Introduction
Exodus 20:1–17: The name “Exodus” means departure, and the book of Exodus describes the Israelites’ departure from Egypt, where they had been slaves. Today’s reading recounts the establishment of God’s covenant with the people as they camped at Mount Sinai. Moses tells them what God had told him—laws known as the Ten Commandments (often referred to as the “Decalogue,” from the Latin for “ten words” or “ten statements”). These commandments provided the people with moral, civil, and religious laws by which they were to live.
Today’s Key Verse: Exodus 20:1–2a, 3 (GNT)
God spoke, and these were his words: “I am the LORD your God. … Worship no god but me.”
Read
20 God spoke, and these were his words: 2 “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, where you were slaves.
3 “Worship no god but me.
4 “Do not make for yourselves images of anything in heaven or on earth or in the water under the earth. 5 Do not bow down to any idol or worship it, because I am the Lord your God and I tolerate no rivals. I bring punishment on those who hate me and on their descendants down to the third and fourth generation. 6 But I show my love to thousands of generations[a] of those who love me and obey my laws.
7 “Do not use my name for evil purposes, for I, the Lord your God, will punish anyone who misuses my name.
8 “Observe the Sabbath and keep it holy. 9 You have six days in which to do your work, 10 but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to me. On that day no one is to work—neither you, your children, your slaves, your animals, nor the foreigners who live in your country. 11 In six days I, the Lord, made the earth, the sky, the seas, and everything in them, but on the seventh day I rested. That is why I, the Lord, blessed the Sabbath and made it holy.
12 “Respect your father and your mother, so that you may live a long time in the land that I am giving you.
13 “Do not commit murder.
14 “Do not commit adultery.
15 “Do not steal.
16 “Do not accuse anyone falsely.
17 “Do not desire another man’s house; do not desire his wife, his slaves, his cattle, his donkeys, or anything else that he owns.”
Reflect
The Ten Commandments are similar to an ancient form of treaty between a ruler and his people. In such a treaty, the ruler identifies himself and refers to acts done on behalf of the people. Then the ruler issues laws that the people are to follow in order to fulfill their part of the treaty. Reread verses 1–17. Can you see ways the Ten Commandments reflect aspects of those ancient treaties? What has God done for you?
Pray
Sovereign God, you have rescued me from bondage to sin. Teach me to obey your commandments and to live each day in a way that honors you. You are my God, and I worship you alone. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Leviticus 25:1–22: The Year of Restoration is described.
