The people of Israel had journeyed out into the wilderness to meet with their God. As they encamped about Mount Sinai, the Lord appeared on the mountain in thunder and lightning, and then, as the people stood before the mountain, the Lord proclaimed the ten commandments. The words were wonderful, but at the sound of God's voice, the people were filled with fear.

It is quite possible that the actual words spoken by God consisted of only the opening phrase of each of the commandments. The expanded details may well be the inspired commentary of Moses.

The "Ten Words" are in the form of a covenant agreement (a legal document, common in the ancient Near East, establishing an agreement between two parties, with each party holding a copy - here God and his people. Is this why Moses has two tablets?). In the preamble, God declares that he is Israel's God, the one who has saved them and brought them to himself. As promised, God is now present with his people and will bless them. The agreement then outlines the responsibilities of covenant compliance with a set of guidelines for living. The Ten Words describe the substance of a life of faith lived under God's covenant mercy. The attached blessings and cursings serve to remind Israel of their responsibilities. As Moses put it, "keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the Lord gives you for all time", Deut.4:40. Where there is a failure to comply, the Ten Words carry a curse. The sacrificial system, ultimately unable to lift the curse, points to the provision of a perfect sacrifice. Only in Christ is Israel and the stranger within its gates, freed from the curse of the law and this only for those who, in faith, rest on the mercy of God.

It is important to remember that the Ten Words are not regulations for entry into the kingdom, they are not rules for salvation. For those, with a faith like Abraham, salvation is already guaranteed. Neither are the Ten Words rules for staying in the kingdom, rules for keeping saved, or even rules for improving our standing in God's kingdom. The Ten Words are guidelines for a life of faith, they give direction in the Christian life. Yet, above all, the Ten Words remind us that apart from the perfect standing before God that is ours in Christ, we would stand eternally lost under their curse.

1. The Lord is unique. Our service to him must be undivided.

2. The Lord is Spirit. He must be worshiped within the framework of his revealed knowledge, ie. as a spiritual being. Any attempt at representation produces only devotion of the thing rather than that which it represents. The reference to the sins of the fathers being visited upon the sons, does not mean that God punishes the sons for their fathers' sins, rather that the evil of parent's rubs off onto their kids, ie. the children pick up on their parent's behavior and continue it, and continue to receive the trouble that goes with it.

3. The sanctity of God's name. The ancient view was that a person's name expressed their very nature and being. So, to treat God's name with disrespect was to treat God himself with disrespect. To use it in false, flippant and mischievous oaths, is to affront the very person of God. The command is probably not directed against making oaths as such.

4. The Sabbath. Remembering, or keeping the Sabbath, involves using the seventh day (Saturday) as a day focused on God.

5. The honouring of parents. This command calls for respect and care toward parents. Note the promise emphasized in the commandment. The point is that the right and proper ordering of the family will produce a positive foundation for the life of the individual, the family and the Nation. This is the thrust of all the commands. They are not just given to take away people's fun, rather they are given to God's people to enable them to enjoy the benefits of the creation, ie. they are a channel of practical blessing, providing a manual for life.

6. The sanctity of human life. Murder is the issue here, not manslaughter, capital punishment, or war.

7. The sanctity of marriage. Here the stress is on the bond of family life. Unity between a husband and wife is not to be interfered with. This is a fundamental law for a positive and healthy society.

8. The sanctity of property. The right of ownership of property is a God given right, and its removal by deceit, or strength, is condemned.

9. The sanctity of a person's good name. The undermining of a person's good character, whether by lying, or whatever, is also condemned.

10 Against covetousness. It is not only actions that are destructive, but thoughts as well. It is the evil intention which actually prompts the evil act. Covetousness is that which lies behind the preceding four commandments.

1. Does the first commandment have something to say about the way we use our resources of time, talent and tinkle? Illustrate.

2. Discuss the use of images in Christian worship. Is the cross a valid focus for worship?

3. Does the practice of giving an oath on the Bible in the name of God, break the third commandment? Support your point of view.

4. On what grounds do we fail to keep Saturday as a day of rest?

5. After we are married, must we always "honour" our parents? What does this mean in practice?

6. What does the sixth commandment have to say about manslaughter, capital punishment and war?

7. Can you see any links between infidelity and societal breakdown?

8. Discuss how socialist philosophy, and specifically taxation, might contravene the eighth commandment.

9. Discuss some of the ways we malign the good character of others - particularly within the Christian fellowship.