How God Gave the 10 Commandments

The Giving of the Ten Commandments
Exodus 20:1-26
INTRODUCTION: The giving of the law brought Israel into a unique relationship with God. As it pertained to Israel’s relationship with God, the law was to give them the knowledge of sin and offer a temporal purification of the flesh for the sake of fellowship. Yet, the law also served to elevate Israel in the sight of the heathen nations surrounding the land of promise (Deuteronomy 4:5-8).
I. THE GIVING OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Exodus 20:1-17)
A. Introductory Notes
1. Their identity—the “ten commandments” (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 4:13; Deuteronomy 10:4).
2. Their classifications—these commandments are considered the foundation of the moral part of the Mosaic law; the following division is a practical way to look at the law.
a. Moral Law—deals with moral right and wrong
b. Civil Law—deals with social relationships
c. Ceremonial Law—deals with sacrifices, feasts, etc.
3. Their division—the ten commandments easily divide into two sections (see Matthew 22:36-40):
a. Man’s relationship to God (first four commandments) (see Matthew 22:37-38)
b. Man’s relationship to man (last six commandments) (see Matthew 22:39)