The Study of Exodus with Tina Rains - Chapters 19 & 20

In Exodus 19, the Jews have arrived at Mount Sinai. The promise given in  Exodus 3:12 had been fulfilled. Moses had asked the pharaoh at least eight times to let the people go into the wilderness where they could worship the Lord. Pharaoh had refused. Now the Jews are at Mount Sinai where they will meet their God. God spoke to his people and called them to a very special place. He was calling them to live a life of:

1. Maturity- as we mature, we see more and more opportunities for responsible freedom.
2. Dignity- The Jews were a chosen people
3. Sanctity – God instructed them to change their clothes, to not go on the mountain and He spoke to them directly
4. Responsibility- God called them to take responsibility for their actions and gave them guidelines on how to.

In Exodus 19:3-13, we see the law of connection played out. If you notice before God spoke His laws to the people in Exodus 20 he reminded them of three vital truths.

1. The love he had for them
2. The victories he'd won for them
3. The future he planned for them

God spoke of blessing them, he warned them of the boundaries and taught them to survive. He then gave them the rules to keep. Remember, leaders, touch a heart before they ask for a hand.

God gives the 10 commandments:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.
2. You shall not make idols.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder. 
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house.

The first four commandments deal with our responsibility towards God. The last 6 talks about our responsibility to our fellow man. If we love God with all of our hearts, we will also love others well. If we love people, we won’t steal from them, lie to them or commit adultery. We have commandments to follow and yet each one of them is a gift to us as well. The tenth commandment is about the heart. God can and will change our sinful hearts.