Echad: The Power of One
Setting the Stage for the Series
Today we’re beginning a new series called “Old Laws for a New Life.” Over the next ten weeks, we’ll be diving deep into the Ten Commandments, exploring their historical context, and discovering their practical relevance for our lives as Christians today. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: “The Ten Commandments? Aren’t those just a bunch of outdated rules?” “That’s Old Testament stuff, didn’t Jesus fulfill the Law? Why do we need to learn about it?” But I want to challenge that notion right from the start. These commandments, given by God Himself, are not simply a list of dos and don’ts. They are the foundational principles that defined Israel’s relationship with God, and they continue to shape our understanding of how to live in covenant with our Creator.
Each week, we’ll unpack one commandment, examining its original meaning for ancient Israel, and drawing parallels to our walks with Christ today. Our goal is more than just gaining knowledge, though, but to allow God’s Word to fill our hearts, and transform our lives.
Background on the Ten Commandments
Before we dive into the first commandment, let’s set the stage. Picture this: The Israelites have just been dramatically rescued from slavery in Egypt (Ex. 12:31-42). They’ve witnessed the plagues (Ex. 4-12), walked through the Red Sea on dry ground (Ex. 14:21-22), and now they’re camped at the base of Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:16-19). It’s here, amidst thunder and lightning, that God calls Moses up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments (Ex. 19:20-25; 20:1-17).
This moment is pivotal in the history of God’s people. It’s so easy for us to read through these verses, or as you’re reading your Bible to be like, “Yeah, the Ten Commandments, I know this part.” It’s not just about receiving a set of rules, or this awesome moment of Moses meeting with God on Mount Sinai (which is an awesome story, but a story for another day); it’s about forming a nation with a unique identity and a special relationship with the one true God. The Ten Commandments serve as the constitution for this newly liberated people, outlining how they are to relate to God and to one another.
For those wanting to delve deeper into the historical and theological background of the Ten Commandments, I highly recommend the BibleProject podcast episode "What Are the Ten Commandments All About?" This episode offers fascinating insights into the cultural context of the Ancient Near East and how the Ten Commandments relate to other biblical covenants. The hosts, Tim and Jon, discuss how these commandments were revolutionary, challenging the social norms of the time. They explore how the commandments are not just arbitrary rules, but reflect the character of God and His desire for human flourishing. The episode also touches on how Jesus interpreted and applied the Ten Commandments, providing a New Testament perspective that enriches our understanding. This resource will greatly enhance your grasp of the passages we'll be covering in this series, offering a broader context for God's instructions to His people.
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Dating the Ten Commandments: The giving of the Ten Commandments is traditionally dated to around 1446 BC. This date is derived from 1 Kings 6:1, which states that Solomon began building the temple 480 years after the Exodus. Since Solomon's reign is generally dated to around 966 BC, this places the Exodus and the giving of the Law around 1446 BC. However, it's important to note that there are scholarly debates about this dating. Some archaeologists and historians propose a later date, around 1260 BC, based on archaeological evidence and alternative interpretations of the biblical chronology. Regardless of the exact year, the Ten Commandments represent a pivotal moment in the formation of Israel as a nation and in the history of monotheism.
The Location of Mount Sinai: Mount Sinai, also referred to as Horeb in some biblical passages, is traditionally believed to be located in the southern Sinai Peninsula. The most commonly accepted candidate is Jebel Musa (Arabic for "Mountain of Moses"), standing at 7,497 feet (2,285 meters).
The Hebrew Terminology: The phrase "Ten Commandments" in Hebrew is עֲשֶׂרֶת הַדְּבָרִים (aseret ha-dvarim), which literally translates to "Ten Words" or "Ten Sayings." This terminology is found in Exodus 34:28 and Deuteronomy 4:13. The use of "words" or "sayings" rather than "commandments" is significant for several reasons:
It emphasizes that these are not just rules, but divine utterances or pronouncements.
It aligns with Ancient Near Eastern covenant structures, where the terms of the covenant were often called "words."
It suggests a broader understanding of these statements as foundational principles rather than mere prohibitions.
In Jewish tradition, this phrase led to the development of the concept of the "Ten Utterances" through which God created the world (as described in Genesis 1), drawing a parallel between God's creative and covenantal acts.
Despite the literal Hebrew meaning, the term "Ten Commandments" has become the common English designation. This translation comes from several factors:
In the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament), the phrase was rendered as "deka logous," which can be translated as "ten words" or "ten sayings," but also carries the connotation of "commandments" or "laws."
In Exodus 24:12, God refers to giving Moses "the tablets of stone, with the law and commandment," which has been associated with the Ten Words.
The New Testament refers to them as "entolas" in Greek (e.g., Matthew 19:17-19), which is typically translated as "commandments."
This dual understanding – as both "words" and "commandments" – enriches our interpretation. It reminds us that these are not just rules to be followed, but profound divine communication that shapes our relationship with God and others.
Exegesis of Exodus 20:1-3
Now, let’s turn our attention to the first commandment. Read with me from Exodus 20:1-3 (I’m using the ESV version):
“And God spoke all these words:
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
At first glance, this is pretty straightforward, right? Of course, we shouldn’t worship other gods! “Check. Got it. Let’s go home. That’s week 1 done, easy. I’m doing great.”
Let’s consider what this meant in its original context, to the original audience that would have been reading this, to the Israelites that would have received this. In the ancient Near East, the idea of one exclusive God wasn’t just different, it was revolutionary. Unheard of. The surrounding nations believed in many gods, each responsible for different aspects of life.
Egypt: Worshipped a pantheon including Ra (the sun god), Osiris (god of the afterlife), and Isis (goddess of motherhood and fertility) among many others.
Canaan: Believed in gods like Baal (storm and fertility god), Asherah (mother goddess), and Molech (associated with child sacrifice).
Mesopotamia: Honored gods such as Marduk (chief god of Babylon), Ishtar (goddess of love and war), and Ea (god of wisdom and magic).
By declaring, “You shall have no other gods before me,” God wasn’t just claiming to be the best god among many; He was asserting His absolute uniqueness and demanding exclusive allegiance. The Hebrew phrase that’s used here is
“לֹא יִהְיֶה לְךָ אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים עַל פָּנָי”
This translates directly to “there shall not be to you any other gods before My face.” The preposition before (Heb. “’al” עַל) can mean “above,” “besides,” or “before.” Or simply put, it’s a strong ban against any form of rival allegiance or worship. God is saying here, “I alone am to be the object of your devotion and loyalty.” Now, you may have also notice at the end here of this literal translation, that what in our ESV translation (and many others) is written as “before Me” is "עַל־פָּנָֽיַ" (ʿal pānāi), literally translates to “before My face” or “in My presence.” And again, it's more than just prioritizing God above other things; it’s about recognizing that everything in our lives is lived out in God’s presence (Prov. 15:3). There’s no area of life that’s outside His view or beyond His concern (Heb. 4:13). And this isn’t the only place that we’re taught this concept of living entirely before God’s face. It’s echoed all throughout the Bible.
In Psalm 139:7, David asks, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” The answer, of course, is nowhere. Our entire existence is lived out before God’s face, and this commandment calls us to acknowledge that reality in how we live and worship. This concept of living before God’s face, or coram deo in Latin, has profound and huge implications for our daily lives:
Accountability: Knowing that we live constantly in God’s presence should motivate us to live with integrity, even when no one else is watching (Col. 3:23-24).
Comfort: God’s omnipresence means we’re never truly alone. In our darkest moments, He is there (Ps. 23:4).
Purpose: Every aspect of our lives, even the mundane or trite, takes on new significance when we realize it’s all “before God’s face” (1 Cor. 10:31).
Worship: True worship extends beyond church services to every area of life lives in awareness of God’s presence (Rom. 12:1).
Holiness: The realization that we’re always in God’s presence should inspire us to pursue holiness in all aspects of life (1 Pet. 1:15-16).
This first commandment, therefore, while it does have a theological foundation of belief in just one God, it’s a call to a radically God-centered life, where our thoughts, words, actions, are lived out in the conscious awareness of His presence.
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Ancient Hebrew Language: The Old Testament was primarily written in Ancient Hebrew, a Semitic language spoken by the Israelites. This language evolved significantly over the approximately 1,000-year span from Genesis to Malachi, with evidence suggesting that older texts were linguistically updated over time. For example, the Pentateuch we read today likely reflects a more modern form of Hebrew than what Moses originally wrote. The language's regional similarities allow comparative linguistics to aid in understanding certain words. Modern scholars distinguish between Ancient/Biblical/Classical Hebrew (the language of the Old Testament) and Modern Hebrew, which differs from its ancient counterpart much like Old English differs from Modern English.
Ancient Hebrew Writing System: Ancient Hebrew was originally written using only consonants, a system known as consonantal text. This was possible due to the language's regular consonant-vowel-consonant structure, which allowed fluent speakers to read it even without vowels. To illustrate, consider these English sentences written only with consonants: "YSTRDY JHN WNT T MCDNLDS" (Yesterday, John went to McDonalds) or "TH QCK BRN FX JMPD VR TH LZY DG" (The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog). This consonantal text was preserved and copied for centuries. However, between AD 600 and 1000, as Jewish culture became increasingly dispersed, a group of scholars and scribes called the Masoretes undertook the crucial task of adding vowels to the text. They introduced "points," small marks representing vowels placed above or below the consonants, to preserve correct pronunciation and meaning. This system allowed readers to pronounce words correctly without altering the original inspired text.
The Tetragrammaton YHWH (יהוה): YHWH, appearing over 6,800 times in the Hebrew Bible, is God's personal name in the Old Testament, also known as the Tetragrammaton. Composed of four Hebrew letters (yodh, he, waw, he), it's closely related to the Hebrew verb "to be" (היה, hayah), connecting to God's self-revelation in Exodus 3:14: "I AM WHO I AM." This name reflects profound theological concepts: God's self-existence (existing by His own nature), eternality (no beginning or end), and independence (relying on nothing outside Himself). The exact pronunciation is uncertain due to ancient Hebrew's consonant-only writing, with scholars generally reconstructing it as "YAH-way" or "YAH-weh," though debate continues over whether it should have two or three syllables. Historically, out of reverence and fear of misusing God's name (Leviticus 24:16), Jews stopped pronouncing it aloud, substituting it with "Adonai" (Lord) when reading Scripture. This practice extended to the Septuagint, where translators used "Kurios" (Lord). Modern Bible translations vary: some use "Yahweh" or "Jehovah," while most render it as "LORD" (all capitals) to distinguish it from "Adonai" (Lord).
The Term "Jehovah" and Related Misconceptions: Contrary to some beliefs, "Jehovah" is not the original Divine Name revealed to Israel, but a later construct likely originating in the 16th century. It developed when the vowels from "Adonai" (Lord) or "Elohim" (God) were inserted between the consonants of YHWH, creating YaHWeH or YeHoWaH. The initial Y was replaced with J (though Hebrew lacks a J sound) and W with V, resulting in "Jehovah." These vowels, being abbreviated forms of the Hebrew verb "to be," could render "Jehovah" as meaning "He who will be, is, and has been," reflecting God's eternal nature. A separate misconception from Jewish mysticism associates Yahweh with breathing, suggesting "Yah" sounds like inhalation and "Weh" like exhalation, poetically implying we speak God's name with every breath. However, this concept is not biblically based and shouldn't be taken as theological truth. A more scripturally grounded interpretation views our constant breathing as a reminder of our dependence on God for life, aligning with passages like Genesis 2:7, Job 12:10, and Acts 17:28, which emphasize God as the source and sustainer of life.
The Hebrew word for "gods" in "no other gods" is אֱלֹהִים (elohim), which is plural but often used to refer to the one true God. Its use here emphasizes the absurdity of worshipping any god other than YHWH.
Theological Implications
This commandment is rooted in God’s identity as Israel’s deliverer. Notice how God introduces Himself: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” This is important, too, because we see that God’s claim on Israel’s exclusive worship of Him isn’t based merely on His power as Creator of the entire universe and all that we know, as if the first isn’t enough in and of itself, but on His loving action as our Redeemer. Nahum Sarna, a renowned biblical scholar, points out that this emphasizes the relational aspect of God’s covenant with Israel. God isn’t just saying, “Worship Me because I’m powerful.” He’s saying, “Worship Me because I’ve proven My love for you through action.”
It reminds me of Isaiah 43:1, when God says to Israel:
“But now thus says the Lord,
he who created you, O Jacob,
he who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name, you are mine.”
In the New Testament, this theme reaches its climax in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 tells us:
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,”
The exclusivity demanded in the first commandment finds its ultimate expression in Jesus’ words in John 14:6,
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Just as Yahweh demanded exclusive allegiance from Israel, Jesus claims to be the exclusive means of salvation. Think of it this way: Imagine a child telling you, “You’re my favorite person in the whole entire world!” How much would that mean to you? It would warm your heart, right? Until you hear them say the exact same thing to the next person who holds them.
Or a spouse who you catch saying that to someone else. But beyond that, we’re children of God, He our father who created us, loves us, was whipped at the post, flesh ripping off his body, beaten beyond recognition, then made to carry the exact method of His execution (what’s estimated to be) about half a mile. A cross that weighed roughly 300 pounds, the cross beam alone weighing 70-90 pounds, (which, I’d argue isn’t much weight compared to the sin of the world resting upon His shoulders). Then nailed to it, suffocated, died, defeated death, and ascended into heaven - paying the punishment for our sin so that we may have eternal life in paradise with Him. Now imagine the pain of then hearing the people He saved saying, “Nah – I like this other god (that doesn’t exist) more. This other god is my favorite. I don’t really believe in you.” Or to say, “That’s great He did that, but I think there’s other ways to get to heaven, why do I have to believe in Jesus?” This is called universalism.
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"Universalism" is a theological term that basically means "everyone gets saved in the end, regardless of what they believe." Sounds nice, right? Who doesn't want everyone to make it to heaven? I know I certainly do. But here's the thing: while it might sound loving and inclusive (a buzz word in our culture today), it actually goes against what the Bible teaches, is the opposite of inclusive, and it's got some serious problems.
First, universalism essentially says that all religions are equally valid paths to God. It's like saying all roads lead to Rome. But if that were true, why would Jesus say He's the only way? Remember John 14:6? Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." That's pretty exclusive language.
Second, universalism undermines the significance of the cross. Think about it: if everyone's going to heaven anyway, why did Jesus need to die? Why go through all that suffering if there were other ways to reconcile us to God? Paul says in Galatians 2:21, "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose." If there were other valid paths to God, wouldn't Christ's death be unnecessary?
Third, universalism ignores the reality of human free will. God doesn't force anyone to love Him or accept His offer of salvation. He respects our choices, even when those choices lead us away from Him. As C.S. Lewis once said, "There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, 'Thy will be done,' and those to whom God says, in the end, 'Thy will be done.'"
Now, don't get me wrong. God's desire is for everyone to be saved. 1 Timothy 2:4 tells us that God "desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." But desire doesn't equal reality. God's love is universal, but salvation requires a response on our part.Fourth, universalism can lead to complacency. If everyone's going to heaven anyway, why bother with evangelism? Why strive to live a godly life? It can rob us of the urgency to share the gospel and the motivation to grow in our faith.
So when we talk about the exclusivity of Christ, we're not being narrow-minded or unloving. We're recognizing the extraordinary lengths God went to in order to save us. We're acknowledging the gravity of sin and the magnificence of grace. And we're taking seriously Jesus' own words about His unique role in our salvation. This doesn't mean we look down on people of other faiths or no faith. Far from it! It means we have a message of hope that's too good and too important not to share. It means we understand that our faith isn't just one option among many – it's a life-changing encounter with the living God who loved us enough to die for us. It’s the most “inclusive” thing we could do.
When we commit ourselves exclusively to God, when we put Him first above all else, we're not just following a rule. We're responding to the greatest act of love in history. We're saying, "God, You gave everything for me. So I'm giving everything to You." And that, my friends, is what the first commandment is all about. But beyond that, God is calling for a love and a loyalty that goes beyond just lip service. He wants our hearts, undivided, and fully committed to Him. Why? Because He’s powerful? Because He created everything?
“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
“But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”
Our deliverance from sin through Christ is even more profound than the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. While they were freed from human oppressors, we have been freed from the power of sin and death itself. Colossians 1:13-14 expresses this powerfully:
“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
This redemption in Christ is the ultimate fulfillment of God's declaration, "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery." Now, through Jesus, God has brought us out of an even deeper slavery – the bondage of sin and death. His loving action as our Redeemer. From Exodus 20:1 to Galatians 5:1, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” This undivided devotion that God is seeking from us is beautifully expressed in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (the Shema),
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Jesus later cites this, The Shema, as the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-38, showing the continuity between the Old and New Testaments in the call for exclusive devotion to God.
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The concept of God as Redeemer (גֹּאֵל, go'el in Hebrew) is deeply rooted in Israelite culture. The go'el was a kinsman-redeemer who had the responsibility to buy back family land or relatives who had sold themselves into slavery (see the book of Ruth for an example).
Jesus' claim in John 14:6 uses the Greek phrase ἐγώ εἰμι (ego eimi, "I am"), echoing God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14, thus asserting His divine identity.Description text goes here
The Nature of Idolatry
Now, let’s look at the concept of idolatry. In the ancient world, idolatry often took the form of literal statues or images representing various deities. But the Bible’s understanding of idolatry goes far beyond this. The prophet Ezekiel speaks of “idols of the heart” in Ezekiel 14:3, suggesting that idolatry is fundamentally an internal, spiritual issue before it becomes an external physical one. The apostle Paul, in Colossians 3:5, continues this concept, equating covetousness with idolatry, showing that anything that we desire more than God becomes an idol.
In Romans 1:22-23, Paul describes the fundamental human tendency toward idolatry:
“Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.”
This passage suggests that idolatry is essentially about exchange - trading worship of the true God for worship of something in creation. It’s worth noting that this “exchange” Paul speaks of isn’t just a one-time act, but something we’re constantly tempted to do in the everyday moments of life. We can start out by trusting God and following Him faithfully, but over time, subtly, our hearts can shift. The good things in our lives—our careers, families, even our ministries—can slowly take center stage in our hearts, pushing God to the margins. It’s not always blatant, but that makes it all the more dangerous. This is the challenge of idolatry—it competes for our loyalty, and we often find ourselves divided between God and whatever else we are tempted to worship.
The 20th-century theologian Paul Tillich defined faith as one's "ultimate concern." By this definition, whatever we hold as our greatest priority—what we build our lives around, what we derive our sense of worth from, or what we look to for our deepest satisfaction—becomes our god.
The truth is, we are all worshippers. The question isn’t whether we will worship, but what we will worship. The first commandment challenges us to ensure that the true God, the God of the Bible, is our ultimate concern. This commandment isn’t just about removing external idols, but about keeping our hearts fully devoted to God. When God said in Exodus 20:3, “You shall have no other gods before me,” He wasn’t just prohibiting the worship of false gods like Baal or Asherah—He was demanding exclusive allegiance in every area of life. Everything we do, think, and desire happens in His presence, and nothing can rival His place in our hearts.
So, what does this mean for us today? It means we need to examine our hearts regularly, asking ourselves what we are truly living for. Are we exchanging the glory of God for something less? Are we building our lives on temporary things that cannot fully satisfy? As C.S. Lewis once said:
“We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea.”
The first commandment calls us to put away these “lesser loves” and reorient our hearts toward the one true God who alone can fulfill us.
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In ancient Near Eastern cultures, idols were seen as the actual embodiment of the deity, not just representations. The biblical prohibition against idolatry was thus a radical departure from surrounding religious practices.
The Hebrew word for idol, פֶּסֶל (pesel), literally means "carved image," emphasizing the man-made nature of idols in contrast to the living God.
Application: Examining Our Hearts
Now, you might be thinking, "Hold on a second. I don't have any little statues I bow down to. I'm good on this commandment, right?" Well, not so fast. Here's the thing: while we might not be tempted by literal golden calves, our hearts are just as prone to idolatry as those ancient Israelites. Let's talk about what an idol looks. An idol is anything that competes with God for the throne of our hearts. It could be your career, your possessions, your reputation, or even good things like family or ministry. Anything you prioritize above your relationship with God - that's an idol.
The prophet Ezekiel talks about "idols of the heart" in Ezekiel 14:3.
“Son of man, these men have taken their idols into their hearts, and set the stumbling block of their iniquity before their faces. Should I indeed let myself be consulted by them?”
It's like he's saying, "Hey, idolatry starts in here," pointing to his chest, "before it ever becomes something out there." Further, Paul, in Colossians 3:5 basically equates being greedy with idolatry. It's as if he's saying, "If you want something more than you want God, that's your idol right there."
Now, why does God take this so seriously? There's this powerful verse in Jeremiah 2:13 where God says,
“for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
broken cisterns that can hold no water.”
Think about that for a second. God's saying He's like a fountain of fresh, living water. But instead of drinking from that, we're out here digging our own wells, trying to find water elsewhere. And not only that, but that the wells that we’re digging on our own: they're cracked. They can't even hold water! It's a vivid picture, isn't it? Idolatry isn't just breaking a rule; it's turning away from the source of life itself to chase after stuff that'll never truly satisfy us. So let me ask you something, and I want you to really think about this: What's sitting on the throne of your heart right now? What's consuming your thoughts, your time, your resources? When you need comfort, or security, or a sense of who you are, where do you turn if it's not to God?
Because this commandment is calling us to radically reorient our lives. It's challenging us to knock every idol off its pedestal and put God alone in that place of supreme worship and devotion. It reminds me of what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters." He was talking about money, but the principle applies to anything that competes for that top spot in our lives. The apostle John ends his first letter by saying this: "Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21, ESV) It seems like an abrupt ending, doesn't it? But it's actually a perfect summary of his whole letter. In light of who God is and what He's done for us in Christ, we've got to guard our hearts against anything that might try to shove God out of His rightful place.
Here's the thing to remember: idolatry isn't just about what we consciously worship. It's about what we ultimately trust in and value most. There's this sobering verse in Psalm 115:8 that says, "Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them."
We become like what we worship.
If we worship the true God, we grow to be more like Him. But if we worship idols – whether that's success, comfort, control, or anything else – we end up as empty and unsatisfying as those idols are.
The Jealousy of God
Alright, let's talk about something that might make some of us a bit uncomfortable: God's jealousy. Yeah, you heard that right. In Exodus 34:14, God actually says,
“Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
"For you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God” (Exodus 34:14, ESV).
Now, I know what you're thinking. "Jealousy? Isn't that a bad thing?" When we think of jealousy, we usually picture some possessive boyfriend or a kid throwing a tantrum because their sibling got a bigger slice of cake. But here's the thing: God's jealousy is in a whole different league.
See, divine jealousy is fundamentally different from our human jealousy. It's not about insecurity or pettiness. It's about God's righteous claim on His creation and His people. Think about it like this: God created us, redeemed us, and knows what's best for us. His jealousy is a reflection of His absolute right to our worship and His perfect understanding of what we need. In Deuteronomy 32:21, God says,
“They have made me jealous with what is no god; they have provoked me to anger with their idols.”
This jealousy isn't about God feeling threatened or insecure; it's about Him being righteously angered when we, His creation, turn to worthless things instead of to Him.
It's like a parent watching their child choose something harmful over something good. The parent's "jealousy" isn't selfish; it's born out of love and a desire for the child's wellbeing. In the same way, God's jealousy is an expression of His love for us and His desire for our ultimate good, which can only be found in Him. Remember, Isaiah 42:8 says,
“I am the Lord; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols.”
God's jealousy is about His glory and our good, which are inseparably linked. That's the kind of jealousy we're talking about with God.
There's this amazing illustration of this in the book of Hosea. God tells the prophet Hosea to marry a woman who's, let's say, not exactly faithful. It's meant to be a living parable of God's relationship with Israel. Despite all of Israel's spiritual "cheating," God's jealous love keeps pursuing her. God says in Hosea 2:19-20:
“And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy. I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. And you shall know the Lord.”
Isn't that beautiful? God's not sitting up in heaven with His arms crossed, fuming with jealousy. He's actively pursuing us, wanting to "marry" us, to have this deep, intimate relationship with us. His jealousy isn't about Him needing us or being insecure. It's about Him loving us so much that He wants the absolute best for us. So when we talk about God's jealousy, we're really talking about His love. He knows that we'll only find true fulfillment and joy in Him. And because He loves us, He jealously guards our relationship with Him. Not for His benefit, but for ours.
It's like He's saying, "I love you too much to share you with anything that's going to hurt you or leave you unsatisfied."
When you look at it that way, God's jealousy starts to sound less like a negative trait and more like the most intense, passionate love we could ever experience. So, next time you hear about God being jealous, think of it as the ultimate expression of how deeply and completely God loves you.
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The imagery of God as a jealous husband is prevalent in the Old Testament prophets. Ezekiel 16 and Hosea 1-3 are extended metaphors comparing Israel's idolatry to marital unfaithfulness.
The Hebrew word for "jealous" (קַנָּא, qanna) is related to the word for "zealous," suggesting an ardent, passionate commitment rather than pettiness.
Jeff and the Storm
There was a man named Jeff who loved God and was actively involved in his church. He was a man of integrity, someone others looked up to for his faith and wisdom. But over time, something started to shift in Jeff’s life. He had recently bought a new house—a dream home for his family. What began as a blessing from God soon became an obsession for him. He spent all his time and energy upgrading, decorating, and perfecting the house. Weekends that were once spent in fellowship and serving at church were now devoted to home improvement projects.
Jeff didn’t realize it at first, but his love for his home had quietly become his focus. The house, though a gift from God, had subtly taken the place of God in his heart. He was constantly thinking about the next improvement or how to make it look better. Conversations with friends often revolved around the house, and his time with God became less frequent.
It wasn’t until a storm hit and caused significant damage to the house that Jeff had a wake-up call. In that moment, as he stood looking at the damage, he realized just how much of his heart had been wrapped up in something temporary. He had allowed his home—a good thing in itself—to become an idol that was crowding out his relationship with God. This realization relate directly to Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:24: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” Jeff understood then that he had been trying to serve both God and his material possessions, and in doing so, he was drifting further from God.
What about you? Are there areas in your life where something good has subtly taken God’s place? What steps can you take this week to ensure that God alone sits on the throne of your heart?
The Grace of God in the First Commandment
It's crucial that we don't miss the grace embedded within it. Yes, God demands exclusive worship, but notice how He introduces the commandments: "I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery." Before God gives any commands, He reminds the Israelites of what He has already done for them. The indicative (what God has done) always comes before the imperative (what we are to do). This is no small detail. God’s covenant with His people is based on His saving action. It wasn’t, "Obey Me, and then I will deliver you." It was, "I have delivered you, and now this is how you are to live in response." His grace, His rescue, came first.
This pattern of grace before law is consistent throughout Scripture. It shows us that our relationship with God is initiated by His grace and His saving acts. In the New Testament, Paul follows the same pattern in his letters. He typically spends the first half of each epistle explaining what God has done for us in Christ before moving on to how we should live in response. For example, in Ephesians, the first three chapters are about our identity and blessings in Christ—what God has already accomplished through His grace. Only in the latter chapters does Paul begin to instruct believers on how they should walk in light of those truths. This order matters because it protects us from falling into legalism. If we invert this order, we begin to think that obedience earns God’s favor, when in fact, our obedience is a response to His favor. Our devotion to God and our obedience to His commands, including the first commandment, is not about trying to earn His love or approval. Rather, it’s a response to the love He has already shown us. God, in His grace, has freed us—whether it was Israel from slavery in Egypt or us from the slavery of sin through Christ—and now He calls us to live in light of that freedom.
Jesus echoes this same truth when He says in John 14:15,
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.”
Our obedience to God is a response to the love we have for Him. It’s not a way to earn that love. As we grow in our understanding of God’s grace and the depths of His love for us, obedience flows naturally from a heart of gratitude. Obedience becomes the fruit of our love for God, not the root of it. This is the essence of gospel-driven obedience. So, as we look at the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me," we need to see it in the context of God’s grace. He isn’t giving us this command to restrict us or to burden us with unattainable rules. He is inviting us to respond to His grace, to live in the freedom of exclusive worship to Him. He alone has delivered us, and He alone is worthy of our devotion.
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The structure of the Ten Commandments mirrors ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, where a great king would make a covenant with a lesser king. The preamble identifying the great king ("I am the Lord your God") precedes the stipulations of the covenant.
This structure emphasizes that obedience to the commandments is a response to God's gracious acts, not a means of earning His favor.
The First Commandment and the Gospel, Freedom, and Human Flourishing
Now that we have all this background, historical set up, and theology in place, let's talk about how this first commandment ties into the bigger picture of our faith. It's pretty amazing how it all fits together.
Think of the first commandment like a mirror. When we really look at it, we see ourselves clearly, and let's be honest, it's not always a pretty picture. We realize just how far we've strayed. We've all been guilty of spiritual adultery, turning to created things instead of the Creator for our deepest satisfaction. It's like we've been looking for water in the desert when there's an oasis right in front of us. But here's the good news - this realization doesn't leave us in despair. Instead, it drives us straight to the cross. It's like the first commandment is saying, "You need help," and the gospel is saying, "Here it is!" Jesus paid the price for our idolatry, for all the times we've put other things before God. And the gospel doesn't just forgive our idolatry; it gives us the power to actually live out this commandment. When we put our faith in Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit, like a heart surgeon constantly working to reorient our hearts toward God.
Paul puts it beautifully in 2 Corinthians 3:18:
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
It's like we're being transformed from the inside out! Now, you might not find Jesus or the apostles directly quoting the first commandment in the New Testament, but its essence is all over their teachings. Remember when Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters... You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6:24)? He's echoing the first commandment, pointing out that even something like wealth can become an idol.
Or take Paul's words to the Colossians:
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
It's like he's restating the first commandment for a new generation of believers. Now, I know what some of you might be thinking: "Doesn't this commandment restrict our freedom? Isn't it constraining to always have to put God first?" Great question! I’m glad you asked it. But here's the thing: true freedom isn't about doing whatever we want. It's about being who we were created to be and doing what we were designed to do.
Think of it this way: a fish is most free when it's in water. If you took it out of water in the name of "freedom," you'd actually be restricting its ability to live as it was designed. The same goes for us. We're most free when we're living according to God's design, which includes giving Him our exclusive worship. The Psalmist got this. He wrote,
“I will walk about in freedom,
for I have sought out your precepts.”
Far from restricting freedom, God's commands - including the first commandment - are the pathway to true freedom. This commandment isn't some arbitrary rule. It's a guideline for human flourishing. God isn't commanding us to worship Him alone because He needs an ego boost. He's doing it because He knows it's what's best for us.
When we give something other than God our ultimate allegiance, we're asking it to do something it was never designed to do - to be our god. It's like trying to write an essay with an eraser. Using an eraser as a pen is ridiculous, that's not what it was made for. So, when we ask things to do something that they were never designed to do, it will always lead to disappointment and often to destruction - especially when what we're asking of it is to be our god, when it's not God.
But when we worship God alone, we're operating according to our design. We're like a well-tuned instrument playing the music it was created to play. This is where we find our deepest joy and fulfillment. You know, there's this quote from Augustine that I love. He said,
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds you.”
It's like we're all walking around with God-shaped holes in our hearts, and nothing else will ever truly fit. Here’s the bottom line: true peace, real joy, lasting fulfillment - they're all found in giving our whole hearts to God. The first commandment points us to this truth, and the gospel makes it possible. Now that's some good news, wouldn't you say?
Practical Steps for Applying the First Commandment
So, how do we live out this commandment in our daily lives? Here are some practical steps we can take:
Regular Self-Examination: Set aside time regularly – perhaps daily or weekly – to examine your heart. Ask yourself:
What am I relying on for my sense of worth?
What am I most afraid of losing?
What do I daydream about?
The answers to these questions can reveal what might be competing with God for first place in your heart.
Steward Your Resources: Remember that everything you have – your time, talents, and treasures – ultimately belongs to God. Regularly evaluate how you're using these resources. Are you using them in ways that honor God and further His kingdom?
Engage in Corporate Worship: There's something powerful about coming together with other believers to worship God. Make church attendance and participation in a small group a priority. These communal experiences of worship can help reinforce God's primacy in our lives.
Meditate on Scripture: Regularly spending time in God's Word, particularly passages that speak of His character and His works, can fuel our love and devotion for Him. Try memorizing verses that remind you of God's worthiness of worship.
Serve Others: Paradoxically, serving others can help us worship God more fully. As we serve, we imitate Christ and often find our own problems (and idols) shrinking in comparison to the needs around us.
Practice Fasting: Fasting from food, social media, or other comforts can help us identify things we might be overly dependent on and redirect our dependence to God.
The First Commandment and Our Witness to the World
When we're living out this first commandment, it's not just about us and God. It's actually a powerful way to show the world around us who God is and what He's all about. There's this awesome verse in 1 Peter 2:9. It says,
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
Did you catch that? We're chosen to declare God's praises. Our devotion to God is like a megaphone, broadcasting to the world how excellent He is. Think about it. We're living in a world where everyone's chasing after something, right? Money, fame, pleasure, power - you name it. But when we choose to orient our whole lives around God, putting Him first above everything else, it's like we're swimming upstream. And let me tell you, people notice that. It's like wearing a neon sign that says, "There's something different here." It makes people curious. They start asking questions. "Why are you so content?" "How can you be so generous?" "Where does your peace come from?" And boom - just like that, we've got an opportunity to share about the hope we have in Christ. It's exactly what Peter talks about in 1 Peter 3:15 when he says we should always be ready to give an answer for the hope that we have. But it goes even deeper than that.
Our exclusive worship of God is like a wake-up call to our culture. When we refuse to bow down to the gods of our age - you know, things like consumerism, nationalism, or the cult of self-fulfillment - we're showing that there's a different way to live. We're saying, "Hey, there's something - someone - greater than all of this." It's like we're living billboards for a life that finds its purpose and center in God alone. And in a world that's constantly searching for meaning and fulfillment in all the wrong places, that's a pretty powerful message.
So, next time you're tempted to think that your faith is just a personal thing between you and God, remember this: your devotion to God is a light in the darkness. It's a signpost pointing to a better way. And who knows? Your commitment to putting God first might just be the thing that helps someone else find their way to Him. It could change eternity for someone else.
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The concept of believers as "salt and light" in Matthew 5:13-16 relates to how our distinctive lives, shaped by exclusive devotion to God, can impact the world around us.
The Greek word for "proclaim" in 1 Peter 2:9 is ἐξαγγείλητε (exangeilēte), which carries the sense of "advertising" or "publishing abroad," emphasizing the outward focus of our worship.Description text goes here
Putting It All Together
As we wrap up, let's return to our main text, Exodus 20:3: "You shall have no other gods before me." We've seen that this commandment is not a burdensome rule, but an invitation to freedom, fulfillment, and flourishing. It's a call to align our lives with our ultimate purpose – to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
We've explored how this commandment finds its fullest expression in the gospel of Jesus Christ, who lived the life of perfect devotion to God that we couldn't, died to pay for our spiritual adultery, and rose again to empower us to live lives of wholehearted worship.
So, what will you do with this commandment? How will you respond to God's call for exclusive worship?
I want to challenge each of you to take some specific steps this week:
Conduct a thorough "heart inventory." Set aside an hour or two to prayerfully examine your life. Ask God to show you any idols that might be competing for His place in your heart.
Choose one practical step from the list we discussed earlier (like practicing gratitude) and commit to implementing it this week.
Find an accountability partner – someone who can regularly ask you how you're doing in giving God exclusive worship.
Memorize a verse that reminds you of God's worthiness of worship. Perhaps Exodus 20:3 itself, or Psalm 16:11: "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
Remember, this is not about perfectly keeping a command. It's about continually reorienting our hearts toward God, relying on His grace, and growing in our love for Him. As we do this, we'll find that He is indeed the only One worthy of our ultimate allegiance, the only One who can truly satisfy our souls.