Exodus: The Ten
The people of Israel experienced the holiness and awesomeness of God.
God invited them into a covenant relationship with him.
Exodus 19:4-6
‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will carefully listen to me and keep my covenant, you will be my own possession out of all the peoples, although the whole earth is mine, 6 and you will be my kingdom of priests and my holy nation.’
Exodus 20:1-6
Then God spoke all these words:
2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery.
3 Do not have other gods besides me.
4 Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth. 5 Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate me, 6 but showing faithful love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commands.
God reminds them of who he is and what he has done for them.
We are redeemed by God, then commanded to obey; our salvation does not depend on our obedience.
Who to Worship
Commandment #1: Do not have other gods besides me.
Matthew 22:37-38
He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”
God is recognizing that there are other gods in this world, but for Israel he is to be the only God they have and worship.
Idolatry is putting something or someone in place of God.
John Calvin: The human heart is an idol factory.
Romans 1:21-23
For though they knew God, they did not glorify him as God or show gratitude. Instead, their thinking became worthless, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man, birds, four-footed animals, and reptiles.
Exodus 20:5
Do not bow in worship to them, and do not serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…
Deuteronomy 6:4-15
“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength… 12 be careful not to forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 13 Fear the Lord your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name. 14 Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you, 15 for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God.”
Questions to ask when seeking to identify our false gods & idols:
• What is most important to me?
• What provides and shapes my identity?
• What brings me the most joy and satisfaction?
• What do I desire most?
• To what do I give my time, money, and heart?
Pastor Mike’s prayer for Soma in 2021
Father, help us to see you clearly, trust you fully, seek you diligently, obey you completely, and reject all idolatry as we worship you alone.
1 John 5:21
Little children, guard yourselves from idols.
How to Worship
Commandment #2: Do not make images with which to worship.
Exodus 20:4
Do not make an idol for yourself, whether in the shape of anything in the heavens above or on the earth below or in the waters under the earth.
The Second Commandment is “do not make an image or shape to represent me” because nothing can represent God.
Exodus 32:4-5
He took the gold from them, fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made it into an image of a calf. Then they said, “Israel, these are your gods, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of it and made an announcement: “There will be a festival to the Lord tomorrow.”
We must worship God as he is, not as we envision him or would like him to be.