Exodus 20:3 - Forerunner Commentary

Exodus 20:3

Library

<< Exodus 20:2 Exodus 20:4 >>

Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain The Second Book of Moses Called Exodus 20:3:

Exodus 20:1-6
Excerpted from: Remaining Free

It is common to skip over the preamble to the Ten Commandments, but notice how God introduces His law. He begins with His authority and the fact that He brought Israel out of the house of bondage. Thus, He brings to mind His deliverance, and then states His commands. The unstated implication is that the commands are critical to remaining free. This is backed up by James, who twice refers to God’s law as “the law of liberty” (James 1:25; 2:12). Contrary to common misunderstanding, God’s law is not what puts us into bondage. We were in bondage, and God delivered us, and He gives His law to help us remain free. God’s law tells us what sin is, which is a blessing because sin is what enslaves. God’s law teaches us how to keep from being brought back into bondage.

Notice that God begins with commands against idolatry. His opening statement to the nation is to forbid worshiping any other god, or else worshiping the true God in a way other than how He commands, and specifically with physical representations. Those two commands are foundational to remaining free.

Exodus 20:3-5
Excerpted from: Maintaining Good Health (Part 1)

This is a warning right in the midst of the Ten Commandments that those who break His law are sowing the seeds that are going to affect those who come after them, and so the children become victims of the sins of the parents. We'll just broaden it out a little bit and say "ancestors."

Something to consider is appearing where this warning does, which appears right in the midst of the commandments. It seems to indicate that the basic cause for this occurring—the passing on of the effect of sin—is idolatry. Instead of people hearing, believing, and doing the instruction of the Creator God, people establish their own authorities and believe in following them to their own deterioration and eventual destruction.

The Fourth Commandment

Articles
Do We Need the Old Testament?
Prepare to Meet Your God! (Part One)
Unity and Division: The Blessing and the Curse (Part Four)

Bible Questions & Answers
Why Are There Different Forms of the Ten Commandme

Bible Studies
Pagan Holidays
The Seven Churches (Part Five): Pergamos

Booklets
Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part One)

Essays
Revelations at Mount Sinai
What Does It Say? (2003)

Sermons
Flee From Idolatry (Part Two): Faithfulness
The Doctrine of Israel (Part Two): The Old Covenant
Impediments to Sanctification
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Four)
Simplifying Life (Part One)
The Book of Daniel (Part Three)
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Four)

<< Exodus 20:2 Exodus 20:4 >>

A Verse and a Thought, Every Morning