To start us off for November, I thought it might be a good idea to record the whole poem from my "Ten Commandments" series. I've really enjoyed going through these verses this year and I hope the full poem can be a blessing to you today. Love Lucy x
Exodus 20:1-17
The Ten Commandments
“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 bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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 nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to 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 the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which 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 neighbour.
“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.””
The Ten Commandments Exodus 20:1-17
The Ten Commandments
“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 bondage.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—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 nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to 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 the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
“Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which 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 neighbour.
“You shall not covet your neighbour’s house; you shall not covet your neighbour’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbour’s.””
Behold, The Ten Commandments, recorded in God’s Word!
To think they don’t apply to us would really be absurd!
The wisdom found within these laws, we cannot take away,
So how can we apply these truths within our lives today?
“You shall have no gods before Me.” Commandment number one.
The throne within my heart belongs to Jesus Christ, God’s Son.
No false, deceptive deities must rule within my days.
Oh may my soul be watchful they don’t reign in subtle ways!
What passion do I serve the most and who do I live for?
Should any name but Jesus Christ reside within my core,
Then strip away my idols, Lord and purge me from this sin!
Oh may Christ rule and reign in me and may I live for Him!
“You shall not carve an image.” Commandment number two,
Making clear we bow the knee to no one else but You.
For You, O Lord are Spirit and so Your Word commands
We worship You alone and not things made by human hands.
Let wood or concrete idols play no part in my story
For earthly, carven images cannot contain Your glory!
Your Scriptures give instruction for correction and reproof.
Oh may we glorify You Lord, in spirit and in truth!
“You shall not take the name of Christ, the Lord your God in vain.”
Commandment number three declares our lips should bring no shame!
Oh keep us from hypocrisy, frivolity or worse,
Profanity is when Christ’s name is nothing but a curse!
Let blasphemy be put to death, let careless speech be barred.
May every reference to the Lord be said with high regard.
Holy, Holy is our God so let our tongues refrain.
May our words reflect Christ’s prayer, “Lord, hallowed be Thy name!”
“Keep the Sabbath holy.” Commandment number four.
A principle for Israel, a law to not ignore.
This day of rest, ordained by God, included everyone
Yet now we find our rest in Christ, God’s one and only Son.
The Sabbath was a picture; man’s work should come to cease.
Now Jesus is our Sabbath for in Him we find our peace.
Though rest is still important, there’s wisdom found within,
Christ’s work upon the Cross is done! Oh may we rest in Him.
“Honour your father and mother.” Commandment number five.
Respecting both our parents is good and very wise.
Essential for stability within society.
Disrespectful children bring a sorrow, clear to see.
“To honour” means to prize them, to show them care and love.
By honouring our parents, we honour God above.
Rebellion is costly so may we heed this law.
Help us act with reverence Lord and fill our hearts with awe.
We’re told, “You shall not murder.” Commandment number six
And yet this violent act does not require rocks or bricks.
No weaponry is needed for things to fall apart
For Jesus said we murder when we hate within our heart!
His warning found in Matthew should fill us with a dread,
To hate another person is to wish that person dead!
Oh God forbid we harbour hate and grieve our Sovereign Lord.
Let us seek to reconcile and live in one accord.
“You shall not commit adultery.” Commandment number seven.
A grievous act that causes strife and damage under Heaven.
Yet Jesus says that more than just the flesh must be restrained,
He makes it clear that lustful thoughts must not be entertained.
Though we may think we’re hiding things, believing we are smart,
The Lord can see our sinful acts and sins within in our heart.
Oh help us not to get off course for everything is seen.
Lord, purify us in and out and keep our thought-life clean.
“You shall not steal” is what we’re told. Commandment number eight.
None can claim their innocence! A thought to contemplate.
Take not another’s property, touch not their prized possession.
Yet stealing comes in many forms, requiring confession!
Wasting time or money brings sorrow to God’s Throne,
May our souls remember we are His and not our own.
Everything we have was bought by Jesus, sacrificed.
Oh may we render all to Him and live our lives for Christ!
“You shall not bear false witness.” Commandment number nine.
Let us guard our tongues and may they never cross the line.
Should we speak in error or slander one another,
Creating false impressions of a sister or a brother,
This ruins reputations and causes others pain.
May we bear no tales or bring dishonour to their name.
Find no delight in gossip, lend this sin no ear,
Committing all our words to God in reverential fear.
We’re told, “You shall not covet.” Commandment number ten.
This sin can tempt the best of us, every now and then!
The last commandment deals with the desires of our heart,
When jealousy or deep dissatisfaction make a start.
Desiring possession of another’s earthly wealth.
Itching to obtain their goods and gain them for ourself.
Relating to idolatry, Lord keep us from this sin!
May we be content in Christ and satisfied in Him.
Behold, The Ten Commandments, recorded in God’s Word!
To think they don’t apply to us would really be absurd!
The wisdom found within these laws, we cannot take away,
Please help us Lord, apply these truths within our lives today!
