But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that [is] within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:3-11
Q12 How did Jesus summarise these first four commandments to reveal the motive for keeping them?
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: Deuteronomy 6:5,6
Q13 How did later Jesus confirm this summary in His teaching to the lawyer?
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22:37,38.
NOTE: The lawyers of old used to try to prioritise the commandments and add many of their own. The first four of the ten commandments relate to how we honour God. Jesus said this was the greatest commandment, and we would keep it because we have love in our hearts towards God.
Q14 What are the last six of the Ten Commandments?
- Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
- Thou shalt not kill.
- Thou shalt not commit adultery.
- Thou shalt not steal.
- Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
- Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's. Exodus 20:12-17.
Q15 How did Jesus the lawgiver summarise these?
Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Leviticus 19:18
NOTE: The last six commandments show how we are to relate to those around us.
Q16 With which words did Jesus confirm this when He was teaching on earth?
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22:36-40
NOTE: In the New Testament it could appear that Jesus is giving only two commandments to supersede the Ten - to love God and those around us. But Paul explains that obedience to all God’s commandments is motivated and carried out by love. ‘Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other |
