Ob and In:
(1) The Law is to remind Israel that they belonged to God
v.8 Remember...set it apart as holy
(NET) To set this day apart as holy taught Israel the difference between the holy and the profane, that there was something higher than daily life.
While the first 2 commandments prohibited Israel from worshipping other God, this commandment prohibited Israel from being distracted from daily life.
10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God v.11 ...He rested on the 7th day; therefore the LORD...set it apart as holy
(NET) It required Israel to enter into the life of God, to share his Sabbath. It gave them a chance to recall the work of the Creator.
(2) The Law is for the nation to model after God
v.12 Honor your parent...
(NET) The promise here is national rather than individual, although it is certainly true that the blessing of life was promised for anyone who was obedient to God’s commands (Deut 4:1; 8:1, etc.). But as W. C. Kaiser (“Exodus,” EBC 2:424) summarizes, the land that was promised was the land of Canaan, and the duration of Israel in the land was to be based on morality and the fear of God as expressed in the home (Deut 4:26, 33, 40; 32:46–47). The captivity was in part caused by a breakdown in this area (Ezek 22:7, 15). Malachi would announce at the end of his book that Elijah would come at the end of the age to turn the hearts of the children and the parents toward each other again.
Same purpose for not murdering, not committing adultery, no stealing, no lying in the court. Without these laws, the society as a whole is not fitted to model God.
Reflection: Am I willing to give myself back to God? Separated from other idols and even from being distracted by daily living?
Is the way I live a good witness to others Who God is?
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