Daily Devotions – The Law, Part 2

Daily Devotions – The Law, Part 2

 

 

Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:

 

Exodus 20:8-17 (NIV)

“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. 11 For in six days, the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. 13 “You shall not murder. 14 “You shall not commit adultery. 15 “You shall not steal. 16 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

 

The second section of the 10 Commandments reflects how we are to live in community with one another.  If I were to take an informal pole, I imagine most everyone would agree that we should not disrespect our parents, murder, steal, lie or commit adultery. That makes the other two commandments very interesting.  Do you think it’s important to take a Sabbath (take a day off to focus on rest and worship)?  Do you think it matters if we covet (desire) our neighbor’s stuff?  I’m a big fan of Sabbath rest… mostly because I like to nap.  But these laws are more than common sense and a reminder to rest.  These laws remind us that our neighbor is a blessing to us.  And we are to be a blessing to our neighbor.  If we look at those around us as labor, if we view others with malice or jealousy, we forget that God provides all that we need and we are to love and serve our neighbor.  Which commandment do you think you have the most trouble with?  Today, pray and ask God for his forgiveness and know that you are forgiven and made new!