The Ten Commandments – Comments Part 1
Good day to each of you reading this column on the Ten Commandments. As many of you know, I have read a copy of the Digest of the Divine Law by Howard Rand, The Institutes of Biblical Law by Rousas John Rushdonny, The Bible in the NIV, Ferrar Fenton and Smith Goodspeed Version, and The Wycliffe Bible Commentary.
When reading the above books, I found without these ten laws or commandments, our society would be chaotic and full of anarchy. Like pieces to a puzzle, these ten commandments cover the essence of life which is the law.
In fact, as one reads the first book of the Bible, it is evident in Genesis that the laws of the Lord were made know to man and woman from the beginning of human history. When thinking about this, if the Lord had not put for these laws, there would be no guide to prosperity and peace.
Let’s take the U.S.A. as an example and look at the following from the internet:
”There are at least 5,000 federal criminal laws, with 10,000-300,000 regulations that can be enforced criminally. In fact, our entire criminal code has become a leviathan unto itself. In 2003, there were only 4,000 offences that carried criminal penalties. By 2013, that number had grown by 21 percent to 4,850. The code has become so big, that the Congressional Research Service and the American Bar Association simply do not have enough staff to adequately categorize every law we have on the books.
Duncan O’Neil, Government employee, Veteran
Answered Dec 26, 2019 · Author has 4.7k answers and 473k answer views
https://www.quora.com/How-many-federal-laws-are-there-in-the-US/answer/Duncan-ONeil-1
As Christians, we agree that the Bible is the infallible word of God and that the Ten Commandments were to be administered to God’s people. Ten, not one hundred, not one thousand, not five thousand, but Ten Commandments.
Ten Commandments to God’s chosen people to read, follow, administer, obey and keep so that the nation would receive the harvest of God’s blessings, peace and prosperity. For the Psalmist says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
Jesus says, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments—Please read John 14:15 & 21. There you have it, Ten Commandments to obey—Why? Because you love Jesus and want to obey or keep his commandments. Do you wish to let him down? Like a child to a father or mother, is your intent to let them down or try to please them – why? Because you love them.
Let’s look at the other side of the coin and the breaking of the Ten Commandments—If you have broken any of the Ten Commandments or refused to keep any of God’s laws, then you have sinned. Don’t take my word, look at 1 John 3:4 for John declares this, “Sin is the transgression of the law.”
As God’s children, when we transgress against the law, we will receive God’s judgement to fit the crime. God gives us many examples in Exodus, Deuteronomy and Leviticus as to he disciplines, yet does not over-discipline. As you read the examples of God’s discipline, the thought of Divine or God’s judgement may not align with your standard of right or wrong, but, I will always side with the holy word of God for it is the final authority on all matters.
I have made the point that the Ten Commandments are to be a large part of our everyday activities and so are the judgements and statutes. If you turn to Ezekiel 37:24, Ezekiel says, “They shall also walk in my judgements, and observe my statutes, and do them.” For the double witness, turn to Deuteronomy 26:16-19 and read this very important passage. As God’s children, we are to follow his commands so that we can receive the blessings and not his curses.
As I close this first part, let me quote Howard Rand on the History of Law—History, however, records the fact that the happiness, prosperity and contentment of a people is in a large measure the direct result of the type of law administered and the method of administration: a blessing for the people when the commands of God (which is the Divine Law) are kept and administered; and a curse when the perfection of that law is violated and its administration ignored.
Deep! Yes—simple and true—As one of God’s children, I would much rather receive the blessings and avoid the curses. Everything is laid out in the Bible and each and every commandment, statute and judgement are so relevant in today’s society. This is not being politically correct; this is being Godly correct!
Divine justice is not politically correct and may or may not meet with man’s standard of right or wrong, but God does not over-discipline anyone. God’s judgement always fits the crime and his many examples in the Old Testament lay claim to that fact. One may argue and that is right, but I use the Bible as the final authority and held accountable.
In closing, God’s laws are the very essence of life and in keeping with the commandments, statutes and judgements, we will receive the blessings in our lives and in our society. As for the alternative, without law, we have anarchy and a state of lawlessness and political disorder—Does this sound familiar? Fellow Christian don’t refuse to observe and keep God’s laws for if you do, then you are in rebellion against God’s rule.
I hope you enjoyed these comments and look forward to hearing from you.
May God Bless you and you Bless God for ALL that he does. Jeff