No Graven Image “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, nor any likeness of any thing that isin heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”(Exodus 20:4). By Micah Hess The second commandment builds upon the principle in the first commandment, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” The ban on crafting graven images includes not only the things in the earth, but also extends upward to the heavens, […]
Honoring Parents “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which theLORD thy God giveth thee” (Exodus 20:12). By Todd Alexander God’s fifth commandment, to honor our father and mother, is the only commandment that is confirmed with the blessing of long life. Obedience is the proper response to God’s gift of life, and will be the strength of our families and our Ecclesias. God’s justice requires that we honor our earthly parents who have […]
Respecting Life “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). By John Bivol As we meditate on this commandment, our thoughts turn in sympathy toward millions of people that have been intentionally killed over the centuries. In the 20th century more than 110 million people have been killed in wars alone. Despite attempts to enforce policies against evil, we have recently witnessed unspeakable atrocities in Ukraine, the killing of innocent adults and children. The world has achieved a level of economic and technical development […]
“Thou shalt not Commit Adultery” (Exodus 20:14). By Matt Kerry In Deuteronomy 6:7, God instructed Israel concerning the statutes and commandments of the Law. “Thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thy house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up” (ASV). If commandment number seven was solely to avoid committing the act of adultery, it would be a short conversation. But Israel […]
Honorable Conduct and Thought “Thou shalt not steal … bear false witness … [or] covet” (Exodus 20:15-17). By Dan Wesol Commandment 8 “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15). The underlying principle of Commandment 8 is that people have a right to their possessions and their good name. No one has the right to take what does not belong to them. They should honor what belongs to others. To help the Israelites understand how important it was to respect the property of others, […]