Today's Reading:
Exedus 20:2
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.”
(v. 2 NKJV)
This passage contains the Ten Commandment or The Decalogue, which is the basic principles of Yahweh’s covenant with Israel (Ex.20:23-23:19). Although Jesus Christ gave the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:35 - 40, it is all encompassing. The reasons for its obedience are clearly tied to who God is, and what He does (vv.2, 5-7, and 11-12). The Commandments dealt directly with individuals; with verse 2 to 11 focusing on individual’s relationship with God while verse 12 to 17 spelt out how to deal with each other. In it, God has reflected the structure of contemporary royal treaties or the suzerain –vassal of the ancient Near East treaty, in which it was based on:
i) a preamble in which God identified himself - “I am the Lord your God”,
ii) a historical introduction, in which He laid out His previous gracious deeds towards His people - “who brought you out...”,
iii) before He sets the Ten covenant Commandments to be obeyed. This shows the Lord as formally being acknowledged as Israel’s King and that Israel is His subject people, and this includes all believers that have been redeemed by the precious blood of Jesus.
In essence, it is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob that has offered Israel this special relationship. He has revealed his power and his care directly to his people. This revelation further talked about his gracious act of rescue, on their behalf, demonstrating that He is the only true God. As God’s subject and covenanted people, Israel together all the redeemed are expected to render complete submission, allegiance and obedience to God out of reverence for his sovereignty, gratitude for his mercies, and trust in his continuing care (v. 2).
Also, God is passionately opposed to our prostituting ourselves with other false and lesser gods “For I am a jealous God....” (vv. 4-5). Although God is without passion, he has condescend himself to call himself a jealous God in order to show us the depth of his love towards man. Therefore we should love God with much intensity, for this is very pleasing unto Him. “Who will not tolerate your affection for any other god ....... in the third and fourth generations ..... For a thousand generations.” It is also important to note here that God does not punish the children for the sins of their fathers (Deut. 24:16; Ezek. 18:1-4; 19-32). Everyone, father or son is accountable for his sin. One would then wonder why this verse - “..... you shall not bow down to them ... to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me” (Deut. 5:9). This verse may not be meant to be applied universally; it may have been used to address those who came out of Egypt, because after seeing the Lord’s signs and wonders, they continued to commit worse sins than their forefathers who did not witness such wonders.
Rather the children would feel the impact of their fathers breaching the commandment of God for generations as a natural consequence of its disobedience and its hatred of God. There is likelihood that children reared in that environment may imbibe and then practice the same idolatry and this will result to them also expressing their hateful disobedience to God. Hence the sin would affect future generations of descendants. But God is restricting, limiting the effect of those sins to three to four generations; while graciously extending the effects of obedience to a thousand generations. And so today, we have a choice which is connected to our emotions – either to hate by disobeying or to love God by obeying his commandments. The difference in consequence serves as both a warning and encouragement. The effect of a descendent generation will implant deep wickedness which will take several generations to reverse, except by the mercy of God’s revival and transformation.
God is so passionate about our obedience. To you reading this, what is your disposition towards
obedience to the commandments of God. Do you pick the ones convenient to you to obey? Or
do you follow the world’s trend in obeying the commandments? A food for thought!
OLUFUNMILAYO TITILOLA ADEKUSIBE
Prayer:
Father forgive me in anyway i have missed the path of righteousness, in Jesus name.
O God, create in me a pure heart and renew a right, humble and teachable spirit within me, in Jesus name.
My Father, be a shield for me in every situation of life, in Jesus name.
Father, let your mighty power level every evil mountain confronting your Church and revive your work, in Jesus name.
Father, pull down the stronghold of wickedness in our nation and raise a formidable army of the Lord to stand in the gap for her, in Jesus name.
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