Crash Course for Ex-Slaves
Theme of the Week: Liberating Commandments
Jonathan Cleveland
Monday, April 21, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: "I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt" Exodus 20:2).Bonus Reading: Exodus 19:3-8 32:15-16
When God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites, they were just beginning their first experience with freedom. They'd been slaves in Egypt for hundreds of years; generations had lived and died within a slave culture. Think about what they must have felt when they were freed: at first, ecstasy—then, as reality set in, confusion and anxiety. These people had never had to answer questions such as: Where do I work? Where should I live? How do I own land? What if someone takes something I want? What to do if I don't like someone?
Freedom was a new concept. So into that chaos God reminded them of who he is and where they just came from. Then he gave them commandments to help them learn to live in freedom and remain there.
They needed to know that only one God should be worshiped. They needed to know that respect for others' lives, property, and families allowed everyone in their community to enjoy their newfound liberty. They needed to know that stealing, cheating, and lying would only put them back into bondage to their selfish desires. This was just the beginning of God revealing freedom to humanity.
—Jonathan Cleveland in Focus on the Family
My Response: If I start to question a command of God, I'll first consider how it will keep me free from bondage.
Adapted from Focus on the Family (8/07) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Help me, Lord, to experience the freedom of living within the confines of Your precepts.
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