Exodus

Exodus 20: The Redeemer gives His law

Begin in prayer

Before we hear God’s commands at Sinai, let us remember the Redeemer who speaks them. Ask Him to expose our sin, teach us the obedience He requires and show us the sufficiency of Jesus.

that they might set their hope in God, and not forget God’s deeds, but keep his commandments,

Psalm 78:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the goodness of Your law and the sin within our hearts. Lead us to Jesus, who fulfilled Your righteousness for His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

At Sinai God declares that He brought Israel out of bondage, then speaks His Ten Commandments. He forbids rival gods, images for worship and misuse of His name, and commands holy Sabbath rest. He requires honor for parents and forbids murder, adultery, theft, false witness and coveting what belongs to a neighbor. The trembling people ask Moses to speak because they fear hearing God directly will bring death. Moses explains that God has come to test them and teach the fear that turns them from sin. God then forbids gods of silver and gold and gives rules for altars that honor His presence.

As you read Exodus 20, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God redeems His people and teaches them to love Him and their neighbors.

God identifies Himself as Israel’s Redeemer before speaking the commands, so obedience answers deliverance rather than purchasing it. His law guards worship, rest, family life and the treatment of neighbors. The generational warning concerns those hating God, while loving kindness reaches thousands who love Him and keep His commandments. His holy name must never be used in vain, and He will not leave that sin unpunished. The Sabbath looks back to God’s six days of creation and His rest on the seventh. Honoring parents, preserving life and marriage, respecting property and truth all express love under His authority. The final command reaches desire itself, exposing sin before it becomes an outward act. The frightened people ask for Moses to speak, and God gives instructions for an altar where He will meet them. The law exposes our need for Christ, who fulfilled its righteousness and bore its curse for His people.

How does Exodus 20 show us that God redeems His people and teaches them to love Him and their neighbors?

God alone must be worshiped and His name honored.

Israel must have no rival gods and must make no image to worship. God visits fathers' iniquity on children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Him. He shows loving kindness to thousands of those who love Him and keep His commandments. Misusing His name brings real guilt before the Lord whom Christ perfectly honored.

God gives rest and commands honor for parents.

God rested after six creation days and commands Sabbath rest for children, servants, animals and foreigners. He promises Israel long days in His land as they honor their parents. Children must obey, and lifelong honor includes caring for aging parents. Jesus obeyed His earthly parents, showing the obedience sinners lack. Obedience never requires sin or silence about harm, and a harmed child should seek protection from trusted adults.

God guards our neighbors in actions and desires.

Murder, adultery, theft and false witness violate duties to people made in God’s image. Coveting seeks what God has given another. The command reaches the heart, where Christ must change the sinner as well as forgive the guilt.

God teaches fear of sin and provides an appointed approach.

The people remain at a distance while Moses enters the darkness. God commands an altar of earth or uncut stone, without steps exposing nakedness. His promised presence and blessing must be received under His word.

Memorise

“I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

Exodus 20:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what desire in my heart needs the forgiveness and rule of Jesus?

God begins, “I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.” The Redeemer gives His people a law that reaches their worship, their work and their hidden desires. Every command shows the righteousness we owe Him.

Our broken obedience leaves us guilty. Jesus kept the law without one sin, then suffered for His people’s lawbreaking at the cross. He bore the curse they deserved and rose after securing their salvation. His finished work is enough to make the guilty right with God. Obedience cannot add to the righteousness He provides.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Those resting in Him receive forgiveness and the help of His Spirit to love God’s ways. Come to the One who fulfilled the law, and learn to obey from the grace He gives.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God’s law shows their sin and that Jesus obeyed, died and rose to save those who trust Him. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the goodness of His law and the Redeemer who spoke it, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.

Matthew 5:17

Father, thank You for teaching us how to love You and our neighbors. We confess our sinful actions and desires. Please turn us to Jesus for forgiveness and righteousness. Help our family honor Your name, care for each other and obey from hearts changed by grace. Amen.