The Ten Commandments Reviewed Deuteronomy 5:1-27

Introduction Every Christian knows the story of the Ten Commandments and should know all of them by rote. However, there are times when a refresher course is needed. This lesson opens at the Jordan River. The children of Israel are at the end of their forty years in the wilderness. The current generation of Israelites were just children when Israel was delivered from Egypt. During the forty years in the wilderness the covenant that the Israelites made with God in Exodus had been forgotten by most. Despite all the grace and mercy God had shown the people of Israel, they were quick to forget when times got rough. At this point, Moses is giving a refresher course in the law and covenant to the new generation of Israelites so that they will be ready to cross into the Promised Land. Every Christian knows the story of the Ten Commandments and should know all of them by rote. However, there are times when a refresher course is needed. This lesson opens at the Jordan River. The children of Israel are at the end of their forty years in the wilderness. The current generation of Israelites were just children when Israel was delivered from Egypt. During the forty years in the wilderness the covenant that the Israelites made with God in Exodus had been forgotten by most. Despite all the grace and mercy God had shown the people of Israel, they were quick to forget when times got rough. At this point, Moses is giving a refresher course in the law and covenant to the new generation of Israelites so that they will be ready to cross into the Promised Land.

The Covenant at Mount Horeb The original covenant that was made in the book of Exodus established the Israelites role as the people of God and gave the terms of that relationship. The original covenant that was made in the book of Exodus established the Israelites role as the people of God and gave the terms of that relationship. Moses is reiterating the covenant to give the new generation assurance that God will be with them as He was with their ancestors, despite the disobedience of their ancestors. Moses knew that covenant was all that stood between life and death for the nation of Israel. He had to reaffirm it for the new generation to ensure that the nation of Israel would survive. Moses is reiterating the covenant to give the new generation assurance that God will be with them as He was with their ancestors, despite the disobedience of their ancestors. Moses knew that covenant was all that stood between life and death for the nation of Israel. He had to reaffirm it for the new generation to ensure that the nation of Israel would survive.

The Ten Commandments - Again Moses gave the Ten Commandments to the new generation just as he had given them to their ancestors in the time of the book of Exodus (Exodus 20) Moses gave the Ten Commandments to the new generation just as he had given them to their ancestors in the time of the book of Exodus (Exodus 20) Here is a breakdown of the commandments: Here is a breakdown of the commandments: The first four commandments concern the relationship between God and the people The first four commandments concern the relationship between God and the people The fourth commandment is delivered a little differently than it was originally (look at Exodus and Deuteronomy side by side) In this version the Israelites are commanded to use the Sabbath as a time to remember and reflect on how God delivered them The fourth commandment is delivered a little differently than it was originally (look at Exodus and Deuteronomy side by side) In this version the Israelites are commanded to use the Sabbath as a time to remember and reflect on how God delivered them The last six commandments governed the behavior of the Israelites in their community The last six commandments governed the behavior of the Israelites in their community

Life Application Rules are an important part of every community. Without them those who are part of the community would not be able to have any positive interaction with one another and chaos would reign Rules are an important part of every community. Without them those who are part of the community would not be able to have any positive interaction with one another and chaos would reign The Ten Commandments are still relevant today. They are the basic rules that all Christians should live by. They teach us how our relationships with God, our families, and our community should be. The Ten Commandments are still relevant today. They are the basic rules that all Christians should live by. They teach us how our relationships with God, our families, and our community should be.

Questions for Discussion and Meditation Why are God’s rules so important? Why should we accept them? Why are God’s rules so important? Why should we accept them? How do the Ten Commandments fit into today’s Christian community? How do the Ten Commandments fit into today’s Christian community? Why is it important for parents teach their children the Ten Commandments? Why is it important for parents teach their children the Ten Commandments?