2019 Nov 17 The First of the Ten, 2Peter 2
2019 Nov 17 The First of the Ten, 2Peter 2
Let's consider this in Exodus 20:1-3 :
“20 Then God spoke all these words: 2 “I am Jehovah your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. 3 You must not have any other gods besides me.”
GOD'S RIGHT TO EXCLUSIVE WORSHIP. The first of the Ten Commandments, that God first spoke before all Israel, before writing them on two stone tablets. Notice that while all ten commands or laws are important, they do have an order. The first three have to do with our worshipping only Jehovah, and doing so in sincerity—not in name only. The first commandment is that we acknowledge God’s right to exclusive worship, that we refuse to worship any other gods. Encouraging us to have this view is God’s own reminder of His great loyal love and power that enabled Him to bring Abraham’s descendants out of slavery in Egypt, that He keep His promise that they would inhabit the Promised Land. (Genes 28:10,13). Egypt, being the first world power of Bible prophecy, is often used prophetically to represent the world with any ungodly political influence (Revel 11:8). Many true Christians today are grateful to God for having brought them out of the world and it’s false worship, gaining true freedom to serve Jehovah faithfully. So have you been brought “out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery?” We can come into a spiritual Promised Land, able to worship God among lovers of truth, finding true peace, joy, and love among fellow believers. May we appreciate the spiritual paradise that can be enjoyed now, as we look forward to an entire earthly Paradise to come.
PUTTING JEHOVAH FIRST. Still, we need to be careful not to worship any god but Jehovah. Without putting Jehovah first, whoever or whatever we are enslaved to, this one we serve. (Galat 4:3,8). May we align our habits, ways, and practices with true worship, the right and loving standards of Jehovah as set forth in His holy word, the Bible. And may we seek to honor Him by our speech and actions, boasting in Jehovah far more than any possession, or any other person, organization, or field of endeavor. (Psalm 97:7; 1Cori 1:31). Jeremiah 9:23,24 says “23 This is what Jehovah says: “Let not the wise man boast about his wisdom; Let not the mighty man boast about his mightiness; And let not the rich man boast about his riches.” 24 “But let the one boasting boast about this: That he has insight and knowledge of me, That I am Jehovah, the One showing loyal love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, For in these things I take delight,” declares Jehovah.” May we thus speak well of Jehovah to others, giving Him due praise and honor, as our Creator and Life-giver—the One who gives us “life, breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25).
OF SERIOUS IMPORT. The seriousness, the life and death importance of heeding this first command was underscored by Moses, at Deuteronomy 30:15-20. Notice his words, which may have serious import even for true Christians today: “15 “See, I do put before you today life and good, and death and bad. 16 If you listen to the commandments of Jehovah your God that I am commanding you today, by loving Jehovah your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his judicial decisions, then you will live and multiply, and Jehovah your God will bless you in the land you are going to possess. 17 “But if your heart turns away and you do not listen and you are enticed and bow down to other gods and serve them, 18 I tell you today that you will certainly perish. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess. 19 I take the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you today that I have put life and death before you, the blessing and the curse; and you must choose life so that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving Jehovah your God, by listening to his voice, and by sticking to him, for he is your life and by him you will endure a long time in the land that Jehovah swore to give to your forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”” God's chosen people Israel were to be an example to all the world as to the benefits and blessings that come from worshipping the true God Jehovah properly. Of course, God in time would send his son, named Jesus, as stated at John 3:17, "For God did not send his Son into the world for him to judge the world, but for the world to be saved through him." Thus we see that "Jehovah is not slow concerning his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance."
LOVE JEHOVAH. Likewise, may we grow to love deeply our Life-giver and loving Father, Jehovah, and show it by our adherence to His standards and commands. 1John 5:3 says “3 For this is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome.” May we look forward to further consideration of the Ten Commandments which God first spoke in the ears of all Israel, at Mount Sinai.
_______Find Life and See
Between Winchester, Virginia, and hopefully, Washington D.C., having confidence that our thankful trust in God will not fail to inspire us to the peace He has purposed via His Kingdom!
