Did the Children of Israel Keep Their Covenant with God?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Exodus 19-20; 24; 31-34 in a lesson titled “All That the Lord Hath Spoken We Will Do.” The following information introduced the lesson. 

Although the children of Israel had murmured and wavered in the past, when Moses read the law at the foot of Mount Sinai, they made this covenant: “All that the Lord hath said will we do, and be obedient” (Exodus 24:7). God then called Moses onto the mountain, telling him to build a tabernacle so “that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).

But while Moses was at the top of the mountain learning how the Israelites could have God’s presence among them, the Israelites were at the bottom of the mountain making a golden idol to worship instead. Soon after promising to “have no other gods,” they “turned aside quickly” from their promise (Exodus 20:3; 32:8; see also Exodus 24:3). It was a surprising turn, but we know from experience that faith and commitment can sometimes be overcome by impatience, fear, or doubt. As we seek the Lord’s presence in our lives, it is encouraging to know the Lord did not give up on ancient Israel and He will not give up on us and the people we love—for He is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6).

Some of the principles taught in this scripture block are: (1) The Lord’s covenant people are a treasure to Him (Exodus 19:3-6); (2) Sacred experiences require preparation (Exodus 19:10-11, 17); (3) Obedience to God’s commandments brings blessings (Exodus 20:1-17); (4) Making covenants shows my willingness to obey God’s law (Exodus 24:1-11); (5) Sin is turning away from God; repentance is turning toward Him and away from evil (Exodus 32-34); (6) The Sabbath is a sign (Exodus 31:13-16), and (7) What was the difference between the two sets of stone tables Moses made? (Exodus 34:1-4). All the principles deserve some discussion, but this essay will discuss only principle #3 about obedience to commandments brings blessings.

While the Israelites were gathered at the base of Mount Sinai, they heard the voice of God give the Ten Commandments (see Deuteronomy 4:12-13). We know that these are not God’s only commandments because there are many other commandments in the scriptures. However, this discussion will concentrate only upon the Ten Commandments, which are as follows.

1 And God spake all these words, saying,

2 I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

6 And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

7 Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

10 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:

11 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.

12 ¶ Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.

13 Thou shalt not kill.

14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.

15 Thou shalt not steal.

16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

17 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. (Emphasis added.)

The first observation is about a division among the Ten Commandments. The first four commandments have to do with our relationship with God. The last six commandments have to do with our relationships with other people. The Ten Commandments are an enlargement on the two great commandments taught in Matthew 22:36-40.

36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 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.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Emphasis added.)

If you choose to learn more about the Ten Commandments and how they can bless your life, I suggest that you study them. You might make a simple table as you ponder the significance of the Ten Commandments in your life.

Commandment	In other words, what does God want me to do	Blessings that come from living this commandment

 You could consider the following questions as you study:

·       How does keeping these ten commandments help you keep the two great commandments that Jesus gave in Matthew 22:34-40?

·       What are things that you may be tempted to put before God? What blessings have you seen from putting God first?

·       How would you respond to someone who says the Ten Commandments were given a long time ago and do not apply today? What examples from your life would you share as part of your response?

·       How has the Lord fulfilled the promise in Exodus 20:6 in your life?