Monday, October 15, 2012

The second table is the first table

The first of the two tablets Moses brought down from Sinai contained all the laws concerned God, have no other God's before me, do not make or worship idols, do not take His name in vain, honor His sabbath. The second table of the law is traditionally understood as referring to men: honor your father and mother, do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet.
But of course having phrased it that way: traditionally referring to men, you know what I'm about to say next- I find the Old Testament, particularly the book of Malachi to make a strong case that these commands are also applying to God, and we should be understanding the commands in relating to Him.

Honor your father and mother? Malachi 1:6a "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am a father, where is my honor? And if I am a master, where is my fear?"

Do not steal? Malachi 3:8b "You are robbing Me. But you say, 'How have we robbed you?' In your tithes and contributions. "

Do not bear false witness? Malachi 2:7-8 "For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts. But you have turned aside from the way. You have caused many to stumble by your instruction. You have corrupted the covenant of Levi, says the LORD of hosts" (The priests are not giving a faithful relay of God's word.)

Do not covet? (this one is more indirect, they want what they are not getting, what belongs to God) see Mal 1:9 "And now entreat the favor of God, that he may be gracious to us. With such a gift from your hand, will he show favor to any of you? says the LORD of hosts." 

Do not commit adultery? Malachi 2:11 "For Judah has profaned the sanctuary of the LORD, which he loves, and has married the daughter of a foreign god."
Although I will say that Jeremiah 3:20 is far more explicit, "Surely, as a treacherous wife leaves her husband, so have you been treacherous to me, O house of Israel, declares the LORD.'"

Murder? Well that's pretty hard to point to considering God is Spirit, but there is the murder of Jesus.

Some food for thought. 

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