Scripture: Exodus 20–23; Deuteronomy 6:1–9
Key Scripture: Exodus 20:1–17; 22:21–27; Deuteronomy 6:4–9
Key Idea: God’s law (or teaching) provides instruction on how to honor God and others, especially through social justice. This form of love fits with Jesus’ teaching, as well, and it is part of our holy calling.
PW Marketing Associate Carissa Herold reflects on the 10 in the 10 Commandments.
I openly admit that the topic of this lesson—the Ten Commandments—has stirred in me a bit (okay, a lot!) of anxiety, at least in terms of writing this blog. Consider this: The very foundation of our personal, corporate and spiritual lives is built upon these 10 laws (or “teachings” as suggested by Janice Catron). What could I possibly add of worth to the deep sea of commentary that has been written over generations on this topic?
Since I am at a temporary loss, I will share something very interesting! Many years ago, I attended an ecumenical service led by a rabbi. He introduced us to the Shema, the words from Deuteronomy 6:4: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.” The rabbi told us that these words from scripture are printed in permanent ink on a small piece of parchment, called a klaf, which is often placed in a small case called a mezuzah. The mezuzah is then affixed to the exterior doorframes of Jewish homes; some choose to also affix the mezuzah to interior doors as well. Why? Because this first commandment is, Janice Catron affirms, the “foundation for all others” (An Abiding Hope, p. 64) and is never to be forgotten. “The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.”
Foundational, indeed! “The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.” How many of us couldn’t use our own reminder in a world where distraction is ever present? “The LORD is our God, the LORD alone.” Affixing this reminder, at the very least in our hearts, will keep us ever mindful of our true foundation as we come and go.
The next three commandments are ways we are to honor God, as articulated by God. These are no small suggestions—these are commandments/teachings! “First, make no idols (20:4), whether of God or another deity. Next, do not misuse the divine name by saying it to support a false oath or evil purpose (20:7). Finally, remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (20:8).”
Janice continues, “The last commandments focus on relationships between people, yet are still rooted in God’s relationship with the community of faith. How we treat one another is a direct reflection on how God has treated us.” (An Abiding Hope, p. 64) Isn’t that amazing? God calls us to be in relationship with God and with one another and has given us some simple (to learn, perhaps not to live out) “top 10” teachings to help us live our best, most faithful lives!
So as I have been thinking about the Ten Commandments, why 10? Yes, there are oodles of other teachings (for an entertaining read, consider The Year of Living Biblically: One Man’s Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible by A.J. Jacobs) but there are only 10 of the, well, Ten Commandments. Surely our broken world requires many more! (In fact, I’ve discovered that some people add a few extra commandments for a bit of levity, always in the formal King James’ “style”: “Thou shalt not vote for so and so”; “Thou shalt not wear white socks with black dress shoes”; “Thou shalt always remember that the cat rules the house.”) Perhaps, just like telephone numbers and computer passwords, we humans tend to share a common comfort zone in skillfully remembering important things. And truly what is more important to remember, particularly as we make our way through our often complicated (messy?) lives, than those commandments that please God and make our lives, individually and collectively, healthier and life-affirming?
So my ponderings on “why 10?” hit gold (not the golden calf kind, just an expression, I promise)! In J. Gerald Janzen’s commentary on Exodus, he shares why some believe that God gave Israel 10 commandments: a commandment for each finger—a very helpful way to learn and remember! “Why 10? Is it that one learns to recite them on one’s 10 fingers and that the association of the 10 in this way with one’s hands is a reminder that one’s hands, as the instruments of one’s actions, are to be guided by God’s claim on us? (Idols, too, are called ‘the work of human hands’ (Deut. 4:28; Psalm 115:4; Isa. 2:8; Hos. 14:3]). Such an explanation … must remain speculative, but as a practical device for learning and remembering, it would fit with the direction to bind the Shema on one’s hand, fix it as an emblem on one’s forehead, and write it on one’s doorpost and gate (Deut. 6:8-9). (J. Gerald Janzen, Exodus: Westminster Bible Commentary, p. 141)
As we proceed to the next lesson, let’s consider how radically different our world would be if we individually and collectively tried to better live into God’s teachings. How would the world’s people live if murder in any of its forms was a rare thing? If everyone had access to God’s intended abundance so few were compelled to steal or covet? Janice writes, “Clearly God cares about how human beings treat one another on earth, and the divine heart opposes oppression, exploitation, and injustice.” And what is our role, as people of faith, delivered out of bondage, saved through grace, in this imperfect world? “Just as clearly, we see that God calls (even expects) us to work for justice and wholeness on behalf of others. We are God’s advocates and instruments, guided by love to be actively involved whenever and wherever we are needed, even if the cause seems hopeless.” (p. 65) How would our lives change if we truly understood and trusted that the foundation of all is the understanding that “The LORD is our God, the LORD alone,” and that our God seeks our active participation in our relationship with God and with one another?
—Until next time, Carissa
P.S. My friend (and conveniently, Horizons Bible study editor!) Betsy Ensign-George gives a big thumbs up for the books, What I Wish My Christian Friends Knew About Judaism, by Robert Schoen, and The Shema in the Mezuzah, by Rabbi Sandy Eisenberg Sasso.
