The First Commandment

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me."  Exodus 20:2-3

 

Is it logical to say that if people would have obeyed the First Commandment there would be no need for any other Commandments?

This commandment is actually the be-all and end-all of the commandments. It tells us that we should look to no other person or thing than God Himself for our ultimate meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

 

Are the Ten Commandments actually a Biblical course in character growth?

The first commandment begins a logical sequence of challenges to faith and obedience that produce a process of spiritual and emotional growth to maturity.  The next commandment, which deals with the making of images, only becomes relevant when a person has not remained dependent upon God as the source and means and end of his life, and so builds for himself or looks to some other source, or finds some other means of strength that becomes a 'god' to him.

 

How does emotional pain and abuse affect a person’s ability to accept support and comfort?

God had to release Israel from bondage before He could give them the commandments. He knew that the bondage had caused bitterness in their souls by reason of their cruel taskmasters in Egypt, and His loving response to them was one of compassion.

God told Moses to tell them of His promises for them, but they were unable to respond. God's most formidable task was to convince them of His love for them, let alone transform them.

 

Why do people resist putting God first in their lives?

We can only be transformed when we see the need for that change of heart and mind, and many people do not realise how much they need to be changed, and so they resist it.

 

Click here to see a chart showing the progression of the Commandments