The following student report was submitted by Ambassador League Agent Paul P. during the 2008-2009 League.
Mission: Research - Blessings of the Ten Commandments
God intended the Ten Commandments to be a blessing for his people, something that would empower them toward a life of fulfillment. Unfortunately, many see it as only a tool of restriction. A study of the Ten Commandments reveals much of how God intended life for his people.
"You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."
Our relationship with God requires exclusivity to reach its full potential. He wants a healthy relationship with you. He's a jealous God, and wants you for Himself. Because of his love and concern for us, He does not want you following things that do not satisfy and leave you empty.
"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain."
In Hebrew the word vain (lashav) "means in an empty or thoughtless manner." Using his name as a profanity is a sin as well, but what God was stressing here is that he desires a personal relationship with his people, not one filled with empty mantras of prayer and song.
"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy."
By the Messianic period, people had institutionalized the Sabbath. They had created something built on technicalities that only served to divide and frustrate people. Jesus said that he made the Sabbath for man, not man for the Sabbath. It was for the purpose of pleasure, not restriction, and Christ lived his life as an example of that.
"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you."
God desires that we have healthy relationships with our parents. Family relationships can be an incredible support and anchor that helps us through the storms of life. God also recognizes that how we view our parents will often reflect on how we view God as our Father.
"You shall not murder."
This commandment has just as much to do with what happens inside as out. Jesus said that if we hate our brother, we are already guilty of murder in our hearts. We are to love and value the life of others. The bible also states that allowing a sin to happen is a sin in itself. Therefore, this commandment calls us to honor and protect life as well.
"You shall not commit adultery."
God desires you to have a healthy and intimate relationship with your spouse, and exclusivity is the key. Faithfulness is a major factor in a good marriage.
"You shall not steal."
Respect other people's property. Be content with what you have.
"You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor."
Love your neighbor, and love truth and justice.
"You shall not covet 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 is your neighbor's."
Be thankful for what you have and appreciate what you've been given. Coveting can do a surprising amount of damage to even close friendships. This commandment (and the three preceding it) is for creating a close-knit, loving and caring environment in our communities. In a place free of jealousy, thievery, murder, adultery, and false indictment against one another, there can be an incredible level of love, trust, and biblical living achieved.
If understanding God's reasons behind the commandments is reached, it creates a straightforward tool for living a fulfilling life. God wants to bless us in what we do, and with his law it is no different.
Verses
And 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. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. You shall not covet 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 is your neighbor's." Exodus 20:1-17 (ESV)
