"You yourselves have seen...how I bore you on eagles's wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples... These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.'"
As we come to Exodus 19, three months have passed since the Israelites had been delivered from their bondage. A lot had happened in those three months. There was so much they were beginning to see about this God who had taken them out of Egypt. They often struggled, but the LORD was patient and pursuing. Oh, how He wanted them to commit themselves to Him in trust and love. And now, camping at the foot of Mt. Sinai, the Children of Israel were about to learn one of the most important things concerning their relationship with Him, and that was the giving of the law. Here, most of us picture a court scene, with judge and judgement. And, sadly, this is what many think of God, and so the tendancy is to push back on "the law". But that was never God's heart. "The Ten Commandments", as we have come to know them are actually more like wedding vows. They're filled with the heart of love rather than law, as we have known law. Understood in this light, these are now not unwanted demands, but sheer delight. God, in His great love toward us, wants to enter into this beautiful and holy relationship with us. You feel this as God prepares to give "the law". He first meets with Moses on the mountain and tells him to go back down and tell the people, "You yourselves have seen...how I bore you on eagles's wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples... These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.'" Little do we understand how intense God's heart is for us. And He looks for no less from us. No groom or bride ever held back on the vows they were about to take, looking at them as something negative. No! They saw these vows as the very heart of their marriage. The same is true when we understand "The Ten Commandmands" in this light. The heart that understands this, responds with joy to the One they love, wanting to, longing to, and delighted to take "The Vows" (The Ten Commandments) in Exodus 20, without reservation, giving themselves fully to their God, gladly giving 100% commitment in love, faithfulness and purity all of their days. That's just the nature of this kind of relationship and they know it and embrace it. Why would anyone expect any less? We shouldn't as husband and wife, nor should we with God. This is what it means to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." People ought to note one thing about our relationship with Him: "Behold, how they love one another."
As we come to Exodus 19, three months have passed since the Israelites had been delivered from their bondage. A lot had happened in those three months. There was so much they were beginning to see about this God who had taken them out of Egypt. They often struggled, but the LORD was patient and pursuing. Oh, how He wanted them to commit themselves to Him in trust and love. And now, camping at the foot of Mt. Sinai, the Children of Israel were about to learn one of the most important things concerning their relationship with Him, and that was the giving of the law. Here, most of us picture a court scene, with judge and judgement. And, sadly, this is what many think of God, and so the tendancy is to push back on "the law". But that was never God's heart. "The Ten Commandments", as we have come to know them are actually more like wedding vows. They're filled with the heart of love rather than law, as we have known law. Understood in this light, these are now not unwanted demands, but sheer delight. God, in His great love toward us, wants to enter into this beautiful and holy relationship with us. You feel this as God prepares to give "the law". He first meets with Moses on the mountain and tells him to go back down and tell the people, "You yourselves have seen...how I bore you on eagles's wings, and brought you to Myself. Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples... These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.'" Little do we understand how intense God's heart is for us. And He looks for no less from us. No groom or bride ever held back on the vows they were about to take, looking at them as something negative. No! They saw these vows as the very heart of their marriage. The same is true when we understand "The Ten Commandmands" in this light. The heart that understands this, responds with joy to the One they love, wanting to, longing to, and delighted to take "The Vows" (The Ten Commandments) in Exodus 20, without reservation, giving themselves fully to their God, gladly giving 100% commitment in love, faithfulness and purity all of their days. That's just the nature of this kind of relationship and they know it and embrace it. Why would anyone expect any less? We shouldn't as husband and wife, nor should we with God. This is what it means to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." People ought to note one thing about our relationship with Him: "Behold, how they love one another."
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