The God Who Speaks His Words

The Ten Commandments are literally the "ten words" which God himself spoke to all the people. They reveal his character and are the torah (instruction) for the covenant community of Israel, marking them off from the other nations by the presence and wisdom of God whose Law they are (Deut. 4:6-8). Though revealed as the heart of God's covenant gift to Israel, they are not only for Israel. Because they are the torah of the God who has created the universe, they are universally binding. They are the way of life, and express the great commandments of love towards God and love towards one's neighbour. However, as the Law comes into contact with sinful flesh, it provokes sin, defines it as transgression, and condemns us. The Law is holy and good in every respect, but in terms of the plan and purpose of salvation history, the Mosaic covenant functions to shut us up to grace by shutting down any possibility of establishing a righteousness acceptable to God on the basis of the Law. In this way the covenant made as Sinai serves the covenant of promise made to Abraham.