The Ten Commandments, Final Thoughts on Ex 20:18-22

We conclude our look at The Ten Commandments with a final look at 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 posts dealing directly with The Ten Commandments can be found at the following links:

 

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. 

The concluding thoughts on Ex 20:1-17 can be found HERE.

 

The Initial overview of Ex 20:18-22 can be found HERE. 

The In-depth look at Ex 20:18-19 can be found HERE.

 The in-depth look at Ex 20:20-22 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 20:18-22 (NASB)
¹⁸ All the people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance.
¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die."
²⁰ Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin."
²¹ So the people stood at a distance, while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.
²² Then the LORD said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'You yourselves have seen that I have spoken to you from heaven.

Biblical Principles

• Given the original context, what does the text mean? --As this occurred immediately following God speaking directly to the Israelites we are able to see what God's presence did for them.  They believed and were afraid.  So afraid they wanted Moses to speak God for them.
• What fundamental universal truths are presented in this passage. State that truth in a simple sentence or two. -- As Moses tells the Israelites, we are not to be afraid but are to have the fear of God in us so that we may not sin.  We are not capable of being in God's presence without an intermediary.  Jesus IS THAT intermediary!!
• What issues in our own culture and my own situations does this truth address? -- Too many people do not have the fear of God in them AND too many people are too afraid to open themselves up to Jesus!
• What are the implications when applied to my life and the world around me? --  I need to realize the Law was given to us (me) for our own good.  I must also realize that I will NOT be able to hold true to God's Law on my own without God's chosen intermediary, His Son, Jesus Christ.  And as Jesus tells us:  I should not be afraid!!  Jesus is here for us!  
• What changes does it require? --  To stay focused in prayer, and immersion in God's Word.
• What values does it reinforce? -- God's values!!! 
• What difference does it make? -- As with most things in the Bible it makes all the difference.  Knowing that I am to have the fear of God (reverence for) in me and that allows me to be not afraid is an amazing thing to know! 

Application

• Is there a sin to avoid? --Being afraid
• Is there a promise to claim? -- If we keep the fear of God in us we will be free from sin.
• Is there a command to obey?  -- To not be afraid but to instead have the fear of God in us.
• Is there an error to mark? -- Yes!  The Israelites were more afraid then reverent.  And that is one of the reasons they were not able to keep the covenant
• Is there a challenge to face?  --  Yes!  How to keep the fear of God in me!  And yet how to not be afraid.  Staying strong and courageous!

Application Summary

• I need to have the fear of God in me but I should not be afraid.  I should have extreme reverence for God and His Word and commands!  I should be courageous in my faith and life.   I should most of all continue to desire a relationship with God's chosen intermediary for us:  His Son, Jesus Christ.

One Final Thought

• I think it is really important to remember and meditate on Ex 20:2-6 and Ex 20:17   All the Commandments are God's commands but it seems that nearly all sin is somehow fed and nourished when we (I!) forget these two commandments.  If we (I!) struggle with Ex 20:2-6 and Ex 20:17 we (I!) will struggle with all the rest.   I am also overwhelmed by God's plan!  His love for us!  Reading and looking to the passages preceding and following the The Ten Commandments has (hopefully) made those commandments even dearer to my heart.  Ps 119:9-11

This concludes our look at The Ten Commandments (or Decalogue if you prefer)

In our next post we will begin a study of two related sections of Scripture:  Lk 22:31-34 and Jn 21:15-19 (with a brief mention of Jn 21:22