May 17, 2026

God loved Israel. They were his treasured possession! So, when he heard their cry in Egypt, he saved them from slavery. He saved them because he wanted them to know him and love him and show his goodness to the world. But how could sinful people know how to do that? That’s where the Ten Commandments come in. God gives Israel ten rules to live by. Here’s what happened. God called Moses and told him to climb a mountain called Sinai. Then God told Moses to tell the people to get ready because he was going to “come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people” (Ex. 19:11). When God arrived, there was thunder! Lightning! A loud trumpet blast! A thick cloud covered the top of the mountain. “Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire” (19:18). The people gathered at the foot of the mountain. Everyone trembled before their holy God. Even the mountain trembled. God is so powerful! Powerful and good. So good. And why did he, this good God, come down? To give his people ten commands. Some people don’t like commands. But God’s commands aren’t just hard rules to make our lives even harder. No! These good rules show us what God is like and how to live so we are truly happy. The first four focus on loving God above anyone or anything else—with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength (20:3–11). The last six focus on loving others as much as we love ourselves (20:12–17).
1. One God. “You shall have no other gods before me.”
2. No idols. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image.”
3. Watch your mouth. “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God
in vain.”
4. Take a rest. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”

5. Honor your parents. “Honor your father and your mother.”
6. Don’t murder. “You shall not murder.”
7. Don’t cheat on your husband or wife. “You shall not commit adultery.”
8. Don’t steal. “You shall not steal.”
9. Don’t lie. “You shall not bear false witness.”
10. Don’t dream about other people’s stuff. “You shall not covet.”

What good rules that free us to serve our good God.