Scripture Reading: Exodus 20:1, 2
Key Verse: “I am the LORD your God...” (Exodus 20:2).
Meditation: The Israelis are now safely out of Egypt. After having no freedom for *400 years and then suddenly to be without regimentation would be a very scary experience. God meets His people at this very important juncture in their journey to becoming His chosen nation.
God certainly realized that Israel’s destiny would require definitive laws and spiritual guidelines. But God did not suddenly thrust Himself on them with His divine demands. Before making a single command, He introduces Himself in terms of His prior relationship with them. He begins His divine disclosure by giving them His title, I AM. He asks Israel to remember and acknowledge Him as their Creator-God, the Self-sufficient One. In the words, YOUR GOD, He reminds them of His identification with Israel and His desire to have an on-going relationship with them. Since He uses the singular pronoun, you, He expresses His intense desire for a personal interaction with each one.
Israel must never forget that God delivered them not only from the Egyptians, but also from their bondage. They must also remember God accomplished their deliverance by ten intentional interventions. They were free to be God’s people. The Ten Commandments were intended lint to represent a restrictive code of behavior, but to define the limits of negaviitive behavior harmful to themselves and to each other.
Thought for the Day: God’s demands on His people are always preceded by His covenant promises.
*We do not know when the Pharaohs had forgotten Joseph's act in redeeming the Egyptian people. We know they were in Egypt for around 400 years.
Key Verse: “I am the LORD your God...” (Exodus 20:2).
Meditation: The Israelis are now safely out of Egypt. After having no freedom for *400 years and then suddenly to be without regimentation would be a very scary experience. God meets His people at this very important juncture in their journey to becoming His chosen nation.
God certainly realized that Israel’s destiny would require definitive laws and spiritual guidelines. But God did not suddenly thrust Himself on them with His divine demands. Before making a single command, He introduces Himself in terms of His prior relationship with them. He begins His divine disclosure by giving them His title, I AM. He asks Israel to remember and acknowledge Him as their Creator-God, the Self-sufficient One. In the words, YOUR GOD, He reminds them of His identification with Israel and His desire to have an on-going relationship with them. Since He uses the singular pronoun, you, He expresses His intense desire for a personal interaction with each one.
Israel must never forget that God delivered them not only from the Egyptians, but also from their bondage. They must also remember God accomplished their deliverance by ten intentional interventions. They were free to be God’s people. The Ten Commandments were intended lint to represent a restrictive code of behavior, but to define the limits of negaviitive behavior harmful to themselves and to each other.
Thought for the Day: God’s demands on His people are always preceded by His covenant promises.
*We do not know when the Pharaohs had forgotten Joseph's act in redeeming the Egyptian people. We know they were in Egypt for around 400 years.
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