Bible Survey - #12 - Exodus 19-20

Why then the Law?

Our God is a consuming fire. Israel had been delivered out of Egypt to worship the Lord. Yet as they come near to Him to hear His commandments, the experience they face is shockingly frightening. They conclude that they cannot bear to hear the voice of the Lord, and that Moses must function as their mediator, lest they die.

When God gives Israel the Ten Commandments, He teaches us about love for Him, and love for our neighbor that must flow from our sincere devotion to the One who created us all. He insists that loving Him forbids our having other Gods. We cannot make our own idols. We must tremble before the Lord's Name, and we need to fully rest in His grace and mercy for us.

We must also submit to the rulers He gives us. We must not murder. We must be true to God in our most intimate affections. We cannot take from our neighbors what is not rightly ours. We must not tell lies against others. We must be satisfied with God's provision for us.

The Lord has given us these laws to expose our sins. Yet He will not leave us in that crucified condition. His Son has taken the penalty we deserved and conquered our death through His cross and resurrection.

You are the Lord of heaven and of earth.

Your Law is holy. We must all obey.

Yet we have broken every last command.

But Jesus kept the Law and died our death.