Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 09:28:53 +0100
Reply-To: t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl
Sender: Christian explanation of the Scriptures to Israel
From: Teus Benschop
Subject: Catechism, 5
Q. What is the preface to the ten commandments?
A: The preface to the ten commandments is in these words, "I am the
Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of bondage."
This preface is written in Exod.20:2. The voice of God sounded from the
mountain, after there had happened terrible things on Sinai. "And it came
to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and
lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the
trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp
trembled." (Exod.19:16) So terrible is it when you see God in His
righteousness. Who transgresses this holy law, will meet this God. The
law is so holy, that it, without payment, will bring the transgressor to
death. A holy law, and transgressing people cannot go together.
Before God gave His commandments, He first gave a preface. "I am the
Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of
the house of bondage".
Q. What doth the preface to the ten commandments teach us?
A. The preface to the ten commandments teacheth us, That because God
is the Lord, and our God, and Redeemer, therefore we are bound to keep
all his commandments.
The preface of the ten commandments consists of several parts.
1. "I am the Lord" God is the LORD, so He has the right to give
commandments. The Lord reigns, and we, the people have to obey Him. He
created us, and is now our LORD. Therefore, because He is our Lord, we
must behave as His servants. Servants obey their master, and so we ought
to obey God. Servants, when doing something for their master, when they
do their duty, do no more then may be expected from them. Also we, when
we do some commandment, we do no more then we ought to do. Do not think,
when you obey God, that you oblige Him to give you some reward. For you
do no more then your duty. "When ye shall have done all those things
which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done
that which was our duty to do." (Luke 17:10) Because of the same reason,
Eliphaz the Temanite said to Job: "Is it any pleasure to the Almighty,
that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways
perfect?" (Job 22:3)
2. "I am thy God". I am not only a general Lord, but I am special your
God. I am your Lord and your God. The more does that oblige you to obey
My commandments. I am your God, and you are My people.
3. I am thy God, "which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out
of the house of bondage." This benefit must bring you to obedience. God
has brought them out of the house of slavery. They are saved from the
Egyptians, so they have to behave themselves thankful to God. The Lord
has brought them up, into Canaan, and therefore they have to obey Him.
God was the First. He saved the people from the bondage. Therefore they
have to obey Him. Not to earn something, but in thankfulness.
"I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage." (Exod.20:2) Therefore, there are three
reasons why we have to keep His commandments.
1. He is the Lord.
2. He is our God,
3. He is our Redeemer.
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Chr-Exp, a Christian explanation of the Tanach and the New Testament
Editor: Teus Benschop - t.benschop@pobox.ruu.nl
No copyrights on this publication
Institution Practical Bible-education, the Netherlands
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file: /pub./resources/text/ipb-e/cate: cat-005.txt
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