Exodus 20

Read Exodus 20.

God spoke directly to the Israelites, reminding them that He was the LORD their God who had brought them out of Egypt and out of slavery. He then articulated the ten commandments.

The first four commandments concern people's relationship with God Himself. We are to have no other gods before Him, and we are forbidden from making or worshiping idols of any kind — whether they be the likeness of anything in the heavens, on the earth, or in the waters. The LORD declared Himself a jealous God, warning that the consequences of unfaithfulness would extend to future generations but that His love would be shown to those who love and obey Him. He also commanded that His name not be taken in vain, warning that He would not hold guiltless anyone who misused it.

The LORD then commanded the people to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. We are to work six days but rest on the seventh, as God Himself had done after creating the heavens, the earth, and the sea in six days. This rest extends to all members of the household, including servants and animals.

The remaining six commandments address how people are to treat one another. We are to honor our father and mother, a commandment that carries with it the promise of long life in the land God promises. We are commanded not to murder, not to commit adultery, not to steal, and not to give false testimony against our neighbors. Finally, we are forbidden from coveting anything that belongs to our neighbors — their houses, spouses, servants, animals, or any possessions.

When the people witnessed the thunder, lightning, the sound of the trumpet, and the smoking mountain that accompanied God's presence, they were afraid and stood at a distance. They pleaded with Moses to be the one to speak to them rather than having God speak to them directly, fearing they would die if He did. Moses reassured them that God had come not to destroy them but to test them, so that the fear of God would remain with them and keep them from sinning.

Moses then got closer to the thick darkness where God was, and the LORD gave him instructions. He told Moses to remind the people that they had seen firsthand that God had spoken to them from heaven, and they were not to make gods of silver or gold to stand alongside Him. He instructed them on how to build an altar — made simply of earth or of uncut stones, since using tools on the stones would defile them — and promised to come and bless them wherever they offered their sacrifices and worshiped His name.