The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Nathan K. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - 10 Commandments
The Ten Commandments is the foundation on which God built his law.
Exodus 20 1-20 says: "Then God spoke all these words, saying, I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
"You shall have no other gods before Me" (Commandment #1). God asks that we love Him and love him exclusively.
"You shall not make for yourself an idol (Commandment # 2), or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing lovingkindness to a thousand generations, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain (Commandment # 3), for the LORD will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Commandment # 4). Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
"Honor your father and your mother (Commandment # 5), that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you." This is for our good, not our parents. It’s a training ground. If we can honor our parents we will be able to honor God. "You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things."
"You shall not murder" (Commandment # 6). In Matthew 5, Jesus takes this commandment a bit farther. He says "You have heard that the ancients were told, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT MURDER' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.' But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court." This passage demonstrates to importance of learning to control our tempers.
"You shall not commit adultery" (Commandment # 7). Jesus also takes this commandment farther. He says "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This hits home. Oh that we could control our thoughts.
"You shall not steal" (Commandment # 8).
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Commandment # 9).
"You shall not covet (Commandment # 10) your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
"All The people perceived the thunder and the lightning flashes and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood at a distance. Then they said to Moses, Speak to us yourself and we will listen; but let not God speak to us, or we will die. Moses said to the people, Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin." The fear of God will keep us from sinning but only so long as that fear remains. It says in Proverbs 9:10 that "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." We have to keep the fear of God in us to allow him to use us and make us into the people he wants us to be.
When I think about the Ten Commandments, many things come to mind: Moses ascending Mt. Sinai; the tablets of stone written upon by the hand of God; Moses returning down the mountain, only to find the children of Israel worshiping a golden calf. Imagine the sorrow and pain he must have felt when witnessing that.
I also see the children of Israel wandering aimlessly in the wilderness for 40 years because of their idolatry at Mt. Sinai. This is a reminder that the consequences of sin are horrible but Jesus removed those consequences on the cross. Let us remember what a sacrifice Jesus made and what great love He has for us.
I believe that the Ten Commandments confirm the truths that we already know - they are a "natural law" reminding us of who we are and who God is. It is sad to consider how many people in this nation wish to remove them from any public discussion or display. That must never happen. There is only one thing that stands in the way - good people. And if good people do nothing then we are surely lost. May that never be the case.
