The Ten Commandments: God's Holiness Revealed

READ: EXODUS 20:1-2; DEUTERONOMY 5:1-6; ROMANS 6:22-23

I always find it interesting that the Ten Commandments don’t start with “You shall not.” They start with “I am the Lord your God” (Exodus 20:2; Deuteronomy 5:6). But why is that important?

The word translated "LORD" is God’s name, Yahweh, which means “I AM.” This name shows God is eternal, all-powerful, and the ultimate reality—which makes the next two words even more incredible: “your God." This all-powerful God is personal and has chosen to dwell with His people.

Not only has God chosen His people: the second part of the opening to the Ten Commandments says God has rescued His people from “Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” God is a God who rescues His people. He rescued the Israelites from literal slavery in Egypt, and He saves us from slavery to sin and death through Jesus.

In these opening words, God makes it abundantly clear He is ruling over His people and He is good (unlike their previous ruler, Pharaoh). He loves His people so much, He rescues them time and time again, finally culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus to permanently unite His people to Himself, a unity that will be fully realized when Jesus returns to make all things new (Revelation 21:1-5).

The Ten Commandments reveal not only that God is holy but that He is the only One who can make His people holy. We are sinners unable to meet the standards of God’s law. In Christ, we find the only rescue from sin and death. • Taylor Eising

• How do the Ten Commandments reveal God’s character?

• How do the Ten Commandments point to our need for a Savior?

For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16 (NIV)