a preamble or introduction to the Ten Commandments. For the sake of our study, and to coincide with PragerU’s related video teaching which is attached at the bottom of this post, I’ve put the preamble and the first commandment together. In the preamble, God is introducing Himself to the children of Israel in terms which were very relevant to them. It’s also important to recognize that God introduced Himself to the people as their savior. He isn’t just some arbitrary god. He heard their cries for help. He cared for them personally and wanted them freed from the bondage of slavery.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS TWO SEGMENTS
Commandments 1 – 4 relate to the relationship between us and God in heaven. They primarily deal with doctrine and teach us our responsibility to God; how to love and honor God.
Commandments 6 – 10 relate to relationships we have with people on earth. These deal with ethics; teaching us our responsibility to other people; how to respect and love them.
If you were going to draw the two segments as an image: a vertical line would represent commandments 1 – 4. And a horizontal line would represent commandments 6 – 10.
Together they form a cross. This brings to mind Jesus’ words:
“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.”(Matt 5:17)
In other words, when Jesus came He completed the true purpose and meaning of what the Law was all about. Later Jesus goes on to say:
“ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’ This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.” (Matt 22:37-40)
THE SUM OF ALL TEN COMMANDMENTS
By following the first four commandments we are loving the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind: The vertical line on the cross.
By following the sixth through the tenth commandments we are loving our neighbor as we love ourself: The horizontal line of the cross.
THE COVENANT
God is following the ancient form of making covenants or treaties; which the people at that time would have been familiar with. He is revealing His deity, power and care for the people by making a personal covenant with them. Every covenant prior to this was made between God and individuals: Adam, Noah and Abraham. In this covenant God is inviting the children of Israel into a formal relationship with Him. But this relationship has specific stipulations.
THE LAW
“You shall have no other gods before or besides Me.” ~ Exodus 20:3
When we liken our relationship with God to that of a married couple, it’s easier to grasp the concept of God being jealous. A husband or wife, in a healthy marriage, doesn’t want to share their spouse with another person. In the same way, God doesn’t want us to divide our affections which should only be directed to Him, not other gods.
In this first commandment, God is putting first things first; telling us that we must keep Him first above all. God may have enemies in this world. But He refuses to have rivals to Him in our lives. Because the Israelites had been living among the idol worshiping Egyptians for hundreds of years, they had grown indifferent in their relationship with the one true God. So it stands to reason that’s why God started His covenant with the children of Israel with this preamble and commandment.
THE LAW, GRACE AND FREEDOM
But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. ~ James 1:25
It seems conflicting to say that the law sets us free. But by looking at ourselves through the reflecting mirror of the law and God’s Word we can recognize our sins that keep us from having a right relationship with God. While God’s Word brings us salvation and new life, it also requires that we be obedient to what it says. Because of the grace available to us through Jesus Christ we are now free from the control that sin once had on our lives.
We can obey God’s laws through the gift of grace and enjoy true freedom!
UPDATE YOUR MEMORY
Sadly, too many of us today have no idea what the Ten Commandments are, much less follow them seriously, or teach them to the children. As this study progresses, I encourage you to begin putting the Ten Commandments to memory. I have supplied you with a wonderful tool to help you. Please check out The Evidence Bible Memory Aid attached under the resource list below. It’s a very easy and effective way to memorize the Ten Commandments.
The memory aid for the first commandment below shows us the image of a first place ribbon, reminding us that God should be number one in our life!
Video Disclaimer: As mentioned in The Preamble section above, the Jewish teaching is a little different than what most Christians have been taught regarding the first and second commandments. This is reflected in the first and second PragerU videos I include in each commandment teaching.
However, the entire video series, like all things on PragerU, is excellent. I will be attaching one of PragerU’s Ten Commandment videos to each of our Ten Commandment lessons which post on the first Friday of each month in 2022. Enjoy!
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
Thompson Chain Reference Bible
New Living Parallel Study Bible
Spirit-Filled Life Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
REACHING HURTING WOMEN MINISTRIES OFFERS FOUR TopicS FOR CONTEMPLATION EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR.
EACH Topic IS A 12-MONTH STUDY SERIES ASSIGNED TO A SPECIFIC FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH. IN MONTHS WITH FIVE FRIDAYS I’LL BE REVIEWING VARIOUS INSPIRATIONAL MEDIA.
On the first Friday of each month in 2022 we’re studying The Ten Commandments. Join me as we take a fresh look at some of the most important Scripture in the Bible. We will learn why we need to study, put to memory and obey them. We start today with our Introduction to The Ten Commandments Study. Enjoy…
With our world in an abounding state of lawlessness and immorality what better time to take a serious look at, what are widely considered to be, the best moral code for humanity. Over the next twelve months we will study each of the Ten Commandments individually in depth.
Rebellious People
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it. But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” ~ Genesis 2:15-17
Worldly and Christian people alike are opposed to moral laws being imposed on their lives. Humanity from the beginning of time, rebelled against rules. Even Adam and Eve, with basically only one rule to follow, couldn’t keep it. Today’s modern culture tries to tell us what’s right or wrong. What in the past was always right is now being taught in schools and media to be wrong and vice versa. Without God as the Highest Source and Authority behind them The Ten Commandments would be powerless and subjective to individual beliefs.
The Father Knows Best
And the Lord our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear him so he can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as he has done to this day. ~ Deuteronomy 6:24
Without a set of rules to guide them, people will eventually perish. The sad and frustrating thing is we have been given the best moral code handwritten by the divine Creator of all humanity. If God created us, doesn’t He have the right to make the laws? Like a Good Father, God lovingly gave us ten basic and really simple rules to follow. If we all could just do that, our world would be a much happier and better place.
Why Study The Ten Commandments
Pay attention: I’m teaching you the rules and regulations that God commanded me, so that you may live by them in the land you are entering to take up ownership. Keep them. Practice them. You’ll become wise and understanding. When people hear and see what’s going on, they’ll say, “What a great nation! So wise, so understanding! We’ve never seen anything like it.” ~ Deuteronomy 4:5-6 (MSG)
There was a time in the early 20th Century when most people at least were aware of The Ten Commandments. They might not have been able to recite them from memory. But at least they knew the basics. Sadly, today the majority of people are completely ignorant when it comes to God’s Top Ten Rules for life. Most mainstream churches, even evangelical churches, shy away from teaching God’s Law. If we as Christians, and as a nation, want to see life change for the better, we must begin by going back to the basics. The Ten Commandments are central to not only New Testament ethics but for civilian ethics alike. The most important reason why we should study The Ten Commandments… God’s Law is good for us. We should want to know it!
Why Obey The Ten Commandments
Be strong and brave. Be sure to obey all the teachings my servant Moses gave you. If you follow them exactly, you will be successful in everything you do. ~ Joshua 1:7
It’s not only important that we study and learn The Ten Commandments, we need to put them into practice by obeying them in our everyday life. As Christians we are God’s people. And to be His people we must be set apart and follow His ways. When He gave the Israelites His Law, God was sharing His Father’s heart with us. He is telling us what is important to Him. We must honor that. Most importantly, God loves us and wants the best for us. We need to trust He know what is best and obey Him!
The Ten Commandments Can Turn Our Life Around
The Lord’s teachings are perfect. They give new strength. The Lord’s rules can be trusted. They make plain people wise. The Lord’s orders are right. They make people happy. The Lord’s commands are pure. They light up the way. It is good to respect the Lord. That respect will last forever. The Lord’s judgments are true. They are completely right. They are worth more than gold, even the purest gold. They are sweeter than honey, even the finest honey. They tell your servant what to do. Keeping them brings great reward. ~ Psalm 19:7-11
In essence, by following The Ten Commandments, one can almost be guaranteed an enjoyable life. If we as a human race would but embrace, put to memory and walk out these basic life rules our individual, family, and work life; local, national and international communities; would all be so much more productive and happy.
Join me over the next year as we dig in and study each of The Ten Commandments. We will learn how to easily put them to memory and apply them to our daily lives so we can be happy and healthy citizens of our world!
Take a few minutes and enjoy this excellent teaching from Dennis Prager on The Ten Commandments.
RESOURCES:
The Evidence Bible
The Thompson Chain Reference Bible
The Rational Bible: Genesisby Dennis Prager
The Rational Bible: Exodus by Dennis Prager
The 10 Commandments: What They Mean, Why They Matter, and Why we Should Obey Them by Kevin DeYoung
Pathway to Freedom: How God’s Laws Guide Our Lives by Alistair Begg
The Ten Commandments: Reasonable Rules for Life by Dwight L. Moody
![The Rational Bible: Genesis by [Dennis Prager]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Mk4ONcslL._SX260_.jpg)
