Exodus 20:1-17

Ten Commandments

Commandment – Copy this down from Exodus	Re-write the command in your own words. Express it positively, ex., “You shall...” Commands 4 & 5 express negatively, ex., “You shall not...”	Explain how this command preserves society or protects the community.
1. (20.3) You shall have no other gods before me (part of 1^st commandment)	You shall worship only me as Lord of your life.	This command focuses worship on 1 God and away from human sacrifice which was too common.
2. (20.4) You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (part of 1^st commandment)	You shall worship only Yahweh as your God. There is no need for any other substitute.	Setting up multiple gods would be confusing for the people and can lead to a mindset where one possesses that god.
3. (20.5) You shall not bow down to them or worship them;	You shall bow down and worship only me as your God.	Worship of any other god was against the Decalogue. The worship of one God also fosters unity among the people.
4. (20.7) You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not acquit anyone who misuses his name.	You shall give the name of God all respect that it deserves. Respecting the name respects the person.	Showing respect for God is the beginning of respecting one another.
5. (20.8) Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.	You shall not work on the Sabbath day.	Resting on the Sabbath was a way for people to remember and reflect on God. It also creates a rhythm for living.
6. (20.12) Honor your father and your mother, so that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.	Do not disgrace your parents.	Respect for parents within the family unit was a major thread for society.
7. (20.13) You shall not murder.	You shall honor all of life.	People must respect other life. Wrongful death is detrimental to the community.
8. (20.14) You shall not commit adultery.	You shall abstain from all sexual sin.	Sex is a sacred expression of love used within the context of marriage.
9. (20.15) You shall not steal.	You shall respect other people’s possessions.	Respect for other people’s property promotes positive living.
10. (20.16) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.	You shall tell the truth about people.	Honesty in the community maintains balance and integrity among the people.
11. (20.17) You shall not covet	You shall be satisfied with what you have.	Covetous leads to greed which can lead to other violent behavior.