The Ten Character Traits Found in the Commandments (Part 3 of Commandment Series)

{This is post #3 in the series on Ten Commandments. If you haven't read the previous post, be sure to check it out before jumping into this one.  Yesterday's post sets the foundation for understanding how the Ten Commandments are a revelation of God's character.}

The Commandments, at first glance, seem fairly straightforward.  "Thou shalt not... (fill in the blank with what you should not do)".  It's easy to assume there is nothing more than a set of rules. When I first was studying the significance of the Law, I asked myself the question: "Why shouldn't I do these things?"  The answer that came to me was, 'Because of who I AM.  As my child you have no need to steal, lie, or covet because of who I AM to you.'  At first I didn't completely understand what this meant.  It wasn't until I studied further that this started to make more sense to me.  

A breakthrough came when I stumbled upon (thanks to my preacher man husband) another way the commandments can read in the original Hebrew.  In simple terms, the "not's" of the commandments are in essence "eternal no's". Another way of saying "Thou shalt not..." is "You will never..."

When I plugged in 'You will never...' to each of the commandments and then asked the question why? The character traits of God poured out freely and clearly.  Here's what I found: 

The Ten Commandments

You will never have other god because  I AM Holy 

(God is set apart from other gods.  There is none like Him. 

This commandment captures the unique nature of God. )

You will never make for yourself a graven image because I AM Jealous

(God is jealous for his people. He is committed to us. 

 His presence will always receive and partake of our worship to Him. 

This commandment reminds us of the exclusive

 relationship between worshipers and their God)

You will never take my name in vain because I AM Sovereign 

(God's name has authority to make things happen.  

The literal meaning of the word 'take' is 'to carry/to bear'. 

 Carrying the name of God means that we live a life of power and confidence

 in the authority of this name. Bearing the name of the Lord in vain means

 that we do not trust God to act on our behalf with power and authority.

Consequently, we end up living lives with little fruit. )

Remember the Sabbath Day because I AM Creator

(This commandment gives us the reason for remembering the Sabbath day.  We are to remember because God created the world.  In Deuteronomy's account of the commandments, the reason for remembering the Sabbath is because God brought freedom from slavery.  In both accounts (creation and deliverance) the message is the same: God creates rest and freedom and invites us to partake of both. If we live in our own self-sufficiency without God's creative power in our lives, we can not truly keep a Sabbath unto the Lord.)

  

Honor your father and your mother because I AM Life

(God gave us life through our parents.  He knew us from the womb.  

Our days were set before Him even before we took our first breath.  

When we honor our parents, the Giver of Life promises to extend our days.  )

You will never kill because I AM your Judge

(When someone wrongs us, it is not our job to seek vindication for ourselves.  

Jesus takes this commandment further and extends it to our feelings toward our brother. 

 In our broken relationships with others, God stands as the judge.)

You will never commit adultery because I AM your Faithful Friend

(God can supply for every single one of our needs.  

In the areas where our  marriages lack, God can fill the gap.  

He is faithful and will never leave our side.)

You will never steal because I AM your Provider

(As God's people we never have to resort to stealing because 

God is our ultimate provider.  The Bible tells us that our heavenly Father 

will supply our food, clothing, and shelter.)

You will never lie because I AM your Protector

(Lying is a protection mechanism we use to protect ourselves from unwanted consequences. 

This commandment reminds us that God's truth is our shield and protection.)

You will never covet because I AM your Blessing Giver

(God is the giver of all good things.  He chooses how He will bless, when He will bless, 

and who He will bless. This commandment reminds us 
that we must trust God as the giver of blessing and 
not resent our neighbor for what God has chosen to give to them.)

At core of the commandments is trust.  Will we trust God to be the 'I AM' in every aspect of our lives?  Or will we choose to do things for ourselves using our strength and understanding?  The Law is much more than a set of rules.  There is a God at the heart of it that is calling us to trust Him to be everything for us.

This understanding of the commandments has been so helpful to me.  Whenever I find myself looking at someones life and wishing I had it all together like them, I know I'm coveting their blessings.  My heart's prayer is to ask the Lord to help me trust Him as my Blessing Giver.  I don't get down on myself for having broken a commandment.  I simply repent and meditate on who God wants to be for me and strive by His grace to trust Him more in this area of my life.  This perspective has truly been life changing for me.  

There is so much to unpack but I have to settle on giving you an overview for now.  If you are interested in the Scripture texts that discuss each of God's character traits, email me and I will send them your way.  Also, if you have questions, let me know!

My next post will talk about the Ten Commandments purpose/place in the New Testament.  When Jesus died on the cross, did the Law change?  I know this is a hot button for many Christians and I don't claim to have all the answers.  What I do have is my experience and how I have come to understand the spirit of the Law.  Stay with me as we continue this conversation on the Ten Commandments!