The Way
The Ten Words
Words from the one who set them free
Story
Smoke wrapped the whole mountain, and flames flickered at its summit. From within it God himself began to speak, and the whole people at the foot of the mountain held their breath and heard his voice. The first words were not a command. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. On that rescue, now, the ten words began to be laid down one by one.
You shall have no other gods besides me. Do not make a carved image and bow down before it. Do not take the name of the Lord your God lightly. Six days you shall work, but remember the seventh day, the Sabbath, and keep it holy. Honour your father and your mother. Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness against your neighbour, do not covet your neighbour's house or anything that is his.
As the thunder rolled and the lightning flashed and the trumpet sounded long, and the mountain poured out smoke, the people trembled, drew back and stood far off. They clung to Moses. You speak to us, and we will listen. If God speaks to us himself, we feel we will die. Moses answered, Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, and to keep you from sinning. The people stood far off, while Moses alone drew near to the thick darkness where God was.
Walk this scene on the map →God's Words
I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.
Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
You speak to us, and we will listen. If God speaks to us directly, we feel we will die.
Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of him will keep you from sinning.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Ex 20:1–21
Background
Exodus 34 and Deuteronomy 4 call these the ten words. The way they are divided into ten differs slightly between the Jewish, Catholic and Lutheran, and Reformed traditions. The same words appear again in Deuteronomy 5.
Pause and Reflect
Do I see God's commandments only as a burden, or as a way to follow within his grace?