Cities, states, and nations have laws that are in place for the protection and well being of it's citizens. These laws also are a reflection of the character of the lawmakers/government.
In the same way, God has given us laws that serve to uphold order, and to protect the property of, and the persons, whom He has created, and of whom He is the rightful sovereign. Likewise, these laws are a direct reflection of the righteous character of God. Laws that reflect His goodness, justice and holy being.
We can find these laws in the book of Exodus, chapter twenty. I am using the NASB translation of the Bible.
1. You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3).
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving kindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments (Exodus 20:4-6).
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain (Exodus 20:7).
Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is within them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy (Exodus 20:8-11).
These first four commandments deal with God, and how we are to relate to Him. They prohibit the worship of any other gods, the making of images and idols for the worship of any gods. Because He is God, He demands the utmost honor and respect. We are not to use His name in a careless, flippant, or vulgar way. Most people would not use the name of their spouse as a curse word, but look how the world uses the name of God to curse and swear, showing that they have no reverence, no fear of the Lord. God desires that one day in seven is to be set aside from our normal activities and pursuits, and to be used to worship Him. This actually is a blessing to man (Mark 2:27), as we find time to be refreshed in the presence of the Lord, and rest from our labors.
These laws can be summed up as the love that we show to God. We are to love Him with all that we are. All of our hearts, souls, minds and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5, Matthew 22:37-38). Notice that Jesus upholds the greatest commandment that is first given in Deuteronomy 6:5!
The next group of commandments deal with how we treat one another. They are also summed up in the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18, Matthew 22:39). Once again Jesus upholds the law, from Old testament to New.
These laws are as follows.
5. Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you (Exodus 20:12).
6. You shall not murder (Exodus 20:13).
7. You shall not commit adultery (Exodus 20:14).
8. You shall not steal (Exodus 20:15).
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16).
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife or his male servant or his female servant or his ox or his donkey or anything that belongs to your neighbor (Exodus 20:17).
As you read through the Old testament you will find many of the various laws found within it are based upon these ten laws given here. Jesus stated that the law and prophets are summed up in what we call the golden rule. Treat others in the same way that you wish them to treat you (Matthew 7:12).
Once again, can you see anything unjust or unfair about these laws? Is God being too hard on us to give us such laws? Is God acting as a tyrant in desiring our love and adoration of Him? Is it unjust for Him to prohibit the worship of anything but Him, to prohibit the blasphemous use of His holy name?
And again, in our relations with one another, is it wrong for God to expect us to treat one another with love and respect? Is is wrong of Him to desire children to obey and respect their parents, for people to respect the life and property of another?
God is a righteous God. Remember, He only does what is right, at all times. His laws are totally just and fair, and He has every right to expect us to obey Him.
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