Perfectpeace

When God took the Israelites out of Egypt, He made them His people and they chose him as their God, eventhough their choice did not hold.

He showed them his power in delivering them from their formidable enemy that enslaved them.

He wanted to show them his holiness, faithfulness, and his great provision. He wanted to shower them with his love.

He did all the miracles in Egypt and along the desert, not because they deserve it or they were good but because He is faithful (his promise to their forefathers), gracious and good.

Three months after they left Egypt, God proposed to Israel special relationship, saying

‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine,
you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Exodus 19:4-6.

Isreal responded by saying

  “We will do everything the Lord has said.”Exodus 19 :8:

With this covenant, God is to be Israel’s King and God.

And the Israelites to be his holy people and priests!

(It would be great to meditate the significance of this for the reader)

After three days of purification, God came down to mount Sina and  gave the Israelites the ten commandments.

He  reminds them that he is the their Lord God who brought them out of slavery  in Egypt,  and they should not have any other god nor make graven image nor call his name in vain.

Then He tells them to rest on the seventh day.

In God’s kingdom there is order, respect, love, joy and peace.

God wanted the Israelites to enjoy all that.

He asks them to honor their parents.

Then He says don’t murder (don’t hate according to the new testament)

The next command that follows is don’t commit adultery ( don’t look at woman with lust…physically, in print or on screen)

You shall not steal. (Don’t take something that does not belong to you) this paraphrase is my opinion.

You shall not testify again your neighbor falsely.

Don’t covet what others have.

In a theocracy, where the Lord is King, there is no need to steal, or covet.

Imagine you live in a country where the government is so rich that if you need extra money or certain utilities all you need to do is apply. There is no need to steal or covet because you will be provided.

What insult will it be if you steal or fight with another person trying to have something,  I am sure that rich government will be disappointed. Your government might say ” why don’t you just ask?”

To Israel,  God who owns the whole earth, and Heavens is saying ” I am your Kind and God”

Exodus 23:25: “Worship the Lord your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you,”

There is no need for them to steal. If they do, they are indirectly saying to God, “Whatever you have provided is not enough, let me supply my need my own way.”

When you lie, you might be trying to protect you or yours thus denying God’s protection and provisions.

This was how he promised his protection

Exodus 23:27: “I will send my terror ahead of you and throw into confusion every nation you encounter. I will make all your enemies turn their backs and run.”

When you covet, you are saying I want to have what someone else has, not being grateful for what you have been given.

When you covet, you are also forgetting the one who promised “seek and it will be given to you.”

of course, if you ask in vain, you might not get what you want.

God gave the Israelites those commandments because he can supply their need and protect them from their enemies.

All they have to do is trust their God and King for their supply, for their need, for their protection not relay on their own for the above.

If God is our God, we don’t have to cheat, steal or lie from others or governments inorder to have more.

He supplies our need!

Shalom