In the second half of Chapter 6 Moses preached to the people about their lives in the Promised Land after the conquest. In Chapter 7 he discusses the conquest itself. He instructs them as to their role in driving out the inhabitants of Canaan and reassures them that God’s presence and power will be with […]
Moses moves on from the Shema and gives the Israelites a series of imperatives for after they enter and conquer the land. He does not address what they will do to settle the land but tells them what they must remember after the battles are done and they have taken possession. Once they no longer […]
This text contains one of the most quoted portions of the Old Testament and some of the most important words in both Judaism and Christianity. Moses continues the theme of the last few verses of Chapter 5 and instructs the people on the importance of keeping the Law and the benefits of the covenant. But […]
Moses wraps up his re-telling of the events at Sinai. He reminds his listeners of what happened immediately after God gave them the Ten Commandments. In so doing he gives us insight into the nature and character of God. We learn more about God by hearing how He was perceived by the people who were […]
Covetousness is a very grave sin; indeed, so heinous is it that the Scriptures class it among the very gravest and grossest crimes (Eph 5:3). In Col 3:5 it is “idolatry”, while in I Cor 6:10 it is set forth as excluding a man from heaven. Its heinousness, doubtless, is accounted for by its being […]
Perhaps no sin is committed more frequently than lying. Everyone lies at one time or another – even the best of saints. It is one of the first sins we figure out at a very young age – “Did you take the cookie?” “Uh…no!” – and it never stops being a temptation until the day […]
The eighth commandment begins to get closer to us in its likelihood of temptation. Many cannot envision committing murder or adultery (at least the physical acts) but can at some levels see themselves stealing. The command seems to hit us more where we live even before we fully understand its application. In its place as […]
Refines our faith – I Pet 1:6-7 Produces endurance and perseverance – Jas 1:3-4; Rom 5:3-4 Broadens our understanding of God’s sovereignty – Job 42:2-6 Forces us to depend on God’s strength – II Cor 12:7-10 Drives us to God’s word – Ps 119:105-120 Incites us to pray – Jas 1:5; Matt 14:30 Enables us […]
All the commandments reflect the nature of God, but perhaps none do it as completely as the seventh. God is completely faithful; He is a God of covenants and He is three persons united as One in perfect intimacy and shared submission. He created man in His own image and thus created him to need […]
The Ten Commandments show us how far we fall short of the perfection needed to approach God. They do this by causing us to understand sin. Paul says in Romans 7 that without the Law we would not know what sin is – “I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; […]
