The Ten Commandments, a final look at Ex 20:1-17

We continue our look at The Ten Commandments with a final look at Ex 20:1-17.  We will continue this series next time with a look at the verses immediately following the Decalogue (Ten Commandments)  Ex 20:18-22 

You can find the posts on a few of the Scripture passages that precede The Ten Commandments at the following links:

The observational overview of Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE

And the in depth look at Ex 19:3-6 can be found HERE.

The in depth look at Ex 19:7-11 can be found HERE.

The concluding thoughts on Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE. 

The initial overview of Ex 20:1-17 can be found HERE.   

The in-depth look at Ex 20:1 can be found HERE. 

 The in-depth look at Ex 20:2-6 can be found HERE.

The in-depth look at Ex 20:7 can be found HERE. 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:8-11 can be found HERE. 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:12 can be found HERE. 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:13-16 can be found HERE. 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:17 can be found HERE. 

I do encourage everyone to look at all the prior posts in this series as the preceding context helps us to a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments.

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

Exodus 20:1-17 (NASB)
¹ Then God spoke all these words, saying,
² "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
³ "You shall have no other gods before Me.
⁴ "You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.
⁵ "You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,
⁶ but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
⁷ "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain.
⁸ "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
⁹ "Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.
¹¹ "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.
¹² "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.
¹³ "You shall not murder.
¹⁴ "You shall not commit adultery.
¹⁵ "You shall not steal.
¹⁶ "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
¹⁷ "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

What follows are the concluding questions and summary of Ex 20:1-17

Biblical Principles

• Given the original context, what does the text mean? -- God spoke DIRECTLY to the Israelites at this moment in time.  He gave them His words to obey to keep their part of the covenant.  ( Ex 19:5 )  Immediately following this the Israelites became afraid and definitely decided they would prefer an intermediary person.  (Moses)
• What fundamental universal truths are presented in this passage? State that truth in a simple sentence or two. -- God's laws are perfect.  Ex 20:1-8 deal with how we are to relate to God and Ex 20:9-17 tell us how to relate to our fellow man.  Jesus sums this all up perfectly in His response to a question from the Pharisees:  Mat 22:34-40  
• What issues in our own culture and my own situations does this truth address? --  1)  Most people don't pay attention to these laws.  2)  Although we should pay attention to them we should always remember that only ONE person has ever or could ever live perfectly up to God's commands:  Jesus Christ.  And because of Jesus' perfection, sacrifice on the cross and resurrection we are forgiven.  BUT we STILL need to look at and strive to obey the Law!  It IS perfect.  And although we won't obtain perfection in our earthly life, by striving for it (through Jesus Christ) we will be better people and more importantly we will continue to grow in our relationship with God!
• What are the implications when applied to my life and the world around me? --  Well as always life is better, I am better and my relationship with God is better when I am immersed in His Word, praying, and obeying. 
• What changes does it require? -- More diligence on my part!  Period!
• What values does it reinforce? -- That God's Laws are perfect and good.  And that He love us.  For when we obey, (even though we have been made free from sin through Jesus Christ), life is better and our relationship with God is better! 
• What difference does it make? -- ALL the difference!

Application Summary

• The normal application questions don't quite work here as the entire section is application!!  These are commands!  They tell us what to do and what to avoid.  A few have promises attached to them!  And the challenge is to continue to strive to obey these commands all the while know that only Jesus was able to obey them perfectly.  And we are to know and understand and believe that Jesus' perfection, sacrifice on the cross, and His resurrection have freed us from sin and made it possible for us to be presented as clean to the Father in spite of our own imperfections and disobedience.  AND herein lies the biggest challenge:  Knowing we have been made clean could make us lazy!!  But Paul tells us directly that we are not to be lazy regarding sin:  Ro 6:8-18 
• I think it is also wise to make special note of the sin of coveting!!  For it SEEMS that all other sins derive in SOME way from coveting.  James 4:2-7   I must not covet.  I must focus on what God wants me to have and do:  John 21:17-22

Commentaries

The Bible Background Commentary:

• Tells us that the type of law found in the Ten Commandments is apodictic law and that it is rarely found in other legal collections of the ancient Near East.  Apodictic law is a type of legal statement in the form of a command without any explanation.This helps us to place the Ten Commandments in to the category of covenant.

Bibliography

• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

Next time we begin our look at the verses immediately following The Ten Commandments:  Ex 20:18-22

 

The Ten Commandments: Today's verse is Ex 20:17

We continue our look at The Ten Commandments with an in-depth look at Ex 20:17

 

You can find the posts on a few of the Scripture passages that precede The Ten Commandments at the following links:

The observational overview of Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE

And the in depth look at Ex 19:3-6 can be found HERE.

The in depth look at Ex 19:7-11 can be found HERE.

The concluding thoughts on Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE. 

 

The initial overview of Ex 20:1-17 can be found HERE.   

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:1 can be found HERE. 

 

 The in-depth look at Ex 20:2-6 can be found HERE.

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:7 can be found HERE. 

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:8-11 can be found HERE. 

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:12 can be found HERE. 

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:13-16 can be found HERE.

 

I do encourage everyone to look at all the prior posts in this series as the preceding context helps us to a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments.

 

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

 

 

Exodus 20:17 (NASB)

¹⁷ "You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."

Grammatical and other Considerations

• Covet is repeated twice!
• The word anything is important!  We are not to covet anything that belongs to our neighbor.

My Questions

• Why is coveting bad?
• Neighbor?  Can I assume this means anyone?
• Can we infer from the word "belong" that wanting stuff in and of itself is not bad but that it is wanting what is not ours that is bad?  (including stuff that God does not want us to have?)

Verse Cross References

• Ex 20:17 -- Dt 5:21 Mt 5:28 Lk 12:15 Ro 7:7 Ro 13:9 Eph 5:3 Eph 5:5 Heb 13:5 Pro 6:29 Ge 3:6 1Sa 15:19 Ps 10:3 Ps 119:36 Ecc 4:8 Ecc 5:10-11 Isa 33:15-16 Eze 33:31 Mic 2:2 Php 3:18-20 Col 3:5 1Ti 6:6-10 2Sa 11:2-4 Pro 4:23 Mt 20:11-15 Ac 5:4 James 3:14-16 James 4:1-7 1Jo 2:15-17  
• Thoughts -- There is no mystery in what Jesus says in Mat 5:28 !!  He is just clarifying THIS commandment for us!  Coveting something is the first step in sinning!!  It is a sin!  James 4:1-7 also help us understand as does 1Jo 2:15-17   When we covet something that is not ours, we are not being content ( 1Ti 6:6-10 ) with what we have.  We are then focusing on something else other than God!  This does become a form of idolatry.  Nowhere does the Word say it is bad to want something.  But wanting something and desiring something that isn't ours OR not meant be ours are two different things!!  Again James 4:1-7 helps us here.  Motives are important.  If we ask through prayer we will usually ask for the right things, the things that God wants us to want!!  There is a difference in wanting something good for us (something God wants us to have) and wanting what we want because we want it, and we (if we are honest with ourselves) can usually tell the difference in how those two types of wanting fell within our heart!!

Important terms

covet:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ex 34:24 Dt 5:21 Dt 7:25  Jos 6:18 Mic 2:2 Ro 7:7 Ro 13:9 Ge 3:6 Jos 7:21 Job 20:20 Isa 1:29 
• Thoughts -- The story of Adam and Eve is a good example of coveting something that God did not wish them to have!!
• Definition -- to desire, or lust after. 

anything:

• Definition -- The Hebrew definition for this word means "the whole"!  Or ENTIRE!  God is telling us that we are not to covet ANYTHING that is our neighbor's!   This is highlighted in the verse:  John 21:20-22 Peter was beginning to covet what would happen to John (although he did not even know what that was...Peter was focusing on other people's stuff instead of what Jesus wanted for him to do and have!)

neighbor:

• Definition -- a noun meaning another person!  Usually refers to a second party in a personal interaction but does not indicate any particular relationship.  Can be broad:  lover, close friend, acquaintance, adversary or an enemy!

Answering My Questions

• Why is coveting bad? -- Because it focuses our heart and soul away from God AND away from what He wants for us and from us! (a form of idolatry)  It also OFTEN leads to physical sin against our and fellow man and against God! James 4:2-7   SO:  God is telling us that even the mental action of coveting is a sin! 
• Neighbor? Can I assume this means anyone? --  YES!  It means anyone!
• Can we infer from the word "belong" that wanting stuff in and of itself is not bad but that it is wanting what is not ours that is bad? (including stuff that God does not want us to have?) -- Yes, I think so.  God did not say that wanting something was bad.  It is COVETING it that is bad.  Wanting it past the point of reason to where it is our sole focus.  It is okay to want something ( a job, a relationship, even money!)  However, we should always pray to make sure it is what God wants for and from us ( John 21:20-22 ) and if it belongs to someone else or is not in God's plan for us, then it is forbidden to covet it!  Mk 7:21-22 

Summarizing

• I think the answers to my questions sum the verse up fairly well!!
• Jesus reminds us of the danger of coveting in:  Mk 7:21-22

Commentaries

The Wycliffe Bible Commentary

• Reminds us that covetousness is basically the the sin of Adam and Eve:  to desire something or someone that is NOT in God's plan for us.

Topics for further study

• Wanting versus coveting
• Contentedness
• Discerning between desires God places within us and lustful desires that are not for us to pursue!  (Besides the obvious!)

Bibliography

• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

 

The Ten Commandments, Today's Verses are Ex 20:13-16

We continue our look at The Ten Commandments with an in-depth look at Ex 20:13-16

 

You can find the posts on a few of the Scripture passages that precede The Ten Commandments at the following links:

The observational overview of Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE

And the in depth look at Ex 19:3-6 can be found HERE.

The in depth look at Ex 19:7-11 can be found HERE.

The concluding thoughts on Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE. 

 

The initial overview of Ex 20:1-17 can be found HERE.   

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:1 can be found HERE. 

 

 The in-depth look at Ex 20:2-6 can be found HERE.

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:7 can be found HERE. 

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:8-11 can be found HERE. 

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:12 can be found HERE.

 

I do encourage everyone to look at all the prior posts in this series as the preceding context helps us to a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments.

 

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

 

Exodus 20:13-16 (NASB)
¹³ "You shall not murder.
¹⁴ "You shall not commit adultery.
¹⁵ "You shall not steal.
¹⁶ "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Grammatical Considerations

• These commandments are straightforward.  The main grammatical consideration is "shall not..."  God leaves no wiggle room!
• Although this particular in-depth look is a little less verbose than previous entries, it should in no way be taken as a sign that these particular verses are any less important.  I just find them to be very straightforward. 

My Questions

• My questions are actually more of a topical nature.  I want to understand more and apply Jesus' thoughts and commands regarding these (and all) the commandments.

Verse Cross References

• Ex 20:13 -- Mt 5:21-22 Ro 13:9 Ge 9:6 Lev 24:17 Mt 19:18 Jas 2:11 Lev 24:21 1Jn 3:12-15 
• Ex 20:14  -- Dt 5:18 Mt 5:27-28 Lev 20:10 Pr 2:15-18 Mk 10:11 Heb 13:4 Gen 2:24 
• Ex 20:15 -- Lev 19:11 Lev 19:13 Pr 11:1 Mt 15:19 
• Ex 20:16 -- Ex 23:1 Lev 19:18

Answering My Questions

• The question above will be answered in a separate topical study!

Summarizing

• Although all the commandments are straight forward these four are even more so.  There is no wiggle room.  God even states them in a much more straight forward way than He does the other commandments.  He gives no explaination or effects of disobedience or obedience.  Jesus elaborates on them and that IS a topic I will study a later date!!

Commentaries

• Nothing substantial.  Although the Bible Background Commentary is quick ( a little too quick?) to say Ex 20:13 does not apply to capital punishment. 

Topics for further study

• Adultery
• Jesus and the commandments
• Mat 19:11-12 
• how to treat our neighbors

Bibliography

• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

 

The Ten Commandments, Today's Verse is Ex 20:12

We continue our look at The Ten Commandments with an in-depth look at Ex 20:12 

 

You can find the posts on a few of the Scripture passages that precede The Ten Commandments at the following links:

The observational overview of Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE

And the in depth look at Ex 19:3-6 can be found HERE.

The in depth look at Ex 19:7-11 can be found HERE.

The concluding thoughts on Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE. 

 

The initial overview of Ex 20:1-17 can be found HERE.   

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:1 can be found HERE. 

 

 The in-depth look at Ex 20:2-6 can be found HERE.

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:7 can be found HERE. 

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:8-11 can be found HERE.

 

I do encourage everyone to look at all the prior posts in this series as the preceding context helps us to a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments.

 

You can hover your pointer over (most) any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

 

 

 

 

 Exodus 20:12 (NASB)  

 "Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you."

Grammatical Considerations

• "that you..."   This commandment has an effect attached to it.  If we honor our father and mother it will cause our days to be prolonged!  Days which the LORD has given us.

My Questions

• Why does this commandment have the effect attached to it?

Verse Cross References

• Ex 20:12 -- Lev 19:3 Mt 15:3-9 Mk 7:9-13 Lk 18:20 Eph 6:1-3  Dt 27:16 Mt 19:19 Dt 5:16 Dt 5:33 Dt 11:8-9 Ex 21:15 Ex 21:17 Lev 19:32 Pro 1:8-9 Pro 15:5 Pro 20:20 Pro 23:22-25 Pro 28:24 Pro 30:11 Pro 30:17 Mal 1:6 Col 3:20 Dt 4:40 Isa 45:10 1Tim 5:3-4 
• Thoughts -- There are plenty of instances where this command is repeated as both a command from God and as just wise living (as in Proverbs) God wants us to honor our mother and father.  And yet how does that reconcile with Lk 14:26 ??  Well the quick answer to Lk 14:26 can be found in Mat 10:37 

Important terms

Honor:

• Definition -- to weigh heavily

father:

• Definition -- father, head of a household, appears first in Gen 2:24

mother:

• Definition -- a mother, a women with children, also appears first in Gen 2:24

days:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ge 1:14 Gen 3:14 Gen 5:4 Gen 26:15 
• Thoughts -- Often used as a general marking of time for someones life:  Gen 5:5  Gen 5:8 etc. etc.
• Definition -- The basic conception of time in the Old Testament. Could be a year, a span of life etc. etc.

prolonged:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Dt 5:16 Dt 6:2 Dt 25:15 Isa 13:22 Dt 5:33 Dt 17:20 
• Thoughts -- a word that is not used that often.
• Definition -- draw out or postpone.  In most instances it refers to the element of time.

gives:

• Definition -- to give , to place.

Further Information From Study Helps

Bible Background Commentary:

• The home was (and probably still SHOULD be) see as an important link to convent instruction to each successive generation.  By not heeding parental authority the covenant could be in jeopardy.

Answering My Questions:

• Why does this commandment have the effect attached to it? -- The answer is: God has His reasons and He decided to attach the end statement to this commandment.  (also see comments from commentaries below)

Summarizing

• This commandment summarizes itself.  I do find the commentary listed below (and above) regarding the family unit to be very interesting and illuminating regarding this verse.  A good indication of why commentaries should be consulted after we have done our own initial studies!

 

Commentaries

Wycliffe Bible Commentary:

• States (in connection with "that your days may be prolonged...") that could be understood as referring both to Israel's time in the land of promise and also to the life of an individual.  Also states that the destruction of the home marks the beginning of the end in nations and in individual lives.

Topics for further study

• Luke 14:26 
• Mt 12:47-50

Bibliography

 

• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Fleming, Don. Concise Bible Commentary. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• – Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book. 

We will continue next time with a look at Ex 20:13-16

 

The Ten Commandments. Today's verses are Ex 20:8-11

 

 

 I have added a few resources to my Bible Study.  The IVP  Bible Background Commentary, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary and the AMG Concise Bible Commentary.  I will check the IVP Background Commentary before answering my questions and summarizing but AFTER all Scriptural Cross-Referencing.  (I am already seeing how beneficial the IVP Background Commentary will be for study!  Great Resource)  The other two more general commentaries will only be checked after all study is complete.  I will look to them for any additional insights and to make sure I have not gone off the rails!  :)

 

We continue our look at The Ten Commandments with an in-depth look at Ex 20:8-11

 

You can find the posts on a few of the Scripture passages that precede The Ten Commandments at the following links:

The observational overview of Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE

And the in depth look at Ex 19:3-6 can be found HERE.

The in depth look at Ex 19:7-11 can be found HERE.

The concluding thoughts on Ex 19:3-11 can be found HERE. 

 

The initial overview of Ex 20:1-17 can be found HERE.   

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:1 can be found HERE. 

 

 The in-depth look at Ex 20:2-6 can be found HERE.

 

The in-depth look at Ex 20:7 can be found HERE.

 

I do encourage everyone to look at all the prior posts in this series as the preceding context helps us to a deeper understanding of the Ten Commandments.

 

You can hover your pointer over any verse reference to read the corresponding verse(s).  (Scriptural cross-references are THE most important resource!)

Exodus 20:8-11 (NASB)

⁸ "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
⁹ "Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
¹⁰ but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.
¹¹ "For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy.

Grammatical and other Considerations:

• This commandment (to keep the Sabbath holy) comes with an explanation. God rested on the seventh day, therefor He blessed the day and made it holy. That is really all we need to know.

• We are not to do any work.

My Questions:

• Why a sabbath day?

Verse Cross References:

• Ex 20:8 -- Ex 31:13-16 Lev 6:2 Ex 23:12 Dt 5:12 Ex 16:23-30 Gen 2:3 Lev 19:3 lev 23:3 Isa 56:4-6 Heb 4:9 Isa 56:1-8 Isa 58:13-14 Jer 17:21-27
• Thoughts -- It is interesting that God says that gave us the sabbath ex 16:29 He also commands us to keep it holy! I think one of they keys to entire commandment is to be found in Isa 58:13 The sabbath is not for doing our own pleasure. Whether it be work or play!! It is a day made holy by the Lord. Which means it has been set apart! We need to treat it as such. Not to do so is to put our own selves before what God wants, and that is not right. Which brings Jesus' comments in Mt 12:10-12 even clearer. Jesus tells the people that it IS lawful to do good on the Sabbath. Because helping someone for no gain (as Jesus healed the man with the hand) is NOT the same doing our own pleasure! Interesting..... needs more looking at.
• Ex 20:9 -- ex 34:21 Dt 5:13
• Thoughts -- We ARE to work and to labor all the rest of the week.! But we are also to rest and we are also keep the Sabbath day holy.
• Ex 20:11 --Ex 31:17 Mk 2:27 Mk 2:28 Gen 2:2-3
• Thoughts -- This is the explanation. Really all we need. God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it. So therefore it is holy because He is holy!

Important terms:

Sabbath:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ex 16:23 Ex 16:25-29 Ex 35:2 Lev 16:31 Lev 23:3 Lev 23:32 Dt 5:12 Isa 58:13 Jer 17 Mt 12 Mk 2:27 Lk 6:5 Lk 6:9 Heb 4:9 Eze 20:12 Eze 20:20 Isa 56:4
• Thoughts -- I really think that Isa 58:13 and Mt 12 are really important. As is Jesus' statement in Mk 2:27 In Isa 58:13 God is commanding us to turn away from our OWN pleasure and to not speak our own words! It is HIS holy day. We are to delight in His holy day and not follow our own wants. So then Jesus' point makes sense that healing on the Sabbath is good! It is doing something for others, loving others, that IS honoring God. Selfless works on the sabbath are not turning to our own pleasures! I will say that I want to spend more time with what Jesus says in Mk 2:27 --- Eze 20:12 and other parts of Eze 20 bring a little light to this statement. God says in Eze 20:12 that He gave the Israelites the sabbaths as a sign between Him and them that they might know He is the Lord who sanctifies them! God gave them (us) a holy day set apart because He had set the Israelites apart as holy and now we are set apart as well as we believe in and follow His Son Jesus Christ! There is more here!
• Definition -- day of atonement. According the the AMG Complete Word Study Dictionary the basis for the Sabbath was in God's rest on the seventh day of creation AND in Israel's historic experience of forced labor! Dt 5:15
• Vine's mention that by resting on the sabbath man is giving witness to his trust in God to give fruit to his labor. It is also entering into God's rest.

labor:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ge 2:5 Ge 2:15 Ge 3:23 Ge 29:18 Ex 1:13 Ex 5:9 Job 7:1 Psa 104:14 Pr 14:23 Pro 13:11 Ecc 2:11 Ecc 2:18 Ecc 2:24 Ecc 4:8 1Co 3:8
• Thoughts -- The Hebrew word is translated many ways besides the word labor. Labor is seen as a good thing in Proverbs, vanity in Ecclesiastes, and often associated with slavery in Exodus. The word is pretty far ranging.
• Definition -- A verb meaning to work or to serve.

work:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ge 2:2-3 Ge 5:29 Ex 7:9
• Thoughts -- Why use both labor and work in the same sentence?
• Definition -- work or occupation or business. Something made.

rest (rested):

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ge 2:2-3 Ex 16:30 Heb 4:10 Lev 23:32 Lev 16:31 Lev 23:3 Ps 22:2 Ps 37:7 Ecc 4:6 Eze 34:15 Mt 11:28-9 Ex 33:14
• Thoughts -- Rest is something important. What Jesus says in mt 11:28-9 relates to Eze 34:15
• Definition -- to repose, to pause for rest after laboring.

blessed:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Gen 2:3 Gen 5:2 Gen 9:1 Gen 24:1 Gen 35:9 Dt 12:7 Ps 72:18
• Thoughts -- What makes this important is that it is God who blessed the sabbath day!
• Definition -- a verb meaning to bless.

holy:

• WORDSearch concordance search -- Ex 3:5 Ex 15:13 Ex 16:23 Ex 29:37 Ex 31:14 Lev 23:3 Gen 2:3 ex 13:2 Ex 19:14 Ex 19:10
• Thoughts -- It is interesting that this word can be translated as holy and sanctified. It is the same word we saw as consecrate in ex 19:10
• Definition -- a verb meaning to be set apart. Vine's clarifies it as to be set aside for use in the worship of God. In this state the thing or person is to be withheld from workaday use and to be treated with special care as a possession of God.
• Further thoughts -- So if God declared it holy then we are to declare it holy..set it apart from everyday use....so that we can worship God! And not pursue our own pleasures! The day is set apart for God.

Further information from Study Helps:

Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary:

• Further exposits that the term holy has to do primarily with God's separating form the world that which He chooses to devote to Himself!

Bible Background Commentary:

• Tells us that observing a Sabbath has no known parallel in any of the other cultures of the ancient Near East. The Sabbath as stated in the Decalogue is also independent of any patterns of nature! A similar term was used in some of the Babylonian texts but it was not a work-free day!

Answering My Questions:

• Why a sabbath day? -- The end of Ex 20:11 answers this question: "..therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy." Coupled with mk 2:27 and Ez 20:12 we have a pretty clear answer. God set apart a holy day for His chosen people who He has set apart as holy! There need be no other reason. The fact that it is good for us as it allows us physical, and mental rest and also allows us to spend time, really spend time, with God once a week is even better.

Summarizing:

• We could spend a lot of time trying to decipher the reasoning of the sabbath but the fact it that God Himself, set it apart as holy. He did it for us as Jesus states in Mk 2:27 God wants a day where we do not pursue our own pleasurs but instead seek Him! Isa 58:13-14 The fact that God set apart the day for us should be enough for us to keep the sabbath!

Commentaries:

Wycliffe Bible Commentary:

• Reminds us that the Sabbath is a cessation of labor.

Topics for further study:

• The Sabbath
• Mt 12:10-12 What is doing one's own pleasure?
• work, labor
• Jesus and the Sabbath

 

Bibliography:

• Baker, Warren, ed. – The Complete Word Study Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG, 1994. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Baker, Warren and Eugene Carpenter. The Complete Word Study Dictionary – Old Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Brand, Chad, Charles Draper, Archie England, ed. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word: Today's Bible Translation That Means What It Says Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• God's Word Application Index. Holiday, FL: Green Key Books, n.d.. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holman Christian Standard Bible Nashville: Holman Bible, 1999. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Holy Bible, New American Standard La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Pfeiffer, Charles F. and Everett F. Harrison, ed. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary. Chicago: Moody Bible Institute, 1990. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Thompson, Frank Charles. Thompson Chain Reference Bible. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., 1997. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Torrey, R. A. The New Topical Textbook. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1897. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Vine, William E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old Testament and New Testament Words. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 1940. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.
• Walton, John H., Victor H. Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas. The IVP Bible Background Commentary – Old Testament. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.