God’s Statutes and the Laws

God gave people the Ten Commandments and other statutes to obey.

In Exodus 18 – 23, children of Israel learned many God’s rules. The LORD gave us clear guidance and full support to walk in HIS way. We ought to study and understand HIS will, the importance of keeping HIS laws and the corresponding consequences.

The Ten Commandments:

1)      You shall have no other gods before ME.

2)      You shall not make for yourself a carved image.

3)      You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

4)      Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5)      Honor your father and your mother.

6)      You shall not murder.

7)      You shall not commit adultery.

8)      You shall not steal.

9)      You shall not bear false witness.

10)  You shall not covet.

The Ten Commandments are for us to obey, to make us happy because through compliance, we won’t be separated from God by sin, losing HIS grace. They teach us how to love God wholeheartedly and our neighbors as well.

God told us what should be done and what shouldn’t, how to settle dispute, the consequences and penalty of not keeping HIS laws. HIS clear instructions covered different aspects of life, including how to handle various circumstances. HE even told HIS people the underlying logic, for example, do not live together with other race for fear that they would be tempted to worship other gods, a trap to make them sin against HIM.

Additional list of statutes from God:

1)      The law of the altar

2)      The law concerning servants

3)      The law concerning violence

4)      Animal control laws

5)      Responsibility of property

6)      Moral and ceremonial principles

7)      Justice of all

8)      The law of Sabbath

9)      Three annual feasts

10)  The Angel and the promise

Jethro had already advised Moses teaching God’s statutes and the laws to HIS people, showing them the way in which they must walk and the work they must do. The LORD’s presence and HIS arrangements at Mount Sinai impressed everyone the importance of the laws given. We have the responsibility to keep God’s covenant and make HIS laws well-known.

Israel affirmed the covenant and they had to bear the consequences of disobeying God. The LORD could take away all the blessings and stop taking care of the sinners. The punishments were apparent and in severe cases fatal.

If Israel kept God’s covenant, HE would send an Angel to guide them to the Promised Land. HE would fight for HIS people, bless their foods and drinks, and keep them from disease, all wombs opened and no miscarriage.

The whole covenant was very overt, demonstrating the LORD’s love and consideration to humans. We are to obey, to respect, to walk according to God’s will.

Let’s pray to God:

Our Heavenly Father, thank you for Your loving-kindness and guidance. Please help us remember Your Statutes and Laws in our heart, spread the Gospel and resist all temptations to sin. Amen.

Special reference: The Ten Commandments and additional list of statutes from God are copied from Precious Moment Bible, published by Thomas Nelson, Inc.