An exhortation to the congregation of Holy Trinity, delivered by Pastor Brian Phillips on April 29, 2018.
“And God spoke all these words, saying, ‘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 20:1-3).
When God delivered the Hebrews from the land of Egypt, He brought them out with signs and wonders, with plagues that were designed to defeat the gods of Egypt (as we’ve seen in past sermons). Each of the ten plagues corresponded to an Egyptian god as do each of the Ten Commandments. And, once the Hebrews were delivered from Egypt and were journeying to the Promised Land, God delivered His law to them – the Ten Commandments.
God was establishing Israel as a people – removing them from the gods and laws of Egypt and establishing them under His Law.
Notice the opening words – “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.” Two important details to notice: first, God’s Law is rooted in His mercy. We are to look at His commandments through the lens of His deliverance. God gives us His commands because He loves us and has delivered His people from bondage. Obeying God’s commandments brings freedom, not bondage.
Second, God’s commandments are a reflection of who He is. Notice the contrast – verse 2 begins “I…” and each of the commandments are directed to “You” – the people of God. Because He is the Lord our God who delivers us, we live by His commandments, which continue to guard us from the bondage of sin. Let us confess our sins...