Exodus 20
Exodus 20:1-26 (NLT)
1 Then God gave the people all these instructions:
2 “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
3 “You must not have any other god but me.
4 “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.
5 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. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me.
6 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
7 “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
9 You have six days each week for your ordinary work,
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.
11 For in six days the LORD made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
12 “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
13 “You must not murder.
14 “You must not commit adultery.
15 “You must not steal.
16 “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”
18 When the people heard the thunder and the loud blast of the ram’s horn, and when they saw the flashes of lightning and the smoke billowing from the mountain, they stood at a distance, trembling with fear.
19 And they said to Moses, “You speak to us, and we will listen. But don’t let God speak directly to us, or we will die!”
20 “Don’t be afraid,” Moses answered them, “for God has come in this way to test you, and so that your fear of him will keep you from sinning!”
21 As the people stood in the distance, Moses approached the dark cloud where God was.
22 And the LORD said to Moses, “Say this to the people of Israel: You saw for yourselves that I spoke to you from heaven.
23 Remember, you must not make any idols of silver or gold to rival me.
24 “Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me—your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats, and your cattle. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you.
25 If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.
26 And do not approach my altar by going up steps. If you do, someone might look up under your clothing and see your nakedness.
There was a significant purpose in the way the commandments were given, with thunder, lightning, and smoke coming from the mountain. Each of the commands was intended for their protection and blessing, but each of them was also something they would need help complying with. There would be a natural temptation to transgress that only the fear of God could overcome. Concern for opposing the Source of the sounds and lights was to be effective in resisting dangerous and harmful natural urges. Future failures in any of these commands would directly relate to disregarding this fear, as if belief in Him and its consequences quickly faded from reality. The further away in time and distance from the experience of the mountain, the lesser the importance of what was imparted there. It didn’t take long for full engagement in transgressing God’s clear commands.
Though we’re no longer under the letter of the commands given at the mountain, there is yet significant benefit and protection in following the wisdom of God that is found in each of them. Being in Christ doesn’t disable the importance of compliance with God’s heart. It enables compliance through a compelling force much greater than the fading fear of a mountain experience. Being in Christ takes the mountain experience wherever life is happening, making His presence a guiding force of wisdom’s prudence in an ever-growing awareness of His presence. Where the impact of His glory may fade in memory and influence, unity with Christ in the Spirit, brings honor of Him into every moment, where the true intent of the commandments becomes fulfilled in the honor of His constant presence.