The Ten Questions God Asked Me (Part 5 of Commandment Series)

A couple of weeks ago I was having a difficult time going to sleep.  There was a stirring within me, a tugging of sorts on my heart.  I started to think about some of the thoughts I wanted to share with you on the blog about the Commandments and found myself asking myself the question: 'how have the commandments really changed me?'  I have carried this message within me for almost six years, 'what does my life have to show for it?'  I speak of revelation and transformation, but what has it done in my heart?

I dont' know why the Lord has chosen the Ten Commandments as the backdrop for revealing Himself to me, but He has.  As I wrestled with those questions that night, the Lord met me once again.  This time, it was an incredible personal encounter.  He asked me ten questions.  Ten questions that I couldn't avoid answering.  I want to share them with you because, I believe God desires an answer from you too.

If you have followed all my posts on the Commandment series, you will see how each statement and question correlates with the flow of the Commandments and God's character traits within the Law.


The Ten Questions in the Commandments

  I have set you free and am calling you into a life of freedom.

1. I have chosen you as my very own. I have set myself apart for you. Will you choose me?

2. Are you committed to only me?

3. Will you carry my name?

4. Will you come away with me and commune with me? Will you be in relationship with me?

5. I knew you in the womb.  I gave you life through your parents. Will you honor them?

6. Will you show kindness to your brother even if he wrongs you?

7. When you leave your family and unite with your life partner, will you be faithful?

8. Will you provide for your family honestly, not taking from others to supply for your needs or the needs of those you care for?

9. Will you be truthful in all that you say with those in  your community? Can others trust you?

10.Will you be content with the resources and blessings I have given? Will you live out your days with gratefulness in your heart?

If you say 'Yes', you will be like a tree planted by the waters whose fruit never fails.  I will establish you and your children for all generations. 

As the presence of God filled my heart and His commitment to me was made more real to me, I couldn't help but cry.  God's grace toward me truly melts my heart.  I can't talk about it or write about it without crying.  It is such a humbling experience.  Looking at the questions I wrote down, I didn't want to give God a quick answer.  I wanted to think about what I was committing to.  I wanted to soak in what I felt God was trying to tell me.

In meditating on what was in front of me, I started to see a beautiful pattern emerge from the Law through these questions.  I saw a shape of an hour glass of sorts. Something like this:

Do you see how the Commandments follow a progression? A story?  God saves us from the world (redemption) and invites us into a close relationship with him (Commandments 1-4).  Commandment 5 then brings us to our own unique beginning here on earth.  It highlights the parent child relationship.  From there, we enter into a relationship with our brother (Note the parallel between the Cain and Able story and the 6th commandment), and then we branch out from our families of origin and pick our own spouse (Commandment 7).  We then move on to have children and providing for our families (Commandment 8).  Commandments 8-10 deal with how we establish ourselves within a community with honor and an esteemed status. 

When I saw the comprehensive nature of the Law, the detail, and depth, I couldn't help but worship.  I went through each question that God posed to me and I said, 'yes.'  How could I not give myself to a God who has given me so much?  

I finally was able to get back to sleep after processing all the things I just shared with you.  Before I drifted off to sleep though, I found myself whispering the question, "how can I keep my commitment to you, Lord?"  Tomorrow, I will share some of my thoughts on how we can live out our vows to God.  

Thanks for stopping in this week and reading my blog! 

Blessings!