Apply Ten Commandments

The words that are so familiar in what is called "The Ten Commandments" deserve deeper consideration. While the Ten Commandments have a definite core meaning, a discussion such as follows helps you apply them with some of their implications.

Dabar The list of the ten is introduced by these words in Exodus 20:1 "And God spake all these words, saying". In that verse, the Hebrew for word is dâbâr (Strongs #H1697). This is translated into English in an astounding variety of ways, but some of them - in descending order - are these: word or words, over 825 times; thing or things, more than 130 instances; acts, 52; matter, 45; command or commandment or plurals of either; 16 instances.

The context of Exodus 20:2 - 17 definitely includes command phrases, but within that range of verses, seven phrases are not commands. These are: verses 2, 5b, 6, 7b, 10, 11, and 12b. God spake words, and in reality, more than 17 words are declared. All but the first of these words are connected to one of the commandments.

That first word is Exodus 20:2 "I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage." This word has prominence. It declares the position of the Father in heaven is supreme. All of His law are built upon this foundation. An individual's agreement with this word becomes his assent that he fears the Almighty, by which means he may begin his journey of getting wisdom.

We find another copy of the Ten Commandments in Deut. 5:6 - 21. Again, it is comprised of words (phrases), of which are commands. It is essentially the same, except one of the words spoken together with the sabbath command is different, since it describes the exodus from Egypt, rather than the creation account described in Exodus 20. This difference is discussed below.

Exodus 20:3 is the first command, and it is the second of the 17 words. Exodus 15:11 further explains this command, as it says: "Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Next, consider the words Jesus quoted from Deut. 6:5 "And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." Your love toward God is your choice. His law of liberty begins its reign within you when you assent to this first commandment. Many of the children of Israel complained against God after He had brought them through the Red Sea. These had not chosen to love Him. His first word is a declaration of His grace, but His second word is a commandment to begin in faith to walk with Him. You can be shown grace while remaining unrepentant, but you should wonder when that grace will be halted. Some of the complaining ones experienced the end of grace when the earth swallowed them

This is a work in progress. To be continued.

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It is derived from H1696; a word; by implication a matter (as spoken of) of thing; adverbially a cause: - act, advice, affair, answer, X any such (thing), + because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X commune (-ication), + concern [-ing], + confer, counsel, + dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, + eloquent, errand, [evil favoured-] ness, + glory, + harm, hurt, + iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter, message, [no] thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, + please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some [uncleanness], somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that, X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings, what [-soever], + wherewith, which, word, work. The Hebrew letters are Daleth, Beth, Resh, and those letters convey the idea of the pathway of charity within the boundaries of the highest (the Sovereign). While it is true this idea can describe a commandment, it may also apply to a cause, a case or a chronicled report.