Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9
In ancient cultures, when a covenant was made between two parties, they would write up a summary of what was promised. The ten commandments is really a summary of the whole law that is contained in Torah.
We have translated Torah as Law, but its meaning is closer to instruction or teaching. It wasn’t a set of rules and regulations so that God could monitor and control behavior. It was an instruction manual for the relationship. God told them how to live! It is received with joy. And to recite the ten commandments is to embrace the whole law.
The giving of the commandments is likened to the Jewish wedding picture. The bride is chosen (Israel), a bride price is paid (Passover), the bride is sanctified, cleansed for the wedding (through the Red Sea) by a ritual bath (micveh). Then the bride approaches her groom (coming to Mount Sinai) and they meet under the huppah canopy (clouds) and they exchange vows (giving of the covenant).
Think about a wedding today with an exchange of vows. it isn’t a set of rules but promises. The vows are a summary of your promised conduct towards one another. The ten commandments is similar.
On an anniversary, if vows are recited again, it isn’t to bash each other over the head with failures. “You promised to love me …but remember when you didn’t take out the trash.” “Remember that night you decided to do your choice instead of mine, …” The vows are to recommit to the original love relationship.
Please don’t hear me lessen the seriousness of sin or its consequences with a Holy God. But there is much more to our obedience than a legalistic interpretation of the laws. Because of grace some think it doesn’t matter anymore what I do because God will forgive me since I’m saved by grace. But it ignores the reality of the relationship and the instructions for a healthy relationship. The error is all on our side. The payment is all on His side. But that doesn’t mean we can just do what we want. Just as it would damage a marriage relationship – it also damages our relationship with our loving God.
Lord, I want to honor You in all my actions. Thank you for loving me enough to give a set of instructions on right living so that I grow closer every day. May I aspire to fulfill the commandments as an expression of love to You.
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love. John 15:10
