Scripture Reading: Exodus 20 | Sabbath: September 7, 2024
Memory Verse: Deuteronomy 4:13
Deuteronomy 4:13 And he declared unto you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, even ten commandments; and he wrote them upon two tables of stone.
Weekly Proverb: Proverbs 15:1
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
Introduction: Let us not forget to study the cornerstone of our belief. We should always keep these commandments in mind. Here are a few thought-provoking questions about the Ten Commandments.
Definition: Perjury is to lie under oath.

1. Moloch is an idol god; Dagon, Baal, and Ashtaroth also. What about modern idols? Mary? The concept of a trinity? Exodus 20:3.
Exodus 20:3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Do idols have to be statues of man-gods, woman-gods, or animal-gods? They do exist. But, is a wooden cross on a building an idol? Is a golden crucifix hanging from the neck an idol? v 4, 5.
Exodus 20:4 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.
Exodus 20:5 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;
3. How do we honor a man that gives us a job? How do we honor a judge; the man that can judge our crimes, sentence us to prison, pardon,execute? More importantly, how do we honor God? v 7.
Exodus 20:7 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.
Note: It is easy to remember and apply the commandment, “thou shalt not kill.” But many forget, or remember and do not apply this commandment. Any casual reference to God is taking his name in vain.
4. The whole world has forgotten the Sabbath Day. Many are taught to forget the Sabbath Day. How can this be? v 8-11.
Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Exodus 20:9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:
Exodus 20:10 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:
Exodus 20:11 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.
5. Thug-boys live shorter lives. Alcoholic girls waste many drunken years. Long life and prosperity are taught by who? v 12.
Exodus 20:12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
Note: The parent is a teacher. The child is a student. The home is a classroom. The first lesson is - honor the parents, honor the teacher.
6. Murder is an abominable crime in every culture. Everyone must respect every other life. Does the Almighty agree? v 13.
Exodus 20:13 Thou shalt not kill.
7. In Genesis, the first man and the first woman were ordained by their Creator to live in a life-long covenant-relationship. The prohibition of adultery is included in the Ten Commandments. Does this have anything to do with how important it is? v 14.
Exodus 20:14 Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Possessions are the tools we need to navigate this temporal life. Should we respect the possessions of others? v 15.
Exodus 20:15 Thou shalt not steal.
9. Gossip can destroy relationships. Perjury can kill the innocent. Words have power to manipulate and control. Can you give a very broad interpretation of this verse? v 16.
Exodus 20:16 Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. It is human nature to need, to want, and to lust after. Explain the limitations and controls that the Law-giver has ordained. v 17.
Exodus 20:17 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.
Conclusion: We should never forget these commandments. We know that there are many references to the Ten Commandments throughout the Bible; so we should be reminded of them as we study. And of course, let’s not forget the New Testament teachings of Jesus on these commandments. Matthew 22:34-40